Non-EU Citizen’s Residence Permits and Visas

Contacts of UT units

Dean's Office

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+ 372 737 5341

Faculty email:
hv.dekanaat [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Jakobi 2, rooms 116–121, 51005 Tartu
Institute of History and Archaeology

Faculty link:
www.flaj.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5651

Faculty address:
Jakobi 2, 51005 Tartu
Institute of Estonian and General Linguistics

Faculty link:
keel.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5221

Faculty email:
keeleteadus [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Jakobi 2, 51005 Tartu
Institute of Philosophy and Semiotics

Faculty link:
www.flfi.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5314

Faculty email:
filosoofia.semiootika [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Jakobi 2, rooms 309–352, 51005 Tartu
Institute of Cultural Research

Faculty link:
www.flku.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
(+372) 737 5223

Faculty email:
kultuuriteadused [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Ülikooli 16, 51003 Tartu
School of Theology and Religious Studies

Faculty link:
us.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5301

Faculty email:
us [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Ülikooli 18–310, 50090 Tartu
College of Foreign Languages and Cultures

Faculty link:
maailmakeeled.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty email:
keeled [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
J. Liivi 4, 50409, Tartu
Viljandi Culture Academy

Faculty link:
kultuur.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 435 5232

Faculty email:
kultuur [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Posti 1, 71004 Viljandi

Dean's Office

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+ 372 737 5900

Faculty email:
sotsiaalteadused [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Lossi 36, 51003 Tartu
Institute of Education

Faculty link:
www.ht.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 6440

Faculty email:
haridus [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Salme 1a–29, 50103 Tartu
Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies

Faculty link:
skytte.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5582

Faculty email:
skytte [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Lossi 36–301, 51003 Tartu
School of Economics and Business Administration

Faculty link:
majandus.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 6310

Faculty email:
majandus [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Narva mnt 18, 51009 Tartu
Institute of Psychology

Faculty link:
psychology.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5902

Faculty email:
psyhholoogia [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Näituse 2, 50409 Tartu
School of Law

Faculty link:
law.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5390

Faculty email:
oi [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Näituse 20–324, 50409 Tartu
Institute of Social Studies

Faculty link:
yti.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5188

Faculty email:
yhiskonnateadused [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Lossi 36, 51003 Tartu
Narva College

Faculty link:
www.narva.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 740 1900

Faculty email:
college [at] narva.ut.ee

Faculty address:
Raekoja plats 2, 20307 Narva
Pärnu College

Faculty link:
www.pc.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 445 0520

Faculty email:
info [at] pc.ut.ee

Faculty address:
Ringi 35, 80012 Pärnu

Dean's Office

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5326

Faculty email:
med [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Ravila 19, 50411 Tartu
Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine

Faculty link:
biomeditsiin.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 4210

Faculty email:
bsmi [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Biomeedikum, Ravila 19, 50411 Tartu
Institute of Pharmacy

Faculty link:
farmaatsia.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5286

Faculty email:
pharmacy [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu
Institute of Dentistry

Faculty link:
hambaarstiteadus.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 731 9856

Faculty address:
Raekoja plats 6, 51003 Tartu
Institute of Clinical Medicine

Faculty link:
clinicalmedicine.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5323

Faculty email:
kmi [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
L. Puusepa 8, 50406 Tartu
Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health

Faculty link:
tervis.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 4190

Faculty email:
dph [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Ravila 19, 50411 Tartu
Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy

Faculty link:
www.kk.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5360

Faculty email:
kkdek [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Jakobi 5–205, 51005 Tartu

Dean's Office

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5820

Faculty email:
ltt [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Vanemuise 46–208, 51003 Tartu
Institute of Computer Science

Faculty link:
cs.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5445

Faculty email:
ics [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Narva mnt 18, 51009 Tartu
Estonian Marine Institute

Faculty link:
mereinstituut.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 671 8902

Faculty address:
Mäealuse 14, 12618 Tallinn
Institute of Physics

Faculty link:
www.fi.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty address:
W. Ostwaldi 1, 50411 Tartu
Institute of Chemistry

Faculty link:
chem.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5261

Faculty email:
chemistry [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Ravila 14a, 50411 Tartu
Institute of Mathematics and Statistics

