Applying for the temporary residence permit
In case if You are an alien, who is not a citizen of the European Union, You may apply for a temporary residence permit:
- for settling with a spouse
- for settling with a close relative: ◦for settling of a minor child with his/her parent
- for settling of an adult child with his/her parent
- for settling of a ward with his/her guardian
- for settling of a parent/grandparent with his/her child/grandchild
- for study
- for employment
- for business
- in case of substantial public interest
- extension of residence permits in existence of legal income
An alien, who is applying for a residence permit, is subjected to the immigration quota of Estonia for aliens, which shall not exceed 0,1% of Estonian permanent population in one year.
An alien shall not be subjected to the immigration quota, if he or she is:
- a citizen of the United States of America or Japan;
- applying for residence permit for the purpose of making a research or study.
Long-term residence permit
In case if you are an alien who is not a European Union citizen, then you can apply for a long-term residence permit, if:
- you have resided in Estonia permanently for five years on the basis of temporary residence permit directly prior submitting an application for long-term residence permit;
- you hold valid temporary residence permit;
- the data of your place of residence have been entered into the population register of Estonia;
- you have permanent legal income for subsistence in Estonia;
- you are covered with health insurance (Eesti haigekassa);
- you comply with the integration requirement, i.e. you have knowledge of the Estonian language at least at B1 level established by the language act or level corresponding to that.
An alien, who has received a temporary residence permit for study (the period of residence permit for study shall be taken into account of the period of stay in half amount, if the person holds thereafter a temporary residence permit on other grounds) or in case of substantial public interest, cannot apply for a long-term residence permit.
Documents requested for application
- application form (fill in on screen or print out and fill in by hand.) The application form must be filled in Estonian language! Instructions for filling the application form;
- identity document;
- a document certifying the permanent and legal income of the applicant during the six months preceding the submission of the application, indicating the amount, regularity and sources of the income (except if maintenance to the applicant is ensured by his or her family member – see additional documents);
- certificate of proficiency in the Estonian language (except if the applicant is released from compliance with the integration requirement or he/she is not obligated to pass a proficiency test in the Estonian language or an e-certificate has been issued to the applicant).
- 1 color photo with measures 40×50 mm;
- document confirming the payment of the state fee.
In addition, the following documents shall be submitted upon application for long-term residence permit for children less than 1 year of age:
- a child’s birth certificate (except if the data of the document have been entered into the population register of Estonia);
- an identity document of the child, if such exists.
Additional documents to be submitted, if maintenance to the applicant shall be granted by a family member:
- a document certifying kinship or matrimony;
- a document certifying the permanent and legal income of the family member ensuring maintenance of the applicant during the six months preceding the submission of the application, indicating the amount, regularity and sources of the income;
- a warranty of the family member ensuring maintenance that he/she will ensure the maintenance.
Decision on granting of or refusal to grant the right of residence
The granting of or refusal to grant the right of long-term residence shall be decided within 3 months from submission of the application, but not later than 10 days prior the expiry of the validity term of a temporary residence permit.
In the case of granting of the residence permit the residence card shall be issued to the applicant in person within 30 days at the Service Office named on the application form.
The residence card of a minor under age 15 and of a ward shall be issued to his/her legal representative.
More information can be found on www.politsei.ee