Author:
TÜ õppeosakond

Arrival ABC

Here are the checklists for those students who are about to arrive or have already arrived at the University of Tartu in order to keep track of all the most relevant procedures.
There is one checklist for short-term students and one for degree-seeking students.  Also, due to all the different cards that students may need to apply for, you will find a table with some brief information as to what to use each card for, whether it is compulsory, etc.

Action Timeframe More information
Your UT username and password will be sent to you by email. If you have not received your UT username and password, please contact the Study Abroad Centre. By the beginning of the semester.

All exchange students will receive the university's email address in the format of firstname.lastname@ut.ee, through which communication with the university takes place. 

Erasmus students: Certificate of arrival/departure is signed by email. Upon arrival to Tartu.

Only if the sending institution requires it.

Form is provided by sending institution;
host institution: University of Tartu;
UT Erasmus code: EE TARTU02.

Proof of study document Student status must be active.

Dean's office

Please send an email to the given address first, do not go to the office!

Register for courses in the Study Information System (SIS/ÕIS in Estonian).

NB! Should you have any question concerning registration for courses, please email to the contact person in the institute/school/college.

Before the beginning of semester once you have received login credentials.

Registration for courses.

Fill out your contact information in the Study Information System. Make sure your contact information is correct and keep it updated! Within two weeks after the beginning of the semester. See your profile in the SIS.

Students who receive stipend from UT:
In order to receive a stipend, you are advised to open a local bank account and insert the account number into the SIS. (If you would like an ISIC card, you must open an account with Swedbank or SEB). In LHV bank opening an account is free of charge. 

Within the first weeks of the semester. Not in the first week!

To open a bank account you will need to request the proof of study document at UT from the respective dean's office at the beginning of the semester, this document proves your student status at the University of Tartu. Please send an email to the given address first, do not go to the office!

Instructions for opening a bank account and/or for ordering a virtual ISIC Student Card (Estonian ID code is needed).

Pay your tuition fee (if applicable). Based on the invoice issued by UT. Tuition fees.

Short-term (C) visa holders: begin applying for a long-term (D) visa (if you will be staying in Estonia for more than 90 days) at the Police and Border Guard Board.

Immediately upon arrival in Tartu! Non-EU citizen resident permits and visas.
Long-term (D) visa holders: request an Estonian ID-code (isikukood) from Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli street 17).
 
As soon as possible.

Tartu Welcome Centre
UT adds your ID-code to your profile in SIS, no need to send it to us, we shall get it from the Tartu Welcome Centre. ID-code gives the possibility to register with a family doctor and to use a variety of other e-services. 

EU citizens: register as a resident of Tartu at the Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli 17) or at the Tartu Population Registry (Küüni 5) in order to have the right of residence in Estonia and receive your ID-code. 
 
Within one month after your arrival in Estonia. Tartu Welcome Centre
UT adds your ID-code to your profile in SIS, no need to send it to us, we shall get it from the Tartu Welcome Centre. ID-code gives the possibility to register with a family doctor and to use a variety of other e-services. 
EU citizens: After completing the above step, you can apply for an Estonian ID-card from the Police and Border Guard Board (Riia 132) which certifies your right of residence in Estonia. ID-card is compulsory and allows you to use various e-services.
 
After registering as a resident of Tartu. EU citizens: apply for an ID Card.
Start looking for a family doctor and register yourself with the doctor of your choice. As soon as possible. Estonian health care system.

 

Action Timeframe More information
Your UT username and password (login credentials) will be sent to you by email. If you have not received your UT username and password, please send an e-mail to internationalstudent@ut.ee.
 
As of August 19, not all students get info at the same time.  Degree seeking students can start with course registration on 28 August, 2023. 
All first-year students will receive the university's email address in the format of firstname.lastname@ut.ee, through which communication with the university takes place. 

Fill out your contact information in the Study Information System (SIS/ÕIS). Make sure your contact information is correct and keep it updated!

At the beginning of studies.  See your profile in the SIS

Register for courses in the SIS.

NB! Should you have any question concerning registration for courses, please email to the contact person in the institute/school/college.

As of August 28, after receiving login credentials.  Registration for courses.
Proof of study document (UT student status confirmation letter). Once academic year has started, not before. It is not mandatory, but may be needed for various purposes (opening bank account etc). Proof can be asked from your dean's office at the beginning of the semester, not before. Please send an email to the given address first, do not go to the office!

