How to obtain an Estonian visa?

Documents Required for an Estonian Visa

There are several documents required when applying for an Estonian visa.

• A valid passport. The passport must be valid for at least three months from the date of return and have two blank pages. Include a copy of previous visas (if any).
• Application Form. You need to fill out the application form online, print it, and sign it at the end. Make sure to fill out the application form truthfully and with all the necessary information.
• Two passport-sized photos. A full-face photo with a bright background. The photo must have been taken within the last six months and comply with the Schengen visa photo rules.
• Schengen Health Insurance. Valid health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 in Estonia and the Schengen area.
• Cover letter. The cover letter should explain the purpose of your visit to Estonia, the flight date and time, the return date, etc.
• Proof of accommodation. A document proving you have a place to stay in Estonia. This document can be:
• Marital status. A document proving your marital status if you are married (marriage certificate), if you have a child (child's birth certificate), or your spouse's death certificate (if applicable).
• Financial status. This is a document issued by your bank and must prove that you have at least €100 for each day of your stay in Estonia.
• Biometrics (fingerprints). You will need to submit your fingerprints when you hand in the required documents to the embassy or consulate.

Estonian Visa Application Process

1. Contact the Estonian consulate/embassy in your country and make an appointment. If there is no Estonian consulate or embassy in your country, you can contact the consulate of another Schengen country that represents Estonia's interests and make an appointment.
2. Fill out the application form. Fill out the application form through Estonia's online visa system. Download it, sign it at the end, and submit it to the consulate or embassy along with all other requested documents.
3. Pay the fee. You will need to pay the application fee when submitting the documents. The cost of the fee varies depending on the type of visa you are applying for or your nationality. Be sure to attach the payment receipt to the other requested documents.
4. Submit the documents. Submit all the required documents listed below.
5. Wait for a response. You will receive a response from the embassy or consulate via email or SMS with your visa result.

Get Information on Becoming an E-Resident and Opening a Company in Estonia

Estonian Visa Application Duration

The processing time for an Estonian visa is 15 to 60 days. However, the processing time depends on when you submit the documents or your specific situation. Therefore, make sure you follow all the requested steps to avoid any delays in your visa response.

What Can I Do If My Estonian Visa Application is Rejected?

If your Estonian visa application is rejected, you can:

• Apply for the same visa once more.
• Apply for a Schengen visa to another Schengen country and visit Estonia with the same visa.
• Appeal the decision. You can appeal the decision within 30 days following your visa rejection by following the instructions in the visa rejection letter. You will need to pay a fee of €20 when you appeal the rejection decision.

The main reasons your Estonian visa could be rejected are:

• If you have a past or current criminal record.
• If you have fake travel documents.
• If you have a damaged passport.
• If any of the required documents are missing.
• If there is any false information in your application form.
• If you do not go to your visa appointment on time.
• If you do not have proof of accommodation.
• If you do not have a return ticket.
• If you lie about the purpose of your visit in your interview.

Estonian Visa Extension

If you want to stay in Estonia for more than three months, you can:

• Apply for a long-stay visa. A long-stay visa will allow you to stay in Estonia for one year. With a long-stay visa, you can work, study, and stay in Estonia.
• Apply for an extension of your Schengen visa. Extensions for a Schengen visa are granted only under specific circumstances, such as humanitarian reasons.

Estonian Visa Fees

You can make the payment of the visa fee at the Estonian embassy/consulate in your country when submitting the documents. However, Estonian visa fees may vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for, your age, or your location.

• The short-stay visa fee is €80.
• The long-stay visa is €100.
• The airport transit visa is €80.
• The Schengen visa for children under 15 years old is €40.

*After completing the fee payment, attach the payment receipt to your Estonian visa application.

Estonian National (Long-Stay) Visas

Estonian long-stay visas are issued for up to one year depending on your purpose of stay. They can be issued for work, study, family reunification, retirement, or investments. Additionally, this type of visa can be extended or converted into a temporary residence permit.

With a long-stay D visa, you can visit other Schengen countries for 90 days.

Facts About Estonia

Some fun facts about Estonia before you embark on your trip:

• More than half of Estonia's territory is covered by forests, so there are very few people there. But this also means that different species consider Estonia their homeland.
• Estonia is known for having Kuressaare, the city with the most spas in the world, with more than 1,200 spa beds.
• In Estonia, there is a sport called Wife Carrying, where men race on obstacle courses while carrying a female teammate.
• Estonia is known for having the highest number of supermodels per capita worldwide.
• Estonia is recognized for having the most extensive collection of national folk songs worldwide, with over 133,000.
• Estonian women and men are considered the third tallest people in the world.