Arrival ABC
Here are checklists for students who are about to arrive or have already arrived at the University of Tartu, designed to help you keep track of the most important procedures.
There is one checklist for short-term students and another for degree-seeking students. Additionally, you’ll find a table providing brief information about the different cards students may need to apply for, including their purpose and whether they are compulsory.
| Action | Timeframe | More information |
|---|---|---|
| Your UT username and password will be sent to you via email. If you have not received them, please contact the Study Abroad Centre. | By the beginning of the semester. | All exchange students will be assigned a university email address in the format firstname.lastname@ut.ee, which will be used for all official communication with the university. |
| Erasmus+ students: The certificate of arrival/departure will be signed and sent via email. | Upon arrival in Tartu. | The certificate of arrival/departure will only be issued if required by the sending institution. The form will be provided by the sending institution. Host institution: University of Tartu |
| The "Proof of Study" document | Your student status must be active to receive the "Proof of Study" document. | To request your "Proof of Study" document, please email the Dean's Office first; do not visit the office in person. |
| Register for courses in the Study Information System (SIS). | Before the beginning of the semester, once you have received your login credentials. | If you have any questions regarding course registration, please email the administrative support. You can find the contact information under the "Lecturers" tab for each course in SIS. |
| Fill out your contact information in the Study Information System (SIS). | Within two weeks after the beginning of the semester. | Make sure your details are correct and keep them updated throughout your studies. |
| Students receiving a stipend from UT: To receive your stipend, you are advised to open a local bank account and enter the account number into the SIS. | Within the first weeks of the semester (not in the first week). | To open a bank account, you will need to request a "Proof of Study" document from the respective Dean's Office at the beginning of the semester. This document verifies your student status at UT. Please email the Dean's Office first; do not visit the office in person. |
| Pay your tuition fee (if applicable). | Based on the invoice issued by UT. | Tuition fees |
| Short-term (C) visa holders: If you will be staying in Estonia for more than 90 days, begin applying for a long-term (D) visa at the Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB). | Immediately upon arrival in Tartu. | |
| Long-term (D) visa holders: Apply for an Estonian ID code (isikukood) at the Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli Street 17). | As soon as possible. | UT will add your ID code to your profile in SIS, so there is no need to send it to us. We will receive it directly from the Tartu Welcome Centre. The ID code allows you to register with a family doctor and access various e-services. |
| EU citizens_1: Register as a resident of Tartu at the Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli Street 17) to obtain the right of residence in Estonia and receive your ID code. | Within one month after your arrival in Estonia. | UT will add your ID code to your profile in SIS, so there is no need to send it to us. We will receive it directly from the Tartu Welcome Centre. The ID code allows you to register with a family doctor and access various e-services. |
| EU citizens_2: After completing the registration step, you must apply for an Estonian ID card at the Police and Border Guard Board (Riia Street 132). | After registering as a resident of Tartu. | The ID card certifies your right of residence in Estonia. It is compulsory and allows you to access various e-services. |
| Start looking for a family doctor and register with the doctor of your choice. | As soon as possible. | Estonian health care system and safety |
| Action | Timeframe | More information |
|---|---|---|
| Your UT username and password will be sent to you via email. If you have not received them, please email internationalstudent@ut.ee. | At the beginning of studies, once your matriculation is officially completed and your UT student status is activated. | All incoming students will be assigned a university email address in the format firstname.lastname@ut.ee, which will be used for all official communication with the university. Reminder: Non-EU/EEA citizens must complete their arrival registration before receiving their UT login credentials. For more information, please see: Getting Started webpage |
| Fill out your contact information in the Study Information System (SIS). | Within two weeks after the beginning of the semester. | Make sure your details are correct and keep them updated throughout your studies. |
| Register for courses in the Study Information System (SIS). | Within two weeks of the beginning of the semester. | If you have any questions regarding course registration, please email your programme's study advisor. Student Advisers Contact Information |
| The "Proof of Study" document | Your student status must be active to receive the "Proof of Study" document. | To request your "Proof of Study" document, please email the Dean's Office first; do not visit the office in person. It is not mandatory, but it may be required for various purposes, such as opening a bank account, etc. |