Faculty link:
www.math.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5860

Faculty email:
ltms [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Narva mnt 18, 51009 Tartu
Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology

Faculty link:
tymri.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5027

Faculty address:
Riia 23, 23b–134, 51010 Tartu
Tartu Observatory

Faculty link:
www.kosmos.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 4510

Faculty email:
kosmos [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Observatooriumi 1, Tõravere, 61602 Tartumaa
Institute of Technology

Faculty link:
tuit.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 4800

Faculty email:
info [at] tuit.ut.ee

Faculty address:
Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu
Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences

Faculty link:
www.omi.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5835

Faculty email:
om [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Vanemuise 46, 51003 Tartu

Institutions

Library

Faculty link:
utlib.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5702

Faculty email:
library [at] utlib.ee

Faculty address:
W. Struve 1, 50091 Tartu
Youth Academy

Faculty link:
teaduskool.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5581

Faculty email:
teaduskool [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Uppsala 10, 51003 Tartu
Institute of Genomics

Faculty link:
genomics.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 4000

Faculty email:
egv [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Riia 23b, 51010 Tartu
Museum

Faculty link:
muuseum.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5674

Faculty email:
muuseum [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Lossi 25, 51003 Tartu
University of Tartu Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden

Faculty link:
natmuseum.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
https://www.ut.ee/en/kontakt/loodusmuuseum-botaanikaaed

Faculty phone:
+372 737 6076

Faculty email:
loodusmuuseum [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Vanemuise 46, 51003 Tartu

Support Units

Administrative Office

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5606

Faculty email:
kantselei [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Ülikooli 18a, 51005 Tartu
Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 4809

Faculty email:
eik [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Narva mnt 18, 51009, Tartu
University Office in Tallinn

Faculty link:
University Office in Tallinn

Faculty contacts link:
Employeescontacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 6600

Faculty email:
esindus [at] tallinn.ut.ee

Faculty address:
Teatri väljak 3, 10143 Tallinn
Estates Office

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5137

Faculty address:
Ülikooli 18a, 51005 Tartu
Finance Office

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5125

Faculty email:
rahandus [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Jakobi 4, 51005 Tartu
Grant Office

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 6215

Faculty address:
Raekoja plats 9, 51004 Tartu
Information Technology Office

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 6000, IT-help: +372 737 5500

Faculty email:
ito [at] ut.ee, arvutiabi [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Ülikooli 18a, 51005 Tartu
Human Resources Office

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5145

Faculty email:
personal [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Ülikooli 18, rooms 302 and 304, 50090 Tartu
Internal Audit Office

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty email:
siseaudit [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Ülikooli 18-244, 51005 Tartu
Marketing and Communication Office

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5687

Faculty email:
info [at] ut.ee, avalik [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Ülikooli 18, rooms 102, 104, 209, 210, 50090 Tartu
Office of Academic Affairs

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5620

Faculty address:
Ülikooli 18, 50090 Tartu
Procurement Office

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 6632

Faculty email:
tuuli.ilula [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Ülikooli 18a, 51005 Tartu
Rector's Office
Rector's Strategy Office

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5600

Faculty email:
rektor [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Ülikooli 18, 50090 Tartu
Student Council

Faculty link:
tyye.ut.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty email:
info [at] tyye.ee

Faculty address:
Ülikooli 18b, 51005 Tartu
University of Tartu Press

Faculty link:
www.tyk.ee

Faculty contacts link:
Employee contacts

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5945

Faculty email:
tyk [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
W. Struve 1, 50091 Tartu

University of Tartu Academic Sports Club

Faculty link:
sport.ut.ee

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5371

Faculty email:
info [at] tysk.ee

Faculty address:
Ujula 4, 51008 Tartu
Tartu Student Village

Faculty link:
campus.ee

Faculty phone:
+372 740 9959

Faculty email:
info [at] kyla.ee

Faculty address:
Narva mnt 25, 51013 Tartu
Tartu Students’ Club

Faculty link:
www.tym.ee

Faculty phone:
+372 730 2400

Faculty email:
tym [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Kalevi 24, 51010 Tartu
Tartu University Hospital

Faculty link:
www.kliinikum.ee/eng

Faculty email:
kliinikum [at] kliinikum.ee

Faculty address:
L. Puusepa 1a, 50406 Tartu
University of Tartu Foundation

Faculty link:
sihtasutus.ut.ee/en

Faculty phone:
+372 737 5852

Faculty email:
triin.vakker [at] ut.ee

Faculty address:
Ülikooli 18, 50090 Tartu
View all other units

Faculty link:
www.ut.ee/en/other-units

Before reading the text below, please first go through Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs for international students travelling to Estonia.Thank you!

