Estonia Work Visa – Eligibility, Requirements and Application
If you are looking for a visa to enable you work in Estonia, you may want to consider the Estonia work visa. This type of visa is known as a “Long-stay D-visa” in the Republic of Estonia.
With an Estonian work visa, foreigners like you can work in any part of the country for up to one year, which is subject to extension when you submit an application.
Before applying for this type of visa, make sure you know everything about it, including its requirements, fees, duration, application process, and more. It is best to submit your application ahead of your desired date of travel.
Estonia is currently a member state of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The country initially gained independence on February 24, 1918. Its residents consists of people of diverse ethic groups, which include Estonians, Finns, Russians, Belarusians, Ukrainians, among others. Indeed, you’ll enjoy coming to work in any of the amazingly great cities in the Republic of Estonia.
Read on find out more.
What is an Estonia work visa?
An Estonia work visa is a type of visa that authorizes a foreigner to travel to Estonia for work purpose. You can apply for this type of visa via the internet from the official website of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
To obtain an Estonia work visa, you’re required to satisfy a number of criteria and requirements. We’ve featured all of these information on this blog post.
Let’s check out the fees involved in getting a work visa for the Republic of Estonia.
Estonia work visa cost
It is without doubt that Estonia is a great place to work and live. In recent years, it has become a preferred destination for job seekers all around the world.
Besides, living and working in the Republic of Estonia has a number of enticing benefits, which includes a low cost of living, stable economy, among others.
Indeed, you must obtain a work visa to travel for employment purpose in any area of the country. This visa costs around €100.
Estonia work visa requirements and eligibility criteria
Foreigners who want to apply for an Estonia work visa must fulfill a number of requirements, as well as legibility criteria.
These include possessing a valid employment contract or agreement, having adequate qualification for the job position, and being in a stable health condition.
The following are list of the documents required while applying for a work visa of the Republic of Estonia.
- A valid passport that has a minimum validity period of 3 months, as well as 2 blank pages for visa stamps by the embassy
- Two (2) recent passport photographs, with light background taken not more than 6 months ago
- Hard copy of visa application form that you’ve filled out all of its required fields and signed on it
- A valid health insurance that worth up to €30.000 upon arrival to Estonia
- Employment contract or agreement, which elaborates on what the job entails, your salary, period of work, and more
- Cover letter to explain your reason to work in Estonia to the embassy
- Proof of criminal record issued by the police in your country of residence
- Personal qualification documents to show that you can perfectly carry out your job roles. Examples of these documents include your educational certificates, Curriculum Vitae, and/or a valid driving license (if necessary)
- Proof of accommodation in Estonia, like a home rental agreement
Estonia work visa processing time
Generally speaking, Estonia has one of the shortest work visa processing times in the world. An Estonia embassy or consulate will take an average of 12 to 14 days to process a foreigner’s work visa. In some cases, it can take up to 30 days.
You can surely apply for an Estonia work visa via the embassy or consulate in your country where you live. Bear in mind that the embassy or consulate won’t consider you for the work visa if you are ineligible for it.
How to apply for an Estonia work visa
To make the process of applying for an Estonian work visa easier for you, these are a number of straightforward steps to guide you in applying for the visa.
- Be sure that your employment has been registered by your employer
- Visit an Estonian embassy or consulate to apply for a work visa
- Submit supporting documents, and wait for processing
STEP 1: Be sure that your employment has been registered by your employer
To apply for an Estonia work visa, the first step is to make sure your employer has completed registration for your employment in the country. If you’ve been able to confirm this, you can proceed to the next step,
STEP 2: Visit an Estonian embassy or consulate to apply for a work visa
The second step to apply for an Estonia work visa is to obtain and fill out the visa application form.
You can get the form from the embassy or consulate of Estonia in your home country, or access it online via the Republic of Estonia Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.
STEP 3: Submit supporting documents, and wait for processing
As #3 out of the 4 steps to apply for an Estonia work visa, you must ensure that all required fields on the application form are properly filled out. Another thing to take note is submitting all documents required by the embassy or consulate for your visa application processing.
Upon arrival to Estonia when your visa has been approved, you need to apply for a residence permit before anything else.
Duration of Estonia work visa
An Estonian work visa is valid for up to 12 months, which counts from its issuance date. When your work visa surpasses its validity period, you need to submit an application for extension.
By extending your work visa, you’ll be able to work legally in the Republic of Estonia for another one (1) year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I work in Estonia?
There are definitely a large number of reasons to work in Estonia. First and foremost, the country is very prosperous, and has a low rate of unemployment. It’s economy is also growing rapidly. Besides, the Estonian government has ensured provision of vast career opportunities. The country also offers a social safety net that covers medical insurance and unemployment benefits. Because of this, Estonia has become a preferred destination for job seeks who want a stable job.
Who needs an Estonia work visa?
If you’re a citizen of a country that is not an EU member, you have to obtain a work visa for authorization to carry out your job duties in Estonia. The process for obtaining a work visa is simple, but it can take few weeks. This makes it important to start the process early for quick processing.
How long does it take to get an Estonia work visa?
The amount of time it takes to get this type of work visa may vary depending on the individual case and the embassy. However, the process should take not more than four weeks.
Does Estonia have embassy in Nigeria?
No, the Republic of Estonia does not have its own embassy in Nigeria. However, the country is represented in Nigeria by the embassy of Belgium, which is located in 9, Usuma Street, Maitama
Abuja. You can call them on +234 806 979 22 33, or send an email to [email protected].
How much is Estonia visa fee in Nigeria?
The cost of applying for an Estonian visa in Nigeria is currently equivalent to ₦43,827.92.
Is Estonia work visa easy to get?
Yes, Estonia is one of the countries in the world that makes it easy for foreigners to get its work visa. There are no limitations to the number of work visas issued, even as the process is quite simple to understand. The main criteria is to have an employment contract from an Estonia-based company or organization.
Is it hard to get a job in Estonia?
No, it is not hard to get a job in Estonia. The country possess a low unemployment rate and a vibrant economy. Estonia also offers several opportunities in the tech sector. Besides, its government gives jobs to qualified foreign workers, which is uncommon in many developed countries. Lastly, you’ll spend less working and living in Estonia, as its cost of living is relatively low.
Who cannot apply for Estonia work visa?
There are a number of persons who are ineligible to get an Estonia work visa. These include citizens of certain countries, as well as foreigners who are ex-convicts. Additionally, you are ineligible to apply for this work visa if you don’t have a valid passport or have been previously deported from the Republic of Estonia.
Conclusion
Above all, the Estonia work visa creates possibilities for foreigners who are looking forward to work and start a career in any part of the country. However, it is necessary to understand the few steps involved in getting the visa. You also have to consider its processing time.
By acting in accordance with every information on this blog post, you’ll surely have a smooth and successful application process.
Thanks for reading!
