Visa and residence permit guide

Students holding TRP or long-term visa for study or research purposes issued by another EU member country
Third-country citizens can stay in Estonia with a visa or a residence permit for study or employment for research purposes issued by another European Union (EU) country (note: EU country, not Schengen country). Staying in Estonia for study is allowed for up to 360 days or until the visa or residence permit issued by the other EU country expires.
Please note that the residence permit/visa issued by another EU member state and to be used in Estonia must have “student”/ “researcher” written on the document in the language of the issuing country.
If the visa or residence permit issued by another EU country expires during one's stay in Estonia and one wishes to continue studying or working in Estonia, one should apply for a visa or residence permit in Estonia at the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board. One must ensure that the period of stay in Estonia is sufficient to obtain a new D (long-stay) visa or TRP for studies. Please check the processing time of the D visa/TRP for studies below. Having submitted a D visa or TRP for studies application does not grant the right to stay in Estonia!
Students staying in Estonia with a visa or residence permit issued by another EU country are allowed to work during their studies on the same conditions as students staying in Estonia with a visa or residence permit issued by Estonia. This means, on the condition that working does not interfere with their studies.

Students holding TRP or long-term visa (for example family reasons) issued by another EU member country
You can enter Estonia with a valid TRP or long-term visa issued by another EU country. A TRP or long-term visa issued by another EU country enables you to travel in the Schengen countries for up to 90 days in a six-month period. If your studies in Estonia last longer than 90 days you need to apply for a D-type visa or TRP (degree-seeking students) after your arrival to Estonia. D-Visa/TRP can be applied at the Police and Border Guard Board. Information about the documentation needed for the D-Visa/TRP application can be found here. One must ensure that the period of stay in Estonia is sufficient to obtain a new D (long-stay) visa or TRP for studies (degree-seeking students). Please check the processing time of the D visa/TRP for studies below. Having submitted a D visa or TRP for studies application does not grant the right to stay in Estonia!

NB! 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/visa by sending an email to: [email protected].

Citizens of the countries having visa-free entry to Estonia/Schengen area.

In addition to the citizens from EU, EEA, and Schengen area, there are countries, whose citizens have visa-free entry to Estonia. Please see the full list of countries here.

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.

The students, who enter Estonia using their visa-free access right, must ensure that the period of stay in Estonia is sufficient to obtain a D (long-stay) visa or TRP for studies. Please check the processing time of the D visa/TRP for studies below. Having submitted a D visa or TRP for studies application does not grant the right to stay in Estonia! If TRP processing takes longer than the period of stay granted with a visa waiver, one needs to apply for a D visa before getting TRP for studies.

Non-EU nationals, who stay in the Schengen area beyond 90 days (without a residence permit or D visa) are illegally present, which can result in a re-entry ban to the Schengen area. You must carefully calculate your days of stay as the overall period of stay in the Schengen area, not just Estonia, and must not exceed the overall total of 90 (ninety) days of stay within any 180-day period.

Please read FAQ about visa-free entry here.

A long-stay (D) visa may be issued for either single or multiple entries into Estonia. If you plan to travel during your visa period, you should apply for a multiple-entry visa. D visa allows travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any six-month period.

D visa may be applied for up to six months before your intended arrival in Estonia; however, there is generally no need to apply that early, as visas are typically issued within 30 days. If you hold a D visa or temporary residence permit (TRP) issued by another Schengen country, you cannot apply for an Estonian D visa more than two months before your current visa or TRP expires.

You must apply for a D visa in person at an Estonian representation handling visa applications. If there is no Estonian representation in your country of residence, you may apply through the VFS Global office in your country (if possible) or at any Estonian representation that handles visa applications. Please contact the relevant Estonian representation before travelling there to submit your visa application.

You can apply at the Police and Border Guard Board service office in Estonia only if you entered Estonia with a C visa or under a visa-free regime. The application process is the same regardless of the place of application. Students applying for a D visa in Estonia must book an appointment with the Police and Border Guard Board.

