How To Get A Work Permit In Estonia

This article is specifically written for foreigners who are interested in getting a work permit in Estonia. I have been studying the Estonian labor laws and procedures in detail and will share my knowledge with you.

The Estonian Government offers a variety of services to those who wish to apply for a work permit. However, the conditions placed on individuals which are stricter than other EU member states and to some can be difficult to meet. Despite this, there remains a high demand in foreign workers looking for employment in Estonia.

It is vital for non-EU citizens who are interested to work in Estonia to get a work permit. Read on to take a look at the most important steps and key information of getting a work permit in Estonia.

Following an expansion of the European Union in 2004, Estonia has been a country particularly open to accepting non-Estonians. In fact, their allowance for non-Estonian residents even extends to a visa-free regime for many countries including Americans.

According to the OECD, Estonia is one of the countries with the highest emigration rate among its native-born population. About 33% of all employed Estonians work abroad at least for a year. This means that if you are an experienced employee, this strategy might be a really good one for you.

How To Get A Work Permit In Estonia

If you want to work in Estonia and you are a non-EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen, you must apply for an Estonia work visa. A work visa will allow you to work and stay in Estonia for one year; however, the visa is renewable. 

If you have questions regarding the application method and the visa requirements, you will find all the information you need in this article. 

Do I Need a Visa to Work in Estonia?

Everyone from non-EU/EEA/Switzerland must apply for a work visa if they want to work in Estonia. A work visa is issued for one year, but you must apply for a temporary residence permit if you stay longer than one year.  

EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens do not need to apply for a work visa to work in Estonia. They must only register as an Estonian resident in the Population Register of Estonia during the first three months of their stay and apply for an ID card within the first month of their stay in Estonia.

Conditions to Obtain an Estonian Work Visa

To apply for an Estonian work visa, you have to meet these conditions:

• Your employer has to register your employment with the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board beforehand.
• You must have a valid work contract.
• You must have the required qualification for the requested work position. 
• You must be in good health condition. 

Estonia Work Visa Requirements

Here are all the requirements for an Estonian work visa:

• Valid Passport. Your passport must be valid at least three months after the return date, and it must have two blank pages. Include a copy of previous visas (if any), and make sure that the passport is in good condition.
• Two passport-size photos. The photos must be taken within the last six months. They must be in color and taken on a light background.  
• Application form. Fill out the application form online. Select the long-stay D visa option, and make sure you fully complete it with all the correct information. After you fully complete it, print a hard copy and sign it at the end.  
• Fee payment. After filling out the application form, you must make the payment for your visa application. The payment can be made in the consulate/embassy when you submit the documents. Attach the receipt of the payment to other requested documents.  
• Health insurance.  A document proving that you have valid health insurance. Your health insurance must be valid within the whole Schengen area and a coverage of €30.000. After entering Estonia, Estonian health insurance will cover you. 
• Proof of accommodation. Document proving that you have a place to stay while being in Estonia. This document can be a rental agreement or contract, a letter of invitation, etc. 
• Cover letter. The cover letter must serve as an introduction letter for the embassy. Therefore, you must include the purpose of your visit to Estonia in detail.
• Criminal record. This document must be released from your home country’s police authorities, and it must prove that you have a clean criminal record. 
• Work contract. The work contract must explain the type of work you will be doing in Estonia. It must include the salary, the duration of your work, etc. This document proves that you have a job waiting in Estonia.
• Personal qualification documents. These documentsprove that you are qualified for the job you have applied too. It includes:
  • A diploma of your educational level
  • Your CV
  • Your driving license (if applicable), etc. 

Note: You must translate the documents into Estonian or English language. The documents must be original or notarized. Keep in mind that the Estonian embassy may request any additional documents; submit everything they request, since any missing documents can lead to your visa refusal. 

How to Apply for an Estonia Work Visa?

The application process for an Estonian work visa is as follows: 

1. Your employer registers your employment in Estonia.  
2. You apply for a work visa at the Estonian embassy in your country.  
3. After entering Estonia, you apply for a residence permit. 

Registering the employment in Estonia

Your employer must register your short-term employment in Estonia. This document allows you to work in Estonia until you receive your residence permit. For your employer to apply for your short-term employment register, you must give them a copy of your passport, photo, and other required personal details. After that, you shall receive the ID code, an 11-digit number used to identify your details in Estonia. 

Applying for a work visa at an Estonian Embassy/Consulate

First, you need to contact the nearest embassy/consulate of Estonia in your home country and book an appointment. You may be required to be interviewed during your visa appointment, so make sure to arrive on time. Next, you need to collect and submit all the requested documents at the Estonian embassy. The documents must follow the embassy requirements and fulfill every condition. 

After fulfilling all the requested steps wait for a response. You will receive a response from the embassy/consulate with the result of your visa application. They will contact you via email or text message. 

Applying for a residence permit

After entering Estonia, you must book an appointment at the Police Border Guard Border and apply for an Estonian residence permit. You must personally submit all the requested documents at the at the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB). After that, you have to register your residence online here or personally at the PBGB. 

After your address registration is finished, you can personalize a public transportation card and enjoy free public transport.