| Students receiving a stipend from UT: To receive your stipend, you are advised to open a local bank account and enter the account number into the SIS. | Within the first weeks of the semester (not in the first week). | To open a bank account, you will need to request a "Proof of Study" document from the respective Dean's Office at the beginning of the semester. This document verifies your student status at UT. Please email the Dean's Office first; do not visit the office in person. |
Tuition fee contracts: Must be signed at the respective Dean’s Office or institute. Students will be informed about the specific location and timing (which may vary across study fields). Tuition-waiver scholarship contracts: Will be sent to students by email, along with further instructions. This section applies only to students enrolled in English-taught study programmes (excluding PhD students). | Within two weeks after the beginning of the semester. | Covering the Cost of Tuition |
Long-term (D) visa holders: Apply for an Estonian ID code (isikukood) at the Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli Street 17). Note: If you will be studying in Estonia for more than one year and have not yet applied for an Estonian temporary residence permit (TRP) for studies, you should begin the application process at the Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB) as soon as possible. | Immediately upon arrival in Tartu. | UT will add your ID code to your profile in SIS, so there is no need to send it to us. We will receive it directly from the Tartu Welcome Centre. The ID code allows you to register with a family doctor and access various e-services. |
| Non-EU citizens: After receiving your TRP card (if applicable), register as a resident of Tartu at the Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli Street 17). | As soon as possible after receiving your TRP card. | Tartu Welcome Centre contacts and services |
| EU citizens_1: Register as a resident of Tartu at the Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli Street 17) to obtain the right of residence in Estonia and receive your ID code. | Within one month after your arrival in Estonia. | UT will add your ID code to your profile in SIS, so there is no need to send it to us. We will receive it directly from the Tartu Welcome Centre. The ID code allows you to register with a family doctor and access various e-services. |
| EU citizens_2: After completing the registration step, you must apply for an Estonian ID card at the Police and Border Guard Board (Riia Street 132). | After registering as a resident of Tartu. | The ID card certifies your right of residence in Estonia. It is compulsory and allows you to access various e-services. |
| Pay your tuition fee (if applicable). | Based on the invoice issued by UT. | Tuition fees |
| Start looking for a family doctor and register with the doctor of your choice. | As soon as possible. | Estonian health care system and safety |
| 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. |
|
| Conclude period plan and insert it to the SIS. | Within one month after matriculation | PhD period plan. |
| Conclude supervision agreement. | Within one month after matriculation | PhD supervision agreement. |
| To receive salary from UT, there is no need to insert your bank account number into SIS. In single cases an Estonian bank account may be needed for receiving some stipend from UT, in that case Estonian banck account number is needed in 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 Non-EU citizen resident permits and visas.
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| 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. | |
| 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 |
| 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 physical application process described here (ID card/TRP card is not needed, see the title "If you don't have a valid ID card"). 3. LHV virtual ISIC Student Card (Estonian ID code is needed).
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| ESNcard | Proves your status as a member of the Erasmus Student Network; several discounts; benefits in Tartu | No | ESN Tartu office Tue and Thu 19:30-20:30 | 16 € |
| 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. | 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
| 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 |
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| I am from a non-EU country and have D-type visa |
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| I am from a non-EU country and have TRP of any EU member state for my studies in Estonia |
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| I am from a non-EU country and have TRP |
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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:
- A foreign national who has been granted temporary residence permit (TRP) in Estonia.
- Citizen of the European Union who has acquired the temporary right of residence in Estonia.
- 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 | UT Library | helpdesk@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 | Emergency number: 112 Police & Border Guard Address: Riia 132 | ||
| Banking - opening account | Tartu Welcome Centre |