Please note that only a limited number of Estonian embassies worldwide process long-stay (D-type) visa applications. If you apply for a D visa, you must be prepared to visit an Estonian embassy or a VFS Global office in person, either in your home country or abroad.

If you need to travel abroad or to another city for your visa appointment, please take into account the additional time and financial resources required and plan accordingly to avoid delays in your arrival in Estonia. Neither the University of Tartu nor the Estonian embassies can issue a visa invitation for entry into the country where the nearest Estonian embassy is located; arranging such travel is your responsibility. Therefore, before applying to or paying any fees to the University of Tartu, please ensure that you are able to access an Estonian embassy if required for your visa application.

Countries with Estonian embassies handling D-type visa applications include Australia, Canada, China, Egypt, Georgia, India, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Türkiye, Ukraine, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Ireland.

Estonian D Visa Applications via VFS Global

You may also submit an Estonian Long-stay (D-type) visa application through VFS Global visa application centers in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the United Kingdom, Israel, Japan, Mexico, and the United States.

Please note that VFS Global only collects application documents and forwards them to the Estonian Embassy for processing. This may result in longer processing times, so please plan accordingly.

1. Valid travel document issued within the previous 10 years, containing at least two blank pages for visas, and valid for at least three months beyond the visa’s expiration date.

2. Fully completed and signed application form. Follow the instructions provided on the website. The same pre-filled D visa application form is used when submitting D visa documentation in Estonia at the Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB), not only when applying through an Estonian embassy abroad.

   Note: In the application form, under the Host Company/Organization Information section, you are required to provide the surname, name, address, phone number, and email address of the contact person. Please enter the following information: Eda Tursk / Ülikooli 18, 50090, Tartu, Estonia / [email protected]. See the general contact information for UT.

3. One color photograph (35 × 45 mm), meeting ICAO requirements and taken within the last six months.

4. Travel medical insurance covering any costs related to the applicant’s medical treatment due to illness or injury during the validity of the visa. As a rule, the insurance must be valid for the entire requested visa period. If the applicant will be covered by Estonian health insurance (Tervisekassa) after arrival in Estonia, the travel medical insurance must cover only the period until the Estonian health insurance becomes valid.

   Students may choose any international insurance provider that offers suitable coverage. KindlustusEst is an insurance broker that can help find suitable insurance coverage. You can compare prices from different insurance providers on the website and sign the contract online. No additional fees are charged to students. Regardless of which insurance provider you use, you should be prepared to cover medical costs upfront. If you need to pay for medical services, keep all receipts and supporting documents, and apply for reimbursement from your insurance provider in accordance with its procedures. If the costs are covered under your insurance policy, the provider will issue a refund.

5. Proof of sufficient financial means, including evidence of the applicant’s income for the three months immediately preceding submission of the application, indicating the amount, regularity, and sources of income.

   You must be prepared to present proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your visa-covered stay in Estonia (e.g., an original bank statement showing transactions from the last months, duly stamped and signed by the bank). You are not required to demonstrate sufficient funds for the entire duration of your studies; however, you must show that you or your parents have had a legal and regular income over the past three months and that you have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses during the visa period.

   Note: Even if you will receive a stipend or salary from the University of Tartu, you must still be prepared to prove sufficient funding for the visa period (approximately €880 per month) when submitting your visa application documents. For more information on sufficient financial means, please consult the relevant embassy.

6. Completed form concerning close relatives and family members.

7. Completed form concerning biographical data.

8. Additional application form 1 (citizens of NATO member states are exempted).

9. Documents indicating the purpose of the journey. New students must present their official UT admission letter. Students already enrolled at the University of Tartu (with active student status) who are applying for a D-type visa in Estonia must request a certificate of studies from their Dean’s Office and present it at the visa interview.

10. Document evidencing your place of stay in Estonia. If you apply for a University of Tartu dormitory and have not yet received housing confirmation, you should inform the embassy accordingly. If you do not have secured accommodation in UT dormitories by the time of your visa interview, you must book temporary accommodation elsewhere. If you plan to arrange more permanent housing after arriving in Estonia, a hostel or hotel booking confirmation proving your place of stay at the beginning of your studies must be available for your visa interview.

