Estonia Schengen Visa - Eligibility, Requirements and Application

As one of the Schengen zones, citizens non-Schengen areas must apply for an Estonia Schengen visa. This is a short stay visa that allows you to visit Estonia or other Schengen areas for up to 90 days. This means that you must meet the border requirements of these countries in Europe. Moreover, you must also meet the eligibility to obtain a Schengen visa.

The 26 Schengen countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Therefore, you can visit any of them with a Schengen visa. However, you can only go there for certain reasons. For example, a short medical visit and a short business trip. Otherwise, you will find another Estonia visa type to visit Estonia.

What is the Estonia Schengen visa?

An Estonia Schengen visa is a short-term visa that allows foreign citizens to visit all Schengen territories. In addition, they can also visit other nations outside the Schengen areas. These countries allow holders of Schengen nations to visit their countries for short visits.

Eligibility for Estonia Schengen Visa

Only citizens of non-Schengen countries qualify for this visa. However, such citizens must meet the following conditions:

You must be visiting Estonia only for a short period.
You must not be a citizen of EU countries.

Exemptions from Estonia Schengen visa

The following group of people are exempted from applying for a Schengen visa. They include:

Citizens of EU or Schengen countries
Children below 6 years
If you are travelling for scientific purposes
If you are travelling for a cultural; or academic purposes
When travelling with a non-profit organization

General requirements for Estonia Schengen visa

To get an Estonia Schengen visa, you will need to meet certain requirements. These requirements include some documents that you must present to the embassy. Without these documents, you may be denied a visa to enter Estonia. The general documents include:

Valid passport
Two passport-sized photos
Application form
Fee payment
Health insurance
Bank statements
A cover letter
Flight itinerary
Proof of accommodation
Civil status documents

1: Valid passport

First of all, you must have a valid passport. This will help to confirm your identity. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months from the day of application. Secondly, you will have a blank space in your passport for your visa.

2. Two passport-sized photos

In addition to the passport, you will add two photos. These photos must be the same in size and colour. Moreover, it must be according to the Schengen visa requirements.

3. Application form

You will also need to fill out an online application form. While filling out forms, you provide the following details including your full name, nationality, duration of stay and purpose of your stay in Estonia.

4. Fee payment

In addition to your application form. You must submit proof of payment for the visa fee. You must pay this before the application process starts. If your visa is denied, you won’t get a refund. However, you can reapply.

5. Health insurance

Another general requirement for Estonia Schengen requirement is Schengen travel insurance. This insurance must cover all your stay in the Schengen zone. The minimum insurance is €30,000.

6. Proof of financial means

You will have to provide proof of financial means. this must be able to carry you for the period you are staying in Estonia. For instance, you must prove that you have a minimum of €100 per day.

7. A cover letter

You will write a cover letter. This will show a detail of your trip to Estonia. The letter will contain the following information:

the purpose of your visit
flying date and time
return date

8. Flight itinerary

This will show a detailed plan of your travel plan to Estonia. Therefore, it must not be an actual flight ticket. Rather, it can just be a flight reservation to Estonia.

9. Proof of accommodation

Another important and compulsory Estonia Schengen visa requirement is proof of accommodation. This will show that you already have a place to stay in Estonia. However, this must not be a hotel reservation. So, it can be a letter from a friend or family member. It can still be a letter from a hospital you are visiting.

10. Civil status documents

Proof of civil status documents will show your marital status. This will show whether you are married, single, separated or divorced. Therefore, you can present any of the following documents as proof of status:

marriage certificate
birth certificate of children
death certificate of spouse
ration card

Specific requirements for Estonia Schengen visa

In addition to the general requirements, you may require other documents. However, these extra documents will depend on the purpose of your travel.