Students who receive stipend from UT: In order to receive a stipend, you need to open a local bank account and insert the account number into the SIS. If you would like an ISIC card, you must open an account with Swedbank or SEB bank. In LHV bank opening an account is free of charge.

Within the first weeks of the semester. 

To open a bank account you will need to request the proof of study document at UT from the respective dean's office at the beginning of the semester, this document proves your student status at the University of Tartu. Please send an email to the given address first, do not go to the office!

Instructions for opening a bank account and/or for ordering a virtual ISIC Student Card (Estonian ID code is needed).

Tuition fee contracts are to be signed at respective dean’s office or institute. Students will be informed as where and when (varies across study fields).
Tuition-waiver scholarship contracts will be sent to students by email with further instructions.
This section applies only to the students of English taught study programmes (not PhD).
 
Within two weeks after the beginning of the semester. Covering the cost of tuition.
Non-EU citizens. Long-term (D) visa holders: Request an Estonian ID-code (isikukood) from Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli street 17). If you will be studying in Estonia longer than one year and have not applied for an Estonian Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) for study yet, begin applying for it at the Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB). 
 
Immediately upon arrival in Tartu!

Non-EU citizen resident permits and visas.

Tartu Welcome Centre
UT adds your Estonian ID-code to your profile in SIS, no need to send it to us, we shall get it from the Tartu Welcome Centre. ID-code gives the possibility to register with a family doctor and to use a variety of other e-services. 

Non-EU citizens: After having received your TRP card (if applicable), register as a citizen of Tartu at the Population Register Office in Tartu (Küüni street 5). As soon as possible after receiving TRP card.

After receiving your TRP

Tartu Welcome Centre

EU citizens: register as a resident of Tartu at the Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli 17) or at the Tartu Population Registry (Küüni 5) in order to have the right of residence in Estonia and receive your ID-code. 
 
Within one month after your arrival in Estonia.

EU Citizen's Right of Residence.

Tartu Welcome Centre
UT adds your ID-code to your profile in SIS, no need to send it to us, we shall get it from the Tartu Welcome Centre. ID-code gives the possibility to register with a family doctor and to use a variety of other e-services. 

EU citizens: After completing the above step, you can apply for an Estonian ID-card from the Police and Border Guard Board (Riia 132) which certifies your right of residence in Estonia. ID-card is compulsory and allows you to use various e-services.
 
After registering as a resident of Tartu. EU citizens: Apply for an ID Card.
Pay your tuition fee (if applicable) Based on the invoice issued by UT. Tuition fees.
Start looking for a family doctor (FD) and register yourself with the FD of your choice. Please note that Estonian ID-code is needed for signing up with a FD. As soon as possible. Estonian health care system.

 

 

 

Action

Timeframe

More information

Your UT username and password (login credentials) will be sent to you by email. If you have not received your UT username and password, please send an e-mail to internationalstudent@ut.ee.

Before the beginning of the semester.

All first-year students will receive the university's email address in the format of firstname.lastname@ut.ee, through which communication with the university takes place. 

Fill out your contact information - address and phone number in Estonia - in the Study Information System (SIS/ÕIS). Make sure your contact information is correct and keep it updated!

At the beginning of studies.

See your profile in the SIS.

Register for courses in SIS.

NB! Should you have any question concerning registration for courses, please email to the contact person in the institute/school/college.

Within two weeks after the beginning of the semester.

Registration for courses.

 

Conclude period plan and insert it to the SIS.

Within 30 days after matriculation. PhD period plan.
Conclude supervision agreement. Within four weeks after matriculation. PhD supervision agreement.

In order to receive payments from UT, you need to open a local bank account and insert the account number into the SIS. If you would like an ISIC card, you must open an account with Swedbank or SEB bank. In LHV bank opening an account is free of charge.

Within the first weeks of the semester. 

To open a bank account you will need to request the proof of study document at UT from the respective dean's office at the beginning of the semester, this document proves your student status at the University of Tartu. Please send an email to the given address first, do not go to the office!

Instructions for opening a bank account and/or for ordering a virtual ISIC Student Card (Estonian ID code is needed).

Proof of study document (UT student status confirmation letter). Once academic year has started, not before. It is not mandatory, but may be needed for various purposes (opening bank account etc). Proof can be asked from your dean's office at the beginning of the semester, not before. Please send an email to the given address first, do not go to the office!