11. Travel ticket booking confirmation to Estonia or proof of alternative means of transport.

12. At the time of application submission, biometric data (10 fingerprints) is collected.

13. Visa fee (EUR 120). See the payment instructions.

Note: Please ensure that, when completing the application, the duration of your intended stay (in days) covers your entire study period. Please note that the total period of stay under a long-term (D) visa must not exceed 548 days within any 730 consecutive days. In any case, once you contact the relevant Estonian embassy, you must follow their guidance and requirements regarding the documents needed for the D visa application.

Starting from 28 April 2025, foreign documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or educational documents) submitted as part of a long-stay (D) visa application must be legalized or apostilled and translated into either Estonian or English. For detailed information on which documents require apostille or legalization, please contact the Estonian representation where you intend to submit your visa application.

See also the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

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 90 €

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.

The following documents must be submitted when applying for a TRP in Estonia or at an Estonian representation abroad.

If you are submitting your TRP application documents in Estonia, you are requested to book an appointment through the Police and Border Guard Board’s (PBGB) online booking calendar. Please note that it is not possible to apply for a TRP without a prior appointment.

All documents submitted as part of a TRP application must be in either English or Estonian.

1. General application form and additional forms that are available on the PBGB website. Please complete all forms in capital letters, print them, and sign them by hand. Bring the printed and signed forms with you to your appointment.

2. Documents certifying legal income for the six months preceding the application. The documents must clearly indicate the amount, regularity, and source(s) of the income. Please note that the required legal income is at least 800 euros per month per person. The easiest way to demonstrate legal income is by providing a bank statement. You may submit either your own bank statement or that of your parent(s), provided that they support you during your studies in Estonia. If you receive, or will receive, a scholarship during your studies in Estonia, proof of the scholarship may also be used as evidence of legal income. If you have been awarded a scholarship by the University of Tartu, the relevant information will be included in your admission letter.
   You are not required to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds for your entire period of study. Instead, you must provide evidence that you or your parent(s) have received legal and regular income during the six months preceding the application.

3. Copy of an insurance contract confirming that any costs related to medical treatment resulting from illness or injury during the validity period of the TRP will be covered. You must sign both the copy of the insurance contract and the insurance terms and conditions (summary of coverage) before submitting the TRP application. Insurance may be purchased for one year at a time; however, students are responsible for ensuring continuous health insurance coverage throughout the entire validity period of their TRP. By signing the TRP application form, you confirm having the required health insurance. Since everyone must have health insurance, we suggest having it ready and submitting it together with the TRP application.
   Degree-seeking PhD students are not required to purchase private health insurance for their studies in Estonia, as they become covered by the Estonian national health insurance system after signing their employment contract. However, appropriate health insurance coverage is still required for travel to Estonia before national health insurance coverage begins.

4. Criminal record certificate (or certificate of no criminal record) issued by a foreign country. The certificate must be issued no more than six months before the application. You must provide a certificate from each foreign country where you have resided for at least 3 consecutive months during the past 3 years. The certificate must be translated into English or Estonian and legalized or apostilled, depending on the country in which it was issued.

5. Your valid passport.

6. Digital colour photograph. If you submit your application at a PBGB service office in Estonia, a digital photo can be taken free of charge during your appointment. Read about the requirements and instructions for the document photo.

7. Proof of payment of the state fee (225 €). You are not required to pay the state fee in advance. If you prefer, you may pay the fee at the PBGB service office when submitting your application documents. Card payments are accepted. If you choose to pay the state fee before your appointment, please follow the state fee payment instructions provided by the PBGB and bring proof of payment (e.g. a payment order) with you to the appointment.

Important: You do not need to submit your UT admission letter as part of your TRP application. However, the University must issue an invitation letter (invitation by educational institution) to support your application. To request the invitation letter, please complete the UT form. Once the form has been submitted, the University will send the invitation letter directly to the PBGB.

How long does it take to obtain a residence permit?

The processing of a TRP application may take up to 90 days from the date the application is accepted or, from the date all requested deficiencies have been remedied.