General information for every non-EU student planning to come to Estonia for studies

All students without EU/EEA or Swiss citizenship and not holding visa of another EU member state, need a visa or temporary residence permit (TRP) in order to study in Estonia. There are a limited number of Estonian embassies that handle D (long-term) visa or residence permit applications across the world. All students applying for visas/residence permits need to consider that they must physically visit an Estonian embassy either in their home country or abroad. Those who need to go abroad or travel to a different city, please consider that travelling requires additional time and financial resources and plan accordingly so that your arrival in Estonia is not delayed. Please be aware that neither the University of Tartu nor any of the Estonian embassies can issue a visa invitation for entering the country where the closest Estonian embassy is located. This needs to be taken care of by the student. Thus, before applying or paying any fees to UT, please make sure that you can access an Estonian embassy if it is needed for entering Estonia.
The countries with Estonian embassies that handle visa/residence permit applications include Australia, Belarus, Canada, China, Egypt, Georgia, Great Britain, India, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, USA, and some EU countries – Finland, France, Ireland, and Sweden.

What document(s) do I need to study in Estonia?
The easiest way to explain the options is to categorize students according to their purpose and the duration of their studies in Estonia. Please remember, however, that these are generalized categories. Differences may apply to certain programmes, individuals or study levels. Thus, please always follow the exact guidelines given to you by UT staff.

Degree-seeking students

Study period up to 6 months – D visa
Study period more than 6 months – entering Estonia with D visa and applying for TRP once you are in Estonia
NEW! Student Guide Once you start with the TRP application process, please fill this form in order to inform us to prepare the invitation letter for PBGB. UT will send the TRP inivitation letter directly to PBGB.

Short-term students

Study period up to 3 months – D visa or C visa
Study period up to 12 months – D visa

Students already holding TRP or long-term visa issued by another EU member state

Non-EU/EEA citizens holding a residence permit or long-term visa issued by the immigration authorities of any EU member state can stay in Estonia up to 360 days with the existing permit/long–term visa. Thus, applying for a residence permit or D–type visa for the second member state, meaning in Estonia, will not be required for a stay up to 360 days as long as the existing permit/visa is valid at least 360 days itself.

The students entering Estonia with the residence permit/long-term visa of another EU member state must inform the Study Abroad Centre of their permit during the application process and also come to the Centre and show the original document right after arrival to Estonia. Please note that the residence permit/visa issued by one EU member state and to be used in another member state must have “student”/ “researcher” written on the document in the language of the issuing country. In some cases, an additional proof is provided by the issuing country.

Students from countries which have visa-free entry to Estonia/Schengen area

List of countries which have visa-free entry to Estonia/Schengen area:

Albania*, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao Special Administrative Region, Macedonia*, Malaysia, Marshall islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova*, Monaco, Montenegro*, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia*, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, St Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, Taiwan**, Tonga, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uruguay, Ukraine*, Vanuatu, Venezuela.
* Only for the biometrical passport holders
** Passports issued by Taiwan which include an identity card number

Even if you are a citizen of one of the countries in the above list, if you plan to study in Estonia for more than 90 days, the University of Tartu strongly recommends applying for a D-visa at the nearest Estonian embassy and entering Estonia either with a visa or a residence permit. Entering the Schengen zone to study for a period of longer than 90 days is not in accordance with the laws and regulations of visa-free travelling and it may cause problems when you reach the first Schengen area country. NB! The University of Tartu is not liable for any fines or fees that you may incur if you enter the Schengen area without a valid D-visa or residence permit.

Please also see FAQ about visa-free entry here.