Non-EU citizens. Long-term (D) visa holders: Request an Estonian ID-code (isikukood) from Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli street 17).

If have not yet applied for an Estonian Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) for study, begin applying for it at the Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB). NB! Although you have a junior research fellow position at UT, you need to apply for a TRP for study (NOT for employment)!

Immediately upon arrival in Tartu!

Tartu Welcome Centre
UT adds your ID-code to your profile in SIS, no need to send it to us, we shall get it from the Tartu Welcome Centre. ID-code gives the possibility to register with a family doctor and to use a variety of other e-services. 

Non-EU citizen resident permits and visas.

 

Non-EU citizens: After having received your TRP card, register as a citizen of Tartu at the Population Register Office in Tartu (Küüni 5) or at Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli 17). Also, please send a copy of your TRP to personal@ut.ee.

As soon as possible after receiving TRP card.

After receiving your TRP.

Tartu Welcome Centre

EU citizens: register as a resident of Tartu at the Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli 17) or at the Tartu Population Registry (Küüni 5) in order to have the right of residence in Estonia and receive your ID-code.

Within one month after your arrival in Estonia.

EU Citizen's Right of Residence.

Tartu Welcome Centre
UT adds your ID-code to your profile in SIS, no need to send it to us, we shall get it from the Tartu Welcome Centre. ID-code gives the possibility to register with a family doctor and to use a variety of other e-services. 

EU citizens: After completing the above step, you can apply for an Estonian ID-card from the Police and Border Guard Board (Riia 132) which certifies your right of residence in Estonia. ID-card is compulsory and allows you to use various e-services.

After registering as a resident of Tartu.

EU citizens: Apply for an ID Card.

Start looking for a family doctor (FD) and register yourself with the FD of your choice. Please note that Estonian ID code is needed for signing up with a FD.

As soon as possible.

Estonian health care system.

 

 

 

 

Card

What for?

Obligatory?

Where and how to get?

How much?

ISIC

Proves student status; several discounts internationally. Please note that UT does not have a UT specific student card!

No

1. by opening a bank account with Swedbank or SEB bank.

2. by online system "MinuKool" (ID card or TRP card is needed).

3. by physical application process described here (ID card/TRP card is not needed).

4. LHV virtual ISIC Student Card (Estonian ID code is needed).

 

 

ESNcard

Proves your status as a member of the Erasmus Student Network; several discounts; benefits in Tartu

No

ESN Tartu office
Pikk 20-206

Tue and Thu 19:30-20:30

15 €

Estonian ID card (EU citizens only) 

Proves one's right to stay in Estonia; access to UT library, e-services (banking, digital signing, mobile ID), authentication; different discounts,eg. some pharmacies/shops use ID card,  in Estonia. More information here .

Compulsory and available only for students from the EU studying in Estonia at least 3 months.

Migration Bureau

Riia St. 132

Mo-Fr 9:00-17:00

(Within one month from receiving your right of temporary residence and Estonian ID code)

30 €

Temporary residence permit card (non-EU citizens only)

Proves one's right to stay in Estonia;  access to e-services (banking, digital signing, mobile ID), authentication.

Compulsory and available only for degree-seeking non-EU students studying in Estonia more than 6 months. 

After applying for the TRP, the students are informed when and where they get TRP card

64€ in Estonia; 95€ abroad (from 06.01.2020)

Library Access

Access to UT Library

NB! UT library printing service is accessible only with an Estonian ID card or a bus card (available at any R kiosk).

You can additionally print from your computer or mobile device. Further information at this link.

No card is needed to enter the library but in order to borrow books you must have an Estonia ID card/TRP card (long term studies) or register with the library (short term studies). 

W.Struve 1

Mo-Fr 09:00-21:00
Sat-Sun 12:00-18:00

UT Library Login/Registration

 

1.60 € without an Estonian ID card

Tartu bus card

Discounted tickets apply with personalized bus card.
Discount groups: 
* child (7-19 years old)
* youth (20-26 years old)
Additional discount for Residents of Tartu (Official place of residence in Tartu city, Kambja, Luunja or Tartu municipality.)

No

Any R-Kiosk, post office, the bus station, and some stores. A full list of sales points is available here.

You can top up your bus card at any R-Kiosk or you can do it electronically here.