If the application is approved, the residence permit card is usually issued within 30 days of the decision.

I. Bachelor’s and Master’s students

Students in bachelor’s and master’s programmes are not covered by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund unless they are employed in Estonia. Therefore, they must obtain private health insurance from an approved insurance provider. Estonia has strict requirements for health insurance for residence permits, and only a limited number of insurance companies meet them (see below). Please note that standard travel insurance is not sufficient for a residence permit.

TRP is issued for the nominal duration of studies (e.g., 3 years for bachelor’s programmes and 2 years for master’s programmes). Students must ensure they have valid health insurance coverage for the entire study period. It is possible to purchase insurance for shorter periods (e.g., one year), provided it is renewed on time to maintain continuous coverage.

International students in Estonia commonly use one of the following insurance providers that meet TRP requirements:

• Ergo Insurance
• Elama Kindlustus AS
• AON

KindlustusEst, an insurance broker, can assist in finding suitable insurance options. Students can compare prices from different providers via their websites and conclude contracts online. No additional fees are charged for this service.

Regardless of the insurance provider, students should be prepared to initially cover medical expenses themselves. If medical services must be paid for upfront, all receipts and cost documents should be retained. Reimbursement can then be requested from the insurance provider in accordance with their procedures. Eligible costs will be refunded in accordance with the policy terms.

II. Doctoral Researchers

Doctoral Researchers, admitted from the 2022/2023 academic year onwards, are covered by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa). PhD students admitted earlier are covered by Tervisekassa once they have obtained a TRP, provided they are not on academic leave and have not extended their nominal study period.

III. Estonian Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa)

It is also possible to enter into an insurance contract with the Estonian Health Insurance Fund. Please check the applicable conditions on their official website.

1. Within one month of receiving your residence permit card, you must register your Estonian address as your primary place of residence in the Estonian Population Register. Completing this procedure is mandatory to maintain your TRP in Estonia.
   You can register your address at the Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli Street 17, office hours: Mon-Fri 9:00-16:00, Thu 9:00-18:00) or the Tartu City Government’s Population Registry Service (Küüni Street 5).

2. The TRP is issued as a residence card with a chip. Although the residence card is not a valid travel document, you must carry it together with your passport when travelling outside Estonia.

3. Your TRP can also be used to digitally sign documents and access a wide range of e-services, such as online banking, health services and bill payments. To use these services, you will need a card reader, which is available at most electronics stores.

Full-time study requirement

When you apply for a TRP for studies for the first time, you must be enrolled as a full-time student. You must also maintain a full-time study workload throughout your studies at the University of Tartu.

Maintaining full-time status does not mean completing a fixed number of courses every semester. Instead, your cumulative study workload over the academic year must meet the full-time study requirement.

If you are a bachelor's or master's student and no longer meet the requirements for full-time studies, your TRP will be revoked. The University of Tartu is legally required to notify the Police and Border Guard Board within two weeks if you are transferred from full-time to part-time studies.

Academic leave

If you take academic leave for reasons that prevent you from studying, the University of Tartu is required by law to inform the Police and Border Guard Board, and your TRP will be revoked.

You may keep your TRP during academic leave only if you continue studying by registering for courses worth at least 22.5 ECTS per semester.

Please note: If your TRP is revoked, you must return your residence permit card to the Police and Border Guard Board.

After your academic leave ends, you may apply for a new TRP for studies. If you work during your academic leave, you must apply for a residence permit for employment in time to continue working legally.

Working during your studies

If you hold a TRP for studies, you may work in Estonia without a separate work permit, provided that your employment does not interfere with your studies.

You do not need to submit proof of employment to the Police and Border Guard Board while you are studying.

If you are employed and take academic leave, you must apply for a residence permit for employment in order to continue working.

You can extend your TRP for studies beyond the nominal duration of your study programme only in limited study-related circumstances that prevent you from graduating on time. For example, if you complete an intensive Estonian language programme (60 ECTS) during your first year of studies, you may be eligible to apply for a TRP extension.

However, studying abroad or taking academic leave that results in an extension of your studies is not considered a valid reason for extending your TRP.