Estonia Schengen visa for visitors/tourists

You will need the following documents if you are applying for an Estonia Schengen visa as a tourist or a visitor. They include:

Letter of invitation from your host
Bank statement for the past 6 months
Your host’s passport copies

Estonia Schengen visa for business purposes

For an Estonia business purpose, you will need the following documents. They include:

A letter of invitation from an Estonian company
A cover letter from your employer stating the purpose of your travel
Bank statement of your business for the past 6 months
Original copy of memorandum and article of association
Document showing the coverage of the visitor

Estonia Schengen visa for medical purposes

If on the other hand, you are visiting Estonia for medical treatment. Then, the following Estonia Schengen documents will be needed. They include:

Medical report from your local doctor
A letter from the Estonian hospital confirming the appointment
Proof of payment for medical treatment

Estonia Schengen visa for cultural, sports, film crew or religious purposes

If you are travelling for any of the purposes above, you will need the following documents:

Letter of invitation
Name of people going with you
Duration of your stay in Estonia
Purpose of your travel
Travel plan

Estonia Schengen visa for members of official delegations

If you are travelling to Estonia as a member of a delegation. Then, you will need the following documents:

A copy of the official invitation
The applicant’s identity
Purpose of journey
Duration of stay
Proof of accommodation

Estonia Schengen visa for the purpose of study, training, research, or internship

Of course, you visit Estonia for educational purposes. However, you can only stay for 3 months. Therefore, if you are travelling for these purposes, you will need the documents below. They include:

Proof of enrollment for the course
Certificate showing that you completed a course
Proof of financial means

Estonia Schengen visa for the spouse of an Estonian citizen

You will need the following documents to visit an Estonian spouse:

Estonian citizenship
Marriage certificate
Family record book

Estonia airport transit visa

Generally, before you can stop at an Estonian airport, you will need some documents. Therefore, you will need the following Estonia Schengen visa requirements. They include:

Your visa
Entry permit in the transit country

Estonia Schengen visa requirements for minors

If a minor is travelling to Estonia. There are extra documents needed. Therefore, it is necessary to know the required documents. Otherwise, you may be denied your visa. hence, you will need the following documents for minors. They include:

Evidence of regular income from your parents
Consent of parents in notarized form

Steps to apply for an Estonia Schengen visa

Though you have known all the documents you need. Still, it is necessary that you know the right steps to follow. therefore, with the steps below, you can get your Estonia Schengen visa easily.

Step 1: Find out if there is an Estonian embassy or consulate in your country

Of course, all your visa applications will be done through an embassy. Therefore, you find out if you have one in your country. Otherwise, you look for the country where you can use the Embassy there.

Step 2: Contact the embassy for an appointment

Secondly, you must contact the embassy and book an appointment. Normally, if you do not book an appointment, the embassy won’t attend to you. Therefore, before you visit the embassy, you must contact them.

Step 3: Fill out the application form

Usually, you must fill out an online allocation form. While filling out this form, you must provide correct information about yourself, the duration of your stay and the purpose of your stay.

Step 4: Gather your documents

Of course, your documents must be submitted for you to get an Estonian Schengen visa. therefore, before you attend the interview, you must gather all the documents. So, while going for your interview, you must go with them.

Sten 5: Attend the visa interview

Once you have finished filling out your application. then, prepare for your interview. You must be on time for the interview. However, make sure that all your documents are ready. This is because you will submit all your documents and application during this time.

Step 6: Your waiting period

So, once you have finished the other processes, y will have to wait for the embassy to process them. Of course, you must be ready to send extra information. Make sure that you make all the necessary payments before this time. It takes about 15 days to process your application if your documents are complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Estonia Schengen visa fee?

The fee for Estonia Schengen fee depends on the type of visa and the person applying. However, the cost is as follows:

€80 for adults
€40 for minors
€35 for citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia

How long can I stay in Estonia with a Schengen visa?

With a Schengen visa, you stay a maximum of 90ndays within 180 days in Estonia. However, depending on the type of visa, you can only enter Estonia once or twice within this period. For instance, a single-entry visa allows you to visit Estonia only once. However, with a multi-entry visa, you can enter Estonia any time you wish within this period.

Can I extend an Estonia Schengen visa?

Yes, you can extend your Estonia Schengen visa. However, the reason must be strong. So, you can extend your visa for the reasons listed below. They include:

Personal reasons like a marriage ceremony, death of a loved one or the intention of helping a friend in need.
If there is a natural disaster in your country.
Then, for serious political issues.

Can I study in Estonia with a Schengen visa?

Yes, it is possible to study in Estonia with a Schengen visa. However, this is possible for a course lasting for less than 3 months. Thus, if you plan to study for a degree, you must apply for a study permit in Estonia.

Conclusion

In summary, it is never easy to get an Estonia Schengen visa. This is because there is a strict rule guiding this type of visa. However, with good guidance, you can obtain this visa in less than 15 days. Moreover, the requirements and steps above will be enough for you to get your visa without stress.