You can peronalise your card online here (Estonian ID card is needed) or physically here (Estonian ID card is not needed). Personalisation is needed for getting transport discount.

2 €

European Health Insurance Card

Covers some medical services (such as visit to General Practitioner).

Only for EU citizens

Health insurance institution of your home country

Free of charge

Store customer cards

Many stores (e.g., Kaubamaja, Selver, Rimi, Konsum, Maxima and others) offer customer cards that allow you to save money and/or accumulate bonus points when you shop. 

No

From the cashier or at the info desk of the store 

Varies; generally under 2 €

 

I am from an EU country

  1. EU citizens must register their residence in Tartu and apply for an Estonian ID-card, detailed information is here.
  2. Upon registering their residence, all EU citizens get automatically an Estonian ID-code (isikukood).
  3. UT adds your Estonian ID-code to your profile in SIS, no need to send it to us, we shall get it from the Tartu Welcome Centre.
  4. With an Estonian ID-card you can use various digital services, an Estonian ID-code allows to use transport discountregister with a family doctor etc.

I am from a non-EU country and have D-type visa

  1. Who needs D-type visa, please see here.
  2. D-Visa holders do not automatically get an Estonian ID-code (isikukood). However, it is highly advisable to get it, as it grants the student the possibility to receive transportation discounts, to register with a family doctor and to use a variety of other e-services.
    Where and how to get an ID-code, please read here.
  3. UT adds your Estonian ID-code to your profile in SIS, no need to send it to us, we shall get it from the Tartu Welcome Centre.
  4. D-visa holders do not get an Estonian ID-card, thus they cannot use digital services applicable with the ID-card. Visa is affixed to your passport.
  5. D-visa holders cannot register residence in Estonia.
I am from a non-EU country and have TRP of any EU member state for my studies in Estonia
  1. You do not automatically get an Estonian ID-code (isikukood). However, it is highly advisable to get it, as it grants the student the possibility to receive transportation discounts, to register with a family doctor or to use a variety of other e-services.
    Where and how to get an ID-code, please read here.
  2. UT adds your Estonian ID-code to your profile in SIS, no need to send it to us, we shall get it from the Tartu Welcome Centre.
  3. You do not get an Estonian ID-card, thus you cannot use digital services applicable with the ID-card. 
  4. You cannot register your residence in Estonia.

I am from a non-EU country and have TRP

  1. Who needs TRP, please see here.
  2. TRP holders get an Estonian ID-code (isikukood) with their TRP. After getting your TRP, you have to register your residence in Tartu. Where and how to register, please see here.
  3. UT adds your Estonian ID-code to your profile in SIS, no need to send it to us, we shall get it from the Tartu Welcome Centre.
  4. TRP holders get a TRP-card, which functions as their Estonian ID-card, thus they can use digital services applicable with the card and other services.

 

The Government of Estonia offers a programme to facilitate foreign nationals with fundamental information about working and studying in Estonia, social aspects, family life, organization of everyday life and Estonian language. You are eligible to participate in the programme only if you are a foreign national who has resided in Estonia for less than 5 years and if you comply with the following:

  1. A foreign national who has been granted temporary residence permit (TRP) in Estonia.
  2. Citizen of the European Union who has acquired the temporary right of residence in Estonia.
  3. Family member of a citizen of the European Union who has been granted the temporary right of residence in Estonia.

Please find fully-detailed information about the programme and how to apply here:
Welcome to Estonia: Welcoming programme

NB! Please note that D-Visa holders are not eligible to participate in this programme.

Service Website Contact
International support for degree seeking students  Support services

depending on topic, see the website


Study Abroad Centre for exchange students
 
Support services
 
depending on topic, see the website

IT Services

Printing

Arvutiabi

UT Multimedia Service

arvutiabi@ut.ee 

meedia@ut.ee 

Visa/residence permit assistance Residence Permits and Visas studentvisasupport@ut.ee  or 
migrationadvice@politsei.ee
Counselling for students with special needs Counselling Services noustaja@ut.ee
Center for Academic Writing (AVOK) AVOK

avokeskus@ut.ee

Career counselling Counselling Services

noustaja@ut.ee

Psychological counselling Counselling Services  
Support Services Beyond UT:  Tartu Welcome Centre
Safety and security

Rescue Service

Police & Border Guard

Emergency number: 112

Police & Border Guard Address: Riia 132

 
Banking - opening account Tartu Welcome Centre  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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