Temporary residence permit for study (TRP)

TRP is only for degree-seeking students studying full- time (with full-time workload). The students studying or dropping into part-time studies cannot have TRP. TRP is not for exchange students, visiting students, nor for external learners. The students who have been granted TRP for studies get a TRP card. TRP is granted for the entire nominal study period (3 years for bachelor students, 2 years for master's students, etc.)
If you have 4 months before your planned arrival in Estonia, apply for the Estonian TRP at an Estonian representation of your home country or at the nearest Estonian representation. Please check the list of the Estonian embassies and representations where the TRP application can be submitted at the beginning of the page. The list of documents to be submitted is given below. Please note that it takes 3 months from the date of applying for TRP until receiving a TRP card. When you apply outside Estonia, it takes longer (even up to 4 months) as transporting of documents takes extra time. Personal presence is required while lodging the TRP application and picing up your TRP card. TRP enables to travel in the Schengen countries for up to 90 days in a six-month period.

If you have less than 4 months left before entering Estonia, and this is the case with all new degree-seeking students starting at UT in 2020, you need to apply for D-visa in an Estonian embassy abroad and TRP application needs to be submitted right after arrival to Estonia. The visa is typically granted within 10 working days (though the maximum process period by law is 30 days). Please see D-visa (long-term) and TRP application documents below. One can also apply both for TRP and D visa abroad. Applying for both concurrently means that you to enter Estonia with your D visa and collect your TRP card in Estonia quite at the beginning of your studies. Still, as stated before, we do not recommend applying for TRP abroad if there is less than 4 months prior to coming to Estonia. In any case, once you contact the relevant Estonian embassy, please consult with them which set of documents, either D visa or TRP or both, they suggest you should apply at that given moment. Please note that having TRP is required for several stipends, such as PhD study allowance etc. Further information see here.

The TRP can be applied for in person only at Estonian embassies abroad or in Estonia at the Police and Border Guard Board.

Students who have entered Estonia with a visa or used their visa-free access (see above the section on countries which have visa-free entry and for the risks associated with entering without a valid visa) need to apply for the TRP after arriving to Estonia. The application process is the same regardless of the place of application.

Students holding a TRP for study can be employed in Estonia without a separate employment permit, provided that the employment will not interfere with their studies.

List of documents to be submitted for TRP application

The following documents must be submitted when applying for the TRP in Estonia or at Estonian representation abroad. Below (at the end of the documents' list) there is some additional information for the UT students extending their TRP. Students processing their TRP documentation in Estonia, please reserve an appointment time at the Police and Border Guard Board, either online or by phone! More information is here. When booking online, please choose option number 4.

1. General application form and data on close relatives

2. A document which certifies your legal income or that of your family members who support you financially. The document must show the amount, regularity and sources of the income during the six months before the submission of the residence permit application. Please note that the legal income per person must be at least 300 euros per month.
Check the PBGB website on legal income to find out which type of income is suitable. The easiest way to prove legal income is with a bank statement. The students can use either their own or parents' bank statement. The latter should not be used if the parents' do not support you during the studies in Estonia. If you receive or will be receiving a scholarship during your studies in Estonia, the proof of scholarship can be used to prove legal income. If UT pays scholarship, the relevant information on particular scholarship is provided in your admission letter. All full-time degree-seeking PhD students have that info in their admission letter.
You do not have to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds for the entire study period, but rather provide evidence that you or your parents have earned legal regular income within the last six months. However, this sum, 300 euros per month, does not cover your real monthly living expenses in Estonia. Read more on real living expenses in Estonia here.
As stated on the PBGB website, by signing the application form (including the TRP extension application form) you confirm that you have sufficient legal income and do not need to submit proof of having legal income. Since the PBGB may ask for the relevant proof at their own discretion, we suggest having it ready and submitting it together with the TRP application/TRP extension application.

3. Copy of 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 TRP applied for will be met. NB! Sign the copy of the insurance contract and the conditions of your insurance (summary of coverage). For additional information and the companies acceptable for medical coverage see here. Insurance can be purchased for a year, yet a student needs to make sure that he/she has continuous health insurance coverage throughout the validity period of the TRP.
As stated on the PBGB website, by signing the application form (including TRP extension application form) you confirm having required health insurance. Since everyone must have health insurance, we suggest having it ready and submitting together with the TRP application/TRP extension application (except in the cases explained under item 4).

