Estonia is an EU member state that is becoming increasingly popular among international students. English is widely spoken, and Estonian higher education institutions offer more than 150 degree programs taught fully in English.
Estonian universities offer programs at a range of tuition levels. Students planning to study in Estonia should check whether they need a long-stay D-type visa, a temporary residence permit for study, or a temporary right of residence. The correct route depends on their nationality and the length of their studies.
In this article, the term “student visa” refers to the long-stay D-type visa commonly used for studies.
Steps on Applying for an Estonian Student Visa
Here is how third-country nationals generally apply for an Estonian long-stay D-type visa and, when required, a temporary residence permit for study. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens follow a different residence-registration process.
Step 1. Apply at an Estonian University
To obtain a long-stay D-type visa for studies, you will need to prove the purpose of your journey. Apply to an Estonian university first so that you can submit evidence of your admission with your visa application.
Step 2. Collect All the Other Visa Application Requirements
Along with evidence of your admission, prepare the required visa documents. These include your travel document, a completed and signed application form, a color photograph, travel medical insurance, proof of sufficient financial means, the required additional forms, and a travel-booking confirmation.
Foreign public documents submitted with a D-visa application must be legalized or apostilled and translated into Estonian or English when required.
Step 3. Book an Appointment at the Estonian Embassy or Visa Application Center
Contact an Estonian representation that handles visa applications before traveling to submit your application. Depending on your location, you may be able to submit your documents through an authorized VFS Global office.
Step 4. Submit the Visa Requirements and Pay the Application Fee
Submit your D-visa application in person. The state fee for a long-stay D-type visa application is EUR 120. Follow the payment instructions provided by the Estonian representation or the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Your biometric data will also be collected when required. This generally includes ten fingerprints. Certain applicants, including children younger than 12, are exempt from fingerprinting.
The consular officer may request additional documents if further information is needed to assess your application.
Step 5. Wait for Your Visa
When an application is submitted through an Estonian representation abroad, visa processing may take 10 to 30 calendar days.
Step 6. Get Your Visa and Travel to Estonia
Once your D-type visa has been issued, you may travel to Estonia. A D-type visa may be issued for a stay of up to 365 days within 12 consecutive months. It also permits travel in other Schengen member states for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Step 7. Apply for a Temporary Residence Permit
If you are a third-country national and your degree studies in Estonia will last longer than one year, apply for a temporary residence permit for study promptly after your arrival. A study residence permit is intended for degree-seeking students enrolled in full-time studies who maintain the required academic workload.
Book an appointment with the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board and follow its current residence-permit instructions. Your educational institution will submit the required institutional invitation directly to the Police and Border Guard Board when applicable.
Prepare the current application forms and supporting documents, which may include the following:
- The completed residence-permit application form and any required additional forms
- Your identity document and evidence of admission
- Confirmation that the state fee has been paid
- The required photograph
- Proof of sufficient legal income and health insurance, if requested
For a study residence permit, the legal-income threshold is EUR 800 per person per month. Income evidence should show the amount, regularity, and sources of your income during the six months before your application. By signing the application, you confirm that you have sufficient legal income and the required insurance. The Police and Border Guard Board may still request supporting evidence.
Step 8. Arrive at Your Residence Permit Appointment Ahead of Time
Follow the arrival-time instructions in your booking confirmation and bring the documents required under the current Police and Border Guard Board instructions. Your personal presence is required when submitting the application and collecting your residence-permit card.
The state fee for considering a temporary-residence-permit application is EUR 225 when the application is submitted in Estonia and EUR 255 when it is submitted at an Estonian foreign mission.
Step 9. Wait for Your Residence Permit Card
The official Study in Estonia portal states that a decision is generally made within two months after a complete application has been accepted or any deficiencies have been resolved. Because document checks and card collection can add time, apply promptly and follow the instructions you receive from the Police and Border Guard Board.
Documents Needed for Estonian Student Visa Applications
Visa and residence rules depend on your nationality and the duration of your studies. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens do not need an entry visa. If they stay in Estonia for longer than three months, they must register their residence and obtain a temporary right of residence.
Some third-country nationals may also enter Estonia without a visa for a short stay. However, visa-free entry does not automatically cover studies lasting longer than 90 days. Check the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa-exemption guidance and the instructions that apply to your situation.
Third-country nationals applying for a long-stay D-type visa for studies should prepare the following core documents:
Valid Passport
Your travel document must have been issued within the previous ten years. It must contain at least two blank pages.
Your travel document must remain valid for at least three months after the expiration date of your requested visa.
Completed Application Form
Complete the visa application form through the official online application portal.
Print and sign the completed application form before submitting it with your supporting documents.
Passport Photo
Submit one color photograph measuring 35 by 45 mm. The photograph must meet the applicable requirements and must not be older than six months.
Insurance Policy Valid in Estonia
Your travel medical insurance must cover costs related to medical treatment resulting from illness or injury during the validity period of your requested visa. As a rule, the insurance must remain valid for the entire requested visa period. If Estonian health insurance begins after your arrival, your travel-insurance coverage may end when the Estonian coverage becomes valid.
Proof of Journey Purpose
Because you will be studying in Estonia, submit evidence of your admission to an Estonian educational institution.
Proof of Subsistence
For a long-stay D-type visa for studies, you must demonstrate sufficient financial means of EUR 880 per month. Your evidence must include income information for the three months immediately before your application and show the amount, regularity, and sources of your income.
Check the instructions provided by the relevant Estonian representation if you plan to rely on family support, a scholarship, or another source of funding.
Proof of Accommodation
Be prepared to provide evidence of your accommodation, such as a dormitory confirmation, rental agreement, or temporary lodging reservation. Follow the document instructions provided by the Estonian representation handling your application.
We hope that this article on getting a student visa in Estonia was helpful! If you are interested in studying in Europe, make sure to check out Available Programs in Europe for International Students.
