Estonian visa resources
Eligibility for Estonia national long-stay routes
Estonia's long-stay routes require a lawful purpose, sufficient income and, for most residence permits, that you are a non-EU/EEA national who registers your residence locally.
Important
Estonia's national long-stay framework serves people who need to stay longer than a Schengen short stay allows. The long-stay (D) visa covers a stay of up to 365 days within twelve months and can be issued on grounds such as work, study or a pre-existing right of stay. Temporary residence permits are for longer settlement and are required by nationals of countries outside the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Across the routes, applicants must show a genuine purpose (employment, study, business, family, etc.), sufficient legal income to support themselves, and valid health insurance. Residence permit holders must settle in Estonia and register their address in the Population Register.
Residence permit for employment
- For non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals with the appropriate education, experience, health and professional skills for the job
- The employer must be registered in Estonia and, as a rule, pay at least Estonia's average gross salary (subject to exceptions)
- The employer must obtain permission from the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund to recruit the foreign national
- Initial permit up to 5 years; extensions up to 10 years
- Estonian language proficiency at A2 is required for renewals after 5+ years on a permit issued after 15 July 2018
Residence permit for study
- For non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals whose study lasts more than one year at a recognised institution
- The institution must confirm admission
- Applicant must show sufficient income (four times the subsistence level) and hold health insurance
- Issued for the study period, up to 5 years; part-time work alongside full-time study is permitted
Long-stay (D) visa grounds
- Available to those with a lawful purpose and, where relevant, an existing Estonian/Schengen visa or residence permit, treaty-based right, or intra-corporate transfer
- Applicant must show income appropriate to the purpose (thresholds vary by ground) and hold valid insurance
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.