Degree-seeking PhD students do not need to purchase medical insurance for their studies in Estonia, as they are covered with the Estonian national health insurance (Haigekassa) as soon as thery have their TRP. Still, for travelling to Estonia and for the first months before you receive your TRP, please have appropriate insurance coverage.

4. A letter of guarantee (needed only if applying abroad) confirming that in case the existing insurance is not valid in Estonia, you will purchase a valid health insurance contract from Estonia. Note that if you apply for the permit in Estonia, the letter of guarantee is not acceptable and you need to submit the insurance contract with a provider accepted by the PBGB right away!

5. A document certifying the payment of the state fee

6. An identity document.

7. A colour photograph sized 40x50 mm (it is possible to take a photo free of charge at the Tartu Migration Bureau while submitting your documents).

8. Admission's letter provided by UT.

The full list of the documents to be submitted for TRP application is also listed on the Police and Border Guard Board/PBGB website. Please note that one of the documents listed on the PBGB website is titled an invitation by educational institution. This will be provided by UT directly to the PBGB, thus you are not required to ask UT to provide you that document while you are applying for a TRP. There are also guidelines for accurate submission of an TRP application, please see here

After receiving TRP

After receiving the residence card, all students must register themselves as citizens of Tartu.
Registration of residence means that the data about a person’s place of residence is entered into the Population Register.
You can register your address of residence at Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli 17, office hours are Mon-Fri 9:00-16:00, Thu 9:00-18:00) or Tartu City Government’s Population Registry Service (Küüni 5). Please see more information here.
PhD students: your haigekassa account (national health insurance) can be activated only after your residence is registered.
The TRP is issued as a residence card with a chip. The residence card issued for studies in Estonia is not valid as a travel document, but you need to have it along with your passport while travelling outside Estonia. You can use your TRP to digitally sign documents and access a broad range of e-services (banking, bill payment, etc.) using a card reader, which can be purchased at most electronics stores.

TRP eligibility, terms and conditions for degree-seeking students

International degree students must fulfil their study programme at full capacity when applying for the TRP for the first time (i.e., they must be matriculated for full-time studies) and maintain a full-time workload throughout their studies at UT.

If an international student fails to fulfil the requirements of full-time studies, the TRP is revoked. The University of Tartu is obligated to inform the Police and Border Guard Board if an international student transfers from full-time to part-time studies within two weeks' time from the day the decision to transfer was taken.

The difference between full-time and part-time studies is described here.

To hold TRP for study, one must be enrolled as a full-time student. That does not mean taking a fixed number of courses each semester, but cumulatively full-time workload must be maintained across an academic year.

Academic leave
If an international student takes an academic leave for reasons that prevent him or her from studying, pursuant to the Universities Act, the university is obligated to inform the Police and Border Guard Board thereof and the TRP is revoked. TRP can be maintained during the academic leave, if a student is actually studying, meaning is registered to the courses for the value of 20 ECTS per semester.

NB! After the revocation of TRP, you must return the TRP card to the Police and Border Guard Board!

After the end of the academic leave, the person may again apply for TRP. If an international student is employed during an academic leave, he or she must apply for a residence permit for employment in a timely manner in order to continue working.

UT rules on academic leave are described here: http://www.ut.ee/en/studies/study-regulations/academic-leave.

Working during studies

International students who have the TRP for study may work in Estonia without a separate permit, as long as their work does not interfere with their studies. No evidence for working while studying needs to be submitted to the Police and Border Guard Board. If an employed international student takes an academic leave, he or she must apply for a residence permit for employment.

Extension of TRP

International students holding TRP for studies can extend it on the same conditions on which they applied for their initial TRP. Extension needs to applied for 2 months prior the expiry of the valid TRP. The students who need to extend their TRP considerably earlier than regulated by law need to provide some evidence to explain the need for initiating the extension process earlier than foreseen by law. For example, the ones who take up either studies or internship/traineeship abroad, please provide the PBGB with admissions’ notification or any other proof issued by a particular hosting institution and confirming your stay abroad. If there are other reasons, please provide written explanation to make the processing easier for the PBGB.

