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Residence permits for non-EU citizens

There is no student visa as such for studies in Estonia. Non-EU students are required to apply for a residence permit for study if they are going to stay in Estonia for more than three months.

1. The citizens of the following countries can apply for the residence permit in Estonia:
Albania*, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Israel, Japan, Macao Special Administrative Region, Macedonia*, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro*, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Serbia*, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, St Kitts-Nevis, Taiwan**, United States of America, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela.

* Only for the biometrical passport holders
** Passports issued by Taiwan which include an identity card number

Students from the above mentioned countries will receive their official invitation for the residence permit at the beginning of the semester in Tartu. See the process of applying for the residence permit in Estonia.

2. Students who must apply for a residence permit in the Estonian embassy of their home country or in the nearest Estonian embassy must submit the following documents:

1. official invitation for the residence permit — “Confirmation of educational institution or students organisation that the student will start studies in certain educational institution” (enclosed with the admission package “Kinnitus välismaalase õppima asumise kohta” for those who have to apply for the residence permit outside of Estonia)

OFFICIAL INVITATION IS VALID ONLY FOR TWO MONTHS!

NB! The letter of acceptance is not valid as an invitation!

2. application forms (provided by the embassy, consulate or from the following webpage: Police and Border Guard Board);

3. applicant’s written motivation why he/she wishes to study in Estonia (main reasons why you want to come to Estonia; there are no special requirements for this document);

4. a document which certifies the legal income of the applicant or his/her family members, who ensure his/her subsistence, during the six months preceding the submission of the application, including the amount, regularity and sources of the income. In case UT pays a stipend then a proof of receiving a fixed income, while studying in Estonia, is enclosed in the admission package;

5. an insurance contract guaranteeing that any costs related to medical treatment as a result of illness or injury during the period of validity of the residence permit applied for will be met;

6. a letter of guarantee confirming that in case the existing insurance is not valid in Estonia, student is obligated to purchase a valid health insurance contract from Estonia. Note: if you apply for the permit in Estonia, the letter of guarantee is not sufficient and you need to submit the insurance contract with a provider accepted by the Police and Border Guard Board;

7. a document certifying the payment of the state fee;

8. the identity document of an applicant;

9. a coloured photograph sized 40x50 mm

Upon application for the residence permit for studying, non-EU citizens must pay the state fee of 65 EUR.

When filling in the residence permit application, make sure to choose the correct place of receipt of the residence permit. If you ask to receive the permit at the Estonian representation, but later change your mind and wish to receive the permit in Estonia, additional state fee of 50 euros may be charged for the change.

All applicants from the countries where there is no Estonian embassy nearby should take into consideration the following aspects:

  • All admitted students will receive an official invitation for the residence permit which is required for applying for the residence permit. NB! The admission letter sent by UT is not valid as an invitation.
  • Student must apply and pick up the residence permit, from the Estonian embassy, in person. That means one must be prepared to visit the embassy twice.
  • The University of Tartu or any of the Estonian embassies cannot issue a visa invitation (in case you need it!) to enter another country where the Estonian embassy, closest to an applicant, is located. Applying for a required visa is the student's responsibility only.
  • Application process for getting the residence permit (from the moment of applying) might take up to 3 months.
  • If the Estonian embassy is too far from one's home country, it might be possible to enter Estonia also with a Schengen visa in case you have one) and apply for the residence permit in Estonia. This possibility does not apply to Bachelor-level students. The University of Tartu cannot issue invitations for Schengen visas. Getting this visa is the student's responsibility.

Students entitled to apply for the Estonian citizenship are requested to take documents proving their Estonian background to the Migration Bureau to get an Estonian passport. Students of Estonian background sufficient to apply for an Estonian passport cannot have a residence permit. For more detailed information concerning the matter, please contact the Estonian Embassy of your country.

More information: How to apply for a residence permit?