Please note that after your TRP expires on its validity date, you may legally remain in Estonia for up to 270 days (9 months) to complete your studies or make other necessary arrangements. If you are unable to graduate within this additional 270-day period, you must apply for a D visa to remain in Estonia legally until your graduation.

The University must issue an invitation letter (invitation by educational institution) to the Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB) to support your application. To request the invitation letter, please complete the UT form. Once the form has been submitted, the University will send the invitation letter directly to the PBGB.

You may also apply for an extension by email if you provided your fingerprints within the last six years and have a valid residence permit card that allows you to digitally sign the application form.

TRP extension instructions and forms

Staying in Estonia after your TRP expires

If your TRP for studies expires normally (i.e., it has not been revoked by the authorities), you may legally stay in Estonia for an additional 270 days after its expiry. This extension applies automatically to all international students, regardless of the purpose or duration of their studies. During this 270-day period, you have the same right to work in Estonia as TRP holders.

There is no automatic reminder about your TRP expiry date, so make sure to keep track of its validity.

Travelling during the 270-day extension period

If you wish to travel outside Estonia during the 270-day extension period, you must apply for a special visa sticker from the Police and Border Guard Board. The visa sticker (similar to a multiple-entry visa) confirms your legal right to remain in Estonia during the extension period. With a valid visa sticker, you may travel to other Schengen countries for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Please note: You cannot apply for the visa sticker earlier than 1 month before your TRP expires. You may also apply for the visa sticker after your TRP has expired, provided you are still within the 270-day extension period.

You must submit your application in person at a Police and Border Guard Board service office.

Documents you need to submit

• a free-form application including your full name, personal identification number, contact details, date, and signature;
• a digital document photo (a digital photo can be taken free of charge during your appointment. Read about the requirements and instructions for the document photo);
• your valid passport;
• proof of payment of the €30 state fee (please follow the state fee payment instructions. If you pay at the service office, payment can be made in cash only).

Booking an appointment is not mandatory, but it is recommended to avoid long waiting times. The PBGB usually processes visa sticker applications within three working days.

If you are applying for a residence permit for studies, your family members may join you in Estonia only in exceptional cases. For more information about your specific situation, please contact a migration adviser.

Register the place of residence

For stays of more than three months, you must register the place of residence. To obtain the right of temporary residence, EU citizens must register themselves as citizens of Tartu within three months from the date of entering Estonia. That can be done at the Population Register Office or at Tartu Welcome Centre. Please find more information here.

Once you have registered yourself as a citizen of Tartu, you receive the Estonian ID-code (isikukood). 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.

Applying for an Estonian ID-card

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 not compulsory but allows you to use various e-services.

Applying for an ID card for an adult

Health insurance for EU citizens

The students of bachelor's and master's level: If you have valid health insurance in your home country during your studies in Estonia, you can apply for the EU health insurance card (EHIC) or substitute certificate of an EU health insurance card (form E128). You should apply for that from the social service authorities in your home country before arriving in Estonia. EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. It does not cover any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country or lost/stolen property. The required medical care is not free – the expenses (visit, hospital charges, etc.) must be paid for according to the tariffs set in Estonia. For receiving the compensation, if applicable, an application must be submitted to respective national contact point in the country where the person is insured. More information about what is covered with EHIC in Estonia can be found here ( > Healthcare Abroad > Medical Treatment Abroad > Estonia).To be eligible for an EHIC, you must be insured by or covered by a state social security system in any member state of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

NB! EU and EEA students studying in Estonia for a degree are not covered by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund, unless they are employed in Estonia or have the right of permanent residence, so they can obtain the EHIC only if they are covered by the social security system of their home country. If you cannot get the EHIC for the reasons described above, please check if any of the private health insurances listed below meets your expectations/needs. You should not be without any health insurance!

Estonian Health Insurance Fund: One can purchase an insurance contract with the Estonian Health Insurance Fund. Please check the conditions here.

The PhD students have Estonian Health Insurance Fund (Haigekassa) coverage, unless they have not registered their right of residence in Estonia, are on academic leave or have extended their period of study.