UT needs to send a TRP invitation to the PBGB. So, once you start with the extension process, please fill in a form here. UT will send the TRP inivitation directly to PBGB, not to a student.
The extension of TRP can also be done electronically provided that you use digital signing and follow the technical requirements listed here
Students processing their TRP documentation in Estonia, please reserve an appointment time at the Police and Border Guard Board, either online or by phone! More information is here. When booking online, please choose option number 4.

1. Generalapplication form and data on close relatives

3. Copy of 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 TRP applied for will be met.

Degree-seeking PhD students do not need to purchase medical insurance for their studies in Estonia, as they are covered with the Estonian national health insurance (Haigekassa) during their nominal period of studies (4 years). During the extended study period, meaning beyond the four years, national health insurance is no longer available.

4. A document certifying the payment of the state fee

5. An identity document. Make sure the document is valid for at least 3 months after your intended period of stay.

6. A colour photograph sized 40x50 mm (it is possible to take a photo free of charge at the Tartu Migration Bureau while submitting your documents).

The full list of the documents to be submitted for TRP application is also listed on the Police and Border Guard Board/PBGB website. There are also guidelines for accurate submission of a TRP application, please see here.

If needed, please discuss with the PBGB whether the extended TRP can be picked up in any other Estonian embassy aboard, if this suits better with your travelling plans.

Extension of stay in Estonia after expiry of TRP

Once the TRP for study has expired on regular basis, not terminated by the relevant authorities, students have legal basis for staying in Estonia for the 270 days (270 day extension came into force 23.05.2018, previously it was 183 days) following the expiry date of the period of validity of the TRP. The extension is granted for all the students regardless of their purpose and duration of studies. During the extension students can be employed, thus they have the same rights like TRP holders. Please keep an eye on your TRP validity period, as there is no reminder to inform you on its expiry.

NB! To be able to travel during the extension period, apply for a special sticker (similar to multiple entry visa) to indicate the existence of the extension period. For application, please contact the Police and Border Guard Board and submit an application and photo. There is no specific application template, just write the purpose (applying for the extension sticker), name and your Estonian ID code. The state fee is 30 euros. An application can be submitted during the period of validity of the TRP, yet no earlier than a month before the expiry date of the TRP, as well as after its expiry. Still, the 270-day extension starts from the expiry date of the TRP, not from the sticker application date.

Long-term (D) visa

Students who study in Estonia for up to 12 calendar months (365 days) can apply for a long-stay (D) visa instead of the temporary residence permit (TRP) for study. Degree-seeking students coming to Estonia with a D-visa and staying in Estonia for one academic year or longer than 12 months are required to start applying for the residence permit immediately after arriving to Estonia, regardless of the fact that they have a D-visa. For the degree-seeking students with study period of at least one academic year in Estonia, Estonian embassies usually give a D-visa for 6 months.

D-visa may be issued for single or multiple entries into Estonia. If you plan to travel during your study period, you should apply for the visa with multiple entries. D-visa enables to travel in the Schengen countries for up to 90 days in a six-months period. Please note that D-visa may be applied for 3 months prior to intended arrival in Estonia.

D-visa holders do not need to register themselves in the Population Register Office in Tartu or apply for the residence permit.

You must be present in person at an Estonian embassy abroad or in Estonia, at the Police and Border Guard Board while applying for a D-visa. Applying in Estonia is applicable for the students who have entered Estonia with C-visa or have used their visa-free access. Application process is the same regardless of the place of application. The visa is typically granted within 10 days (though the maximum duration of the process by law is 30 days).
NB! Students applying for D-visa in Estonia, please reserve an appointment time at the Police and Border Guard Board, either online or by phone! More information is here. When booking online, please choose option number 8.

List of documents to be submitted for D (long-stay) visa application

1. valid travel document which is issued within previous 10 years, contains at least two blank pages for visa and is valid at least 3 months after the expiration date of the visa;

2. application form - available on https://vm.ee/et/node/2347
Follow the instruction given on this website. The same pre-filled D visa application applies when you sumbit your D visa documentation in Estonia, at the Police and Border Guard Board, not only in Estonian embassy abroad.

