Estonia Transit Visa: Eligibility, Requirements and Application
Seeking to know what visa can help you travel through Estonia to another country? You may need to consider an Estonia transit visa. Not sure on how to get one? This blog post will guide you on the steps, requirements, cost, and other things related to the visa.
Estonia is a small European country located on the Baltic region. The country has a population of about 1.3 million, which consists of Estonians, Finns, Ukrainians, Russians, Belarusians, etc. Russians account for up to 25% of its total population.
Generally speaking, the Estonian transit visa serves as an authorization for travelers who are non-citizens of Schengen Area countries to travel through Estonia for a limited period of time. Travelers can apply for the visa at an Estonian embassy or consulate.
Keep reading to explore more information on Estonia transit visa.
What is an Estonia transit visa?
An Estonia transit visa is a type of visa that permits travelers to journey through an airport in Estonia for a short period of time. Citizens of Iran, Ghana, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iraq, Pakistan, Congo, Somalia, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Ethiopia, need to get a transit visa to take a trip through an Estonian airport to their destination country.
To apply for an Estonia transit visa, you have to visit an Estonian embassy or consulate nearest to you.
Processing time of Estonia transit visa
The Republic of Estonia is renowned for its speedy visa processing times. If you are planning to travel through an Estonia airport and you need the country’s transit visa, your best bet is to apply in advance.
Thus, you can get an Estonia transit visa in just two weeks.
Estonia transit visa fee
Travelers who want to travel through an Estonian airport to another country may need to get a transit visa. This type of visa requires them to pay one of the following fees, as applicable.
- For children aged between 6 and 12 years: €40
- For adults: €80
- For applicants who are Russians, Armenians, or Azerbaijanis: €35
Keep in mind that you can pay the visa application fee at an Estonian embassy or consulate.
Estonia transit visa requirements
Without doubt, you’ll need to submit the following documents during the application process of your transit visa to travel to another country through an Estonian airport.
- A filled out and signed Estonia visa application form
- A passport, which should feature a minimum of two (2) blank pages. Besides, your passport must have a validity period not less than 3 months.
- Two (2) photographs that conforms to Schengen visa photo guidelines, and was taken not more than 6 months ago
- Evidence of visa application fee payment
- Travel insurance, which must be valid, and able to provide coverage of up to €30,000
- Travel itinerary to prove your trip plan to the country
Exemptions in applying for Estonia transit visa
The following persons do not need a transit visa to take a trip via an Estonian airport to another country.
- Persons who are citizens and residents of one of the countries in Schengen Area. Such countries include Estonia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Slovenia, Germany, Norway, Slovakia, Latvia, Spain, Luxembourg, Italy, Switzerland, Malta, Portugal, Hungary, France, Liechtenstein, Sweden, Greece, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Lithuania.
- Persons who have a diplomatic passport
- Persons who are either a citizen or close relation to a native of Switzerland, or an EU/EEA member state
- Natives of countries that is a member of Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation (ICAO). In this case, you must also work as a flight crew member.
How to apply for an Estonia transit visa
The following are four (4) steps you can follow in applying for a transit visa to take a trip through an Estonian airport to another country.
- Visit an Estonian embassy or consulate in your country of residence
- Complete visa application form and pay fee
- Submit all supporting documents
- Wait for the embassy or consulate’s decision
STEP 1: Visit an Estonian embassy or consulate in your country of residence
As the first step to apply for this transit visa, you need to locate an Estonian embassy or consulate in your home country. Be sure to take along all required documents while visiting the embassy or consulate of Estonia in your home country.
It is also important to complete the apply on time in order to facilitate a quicker decision by the embassy.
STEP 2: Complete visa application form and pay fee
By visiting an Estonian embassy or consulate, you can easily complete obtain and fill out the visa application form, as well as submit it. To process your application, you have to pay a fee ranging from €35 to €80.
Without doubt, the embassy won’t consider your application if you refuse to pay the fee.
STEP 3: Submit all supporting documents
#3 out of the 4 steps to apply for an Estonia transit visa is to submit copies of all required documentation while still at the embassy or consulate. Keep in mind that the embassy will not be able to process your application without any of these documents.
These include your valid passport, recent photographs, travel insurance, travel itinerary, among others.
STEP 4: Wait for the embassy or consulate’s decision
The last step to take to apply for an Estonia transit visa requires you to do nothing but wait. Hence, you’ll have to wait until the embassy or consulate takes a decision on your visa application.
This often takes a maximum of two (2) weeks.
Duration of an Estonia transit visa
Estonia transit visas have a very short period of validity that does not exceed 24 hours. This means that you can stay within the premises of an Estonian airport for up to 24 hours. During this period, you need to change flight to your destination country.
In a situation where you have to pass the night, be sure not to leave the airport premises.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who needs to get an Estonia transit visa?
To transit through the Republic of Estonia on your way to another country, you need a valid transit visa. This type of visa is valid for 24 hours, and is obtainable at Estonian embassies or consulates. If you intend staying longer in Estonia, you’re required to obtain a residence permit.
How can I get Estonia tourist visa?
You can get an Estonia tourist visa by submitting an application to the Estonian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. During the process, you’ll need to provide certain evidence, which include a flight ticket, travel agenda or itinerary.
How long does it take to get Estonia transit visa?
The process of getting this transit visa takes up to fourteen days. Hence, you need to consider the waiting period when planning to apply for a transit visa to travel through an Estonian airport to en route to another country.
Is it easy to get an Estonia transit visa?
Yes, it is relatively to obtain a transit visa to journey via an Estonian airport to reach another country. You’ll surely have to meet a number of requirements to qualify for this visa.
Is transit visa free to another country through an Estonian airport?
It depends. If you’re a citizen of a country in Schengen Area, you don’t need a visa to travel through an Estonia to another country. Furthermore, citizens of countries of countries that are not part of Schengen Area must apply for an Estonia transit visa in order to board another international flight from an Estonian airport.
Who are ineligible to apply for an Estonia transit visa?
Travelers who hold a valid Schengen visa do not need to apply for an Estonia transit visa. There are some other categories of people who are ineligible to apply for an Estonia transit visa. Among which are persons who have a criminal record, have previously been denied an Estonian visa, or pose as a threat to the security of Estonians. Additionally, persons who don’t have a valid travel document or passport are ineligible to apply for a transit visa to journey via an Estonian airport in reaching another country.
When should I apply for an Estonia transit visa?
The most appropriate time to apply for a transit visa to journey through an Estonian airport is two (2) weeks before you intended date of travel. Besides, there are some other things you should know before applying for this visa. These include possessing a valid passport, travel insurance, among others.
When do Estonia transit visas expire?
The transit visa issued to nationals of non-Schengen Area countries is usable for just 24 hours after your arrival to an Estonian airport. This means that the visa will become invalid and unusable after the 24-hour period.
Conclusion
In conclusion, an Estonia transit visa is the best option for travelers who intend to journey through an Estonian airport en route to their destination country. Its application process is easily understood, and the visa is valid for only a short period of time.
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