3. one photo (size 35x45 mm);

4. insurance policy valid for Estonia or for the Schengen area with coverage of at least 30 000 EUR for the entire duration of the D visa period. Please pay attention to the fact that the requirements for insurance coverage are different for D visa and TRP. For D visa application, the insurance coverage is higher, as stated above;

5. document indicating the purpose of journey: students present their admission letter;

6. document proving the sufficient means of subsistence for your stay in Estonia. For the students, the amount considered sufficient is equivalent to that of the temporary residence permit (TRP) - that is 300 euros per month. The easiest way to prove legal income is with a bank statement. The students can use either their own or parents' bank statement. The latter should not be used if the parents' do not support you during the studies in Estonia. NB! You do not have to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds for the entire study period, but rather provide evidence that you or your parents have earned legal regular income within the last six months. However, this sum, 300 euros per month, does not cover your real monthly living expenses in Estonia. Read more here. In case UT pays stipend, a proof of receiving a fixed income, while studying in Estonia, is enclosed in the admission package.

7. document evidencing the place of stay in Estonia. If you apply for a UT dormitory and have not yet received housing confirmation, inform the embassy accordingly. If you decide to apply for more permanent housing once you are in Estonia, hostel/hotel booking confirmation evidencing your place of stay at the beginning of studies must be available.

8. Visa fee 100 EUR (from 06.01.2020). Payment instructions are here.

NB! Please pay attention when filling in the application that the duration of your intended stay (counted in days) would cover your whole study period. Additionally, please be aware that for D visa application you are required to submit a document proving accommodation confirmation. The students not staying at the UT dorms should have booking confirmation (from hotel/hostel, future landlord etc) to be handed in along with other application documents. Please note that the total period of stay on the basis of a long-term visa must not exceed 548 days within 730 consecutive days.

According to general practice, D visa is usually granted within ten working days from the day of submission.

Short-term (C) visa

The purpose of C-visa is to transit through or stay in the territory of the Schengen States, Estonia being one of Schengen countries, for a duration no more than 90 days within the period of 180 days.

A C-visa can be applied for in person only at the Estonian representations handling visa applications or at the representation of the EU member state representing Estonia in issuing Schengen visas. Please see here.

We highly recommend that all students who are considering applying for a C-visa in a country where Estonia is represented by the embassy of some other EU member state first make sure this is possible. To the best of our knowledge, foreign embassies/representations do not issue C-visas for the purpose of studying unless the study period at UT is less than 3 months. Please be aware that neither the University of Tartu nor any of the Estonian embassies can issue you a visa invitation for entering the country where the closest Estonian embassy is located. This must be handled by the applicant.

Students entering Estonia with a C-visa and staying in Estonia for longer than 3 months are required to start applying for either a D-visa or residence permit, depending on the purpose and duration of their stay, immediately after arriving to Estonia.

List of documents to be submitted for C-visa application

1. valid travel document which is issued within previous 10 years, contains at least two blank pages for visa and is valid at least 3 months after the expiration date of the visa;

2. application form (provided by the embassy or from the following webpage: Ministry of Foreign Affairs);

3. one photo (size 35x45 mm);

4. an insurance policy valid for Estonia or for the Schengen area with coverage of at least 30 000 EUR for the entire duration of stay;

5. documents indicating the purpose of journey: UT admission letter;

6. any information which supports the applicant's intention to leave the Schengen area before the expiry of the visa (admission letter);

7. documents proving the sufficient means of subsistence for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to the country of origin or residence: i.e. your scholarship proof or bank statement. In the case that UT pays you a stipend then a proof of receiving a fixed income, while studying in Estonia, is enclosed in the admission package;

8. a visa fee 60 €

More information here:

If you should have any problems concerning your rights as a C-visa holder, please contact the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Police and Border Guard Board immediately.

Additional information from the web-page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Further information

Migration advisors at Police and Border Guard Board
PBGB Services
E-mail: migrationadvice [ät] politsei.ee
Skype: EstonianPolice_MigrationAdvice
Phone: +372 612 3500 (Mon-Fri 9.00-15.00)

Study Abroad Centre
University of Tartu
E-mail: studentvisasupport [ät] ut.ee

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