Applying for a visa to the Schengen area

02.05.2008

As of 21 December 2007, Estonia is a part of the Schengen visa area.

VISA TO ENTER ESTONIA

Nationals of the countries listed in the section "Who do not need a visa to visit Estonia" may visit Estonia without a visa.

Nationals of countries NOT LISTED in that section REQUIRE A VISA to enter Estonia.

NOTE: The possession of a visa is only one of the prerequisites for entry into the Estonian territory. The prerequisites for entry will be rechecked upon entering the Estonian territory. The mere fact that a visa has been granted does not mean that the person will be entitled to compensation if failing to comply with relevant regulations and thus refused entry.

Foreign nationals who need an entry visa are requested to apply it at the nearest Estonian mission. In countries where Estonia does not have a mission, another Schengen country may represent Estonia in visa matters (Moldova).

TYPES OF VISAS

Airport transit visa (type A) - Issued for entry into the international transit zone at an Estonian airport and for stay therein, and departure for next transit or arrival country to where the person has a legal permit for entry. This visa shall not grant the alien the right to enter or remain in Estonia.

Transit visa (type B) - Issued for single- or dual-entry transit journey through Estonia to the next transit or arrival country to where the person has a legal permit for entry. Transit visas may also be issued for multiple journeys when necessary for professional or employment assignments.

Short-term visa (type C) - Issued for single- or multiple-entry stays in Schengen area.

Long-term visa (type D) - may be issued to an alien, who wishes to stay in the territory of Estonia longer than three months and it may be issued for single entry without break or for multiple entries, the total duration of which does not exceed six months. A long-term visa may be issued to journalists of foreign countries accredited in Estonia as well as to their family members, to Estonian honorary consuls in foreign countries as well as to their family members and to aliens who have registered their short-time employment.

As family members the following are considered: the spouses of the said persons, their minor children as well as adult children who because of their health condition or disability are not capable of coping independently. In the case of a family member it is important that they should arrive in Estonia either accompanying the said person or to the said person.

Please note that long-term is only valid in Estonia.

APPLYING FOR A VISA

Application for visa and issue of visa at representation of Estonia

The visa application shall be submitted to the responsible diplomatic representation or consular office.

The visa applicant as well as the consular officer must follow the requirements provided by law.

The visa applicant as a rule is required to appear at the foreign representation in person.

At the same time, an alien may submit a visa application through a representative.

Representatives may be:

1. representative of a minor or of a person whose active legal capacity is restricted by a court - a legal representative shall together with the visa application submit a document certifying the right of representation.
   A minor is person under 18 years of age. A person who is at least 15 years old may submit a visa application in person.
   
   
2. couriers of state agencies, administrative or local government agencies or international organisations - the said persons are equipped with documents attesting to their offices and if necessary they are able to add specifications; and
   
   
3. other persons holding the respective authorisation document (an authorisation to submit a visa application and to perform the related operations) - to that group mostly belong the representatives of tourist agencies, who are also competent to explain the travel arrangement and the purposes of the travel.

At the request of the consular officer, the visa applicant is required to appear in the representation. The same applies also in the case, when the visa application has been submitted through a representative.

At the request of a consular officer, an applicant for a visa is required to appear in person in order to provide explanations concerning facts which are relevant in application for the visa or for additional identification.

DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR VISAS

• A valid passport or other travel document which must contain at least two blank pages for visas and be valid at least 3 months after the expiration date of the visa
  
  
• A visa application
  
  
• One recent passport size color photo (size 40 x 50 mm; It should be possible to ascertain the identity of the person) Photo requirements
  
  
• A health insurance policy valid in Estonia (with a coverage of at least 42 673 USD (469 400 EEK) for the entire duration of stay in Estonia), which would grant the covering of treatment costs arising from an illness or injury at the period of validity of the visa being applied for, unless otherwise specified by law or an international agreement;
  
  
• Documents confirming the purpose of the visit (visa invitation or letter of invitation from an international organization, a voucher from a registered tourist/travel agency, a document proving employment in Estonia, transportation tickets, or other similar documents)
  
  
• Proof of sufficient funds during stay in Estonia (eg.documents confirming means of support, employment, income, support from family members, etc)
  
  
• Documents confirming coverage of accommodation and other expenses during stay in Estonia
  
  
• A receipt of payment of a visa fee

Additional documents to be presented upon application for a long-term visa:

(a) Journalists are in addition required to present their accreditation decision and the confirmation of the employer, as well as a guarantee letter on covering the sending costs in Estonia.

(b) A spouse and a minor child applying for a long-term visa shall in addition present a document proving relationship or marital status.

(c) An adult child applying for a long-term visa shall in addition present a document proving relationship as well as a document proving the state of health or disability.

VISA FEES

Exceptions to the fees
*) Nationals of Russia, Ukraine, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia (FYROM), Montenegro, Serbia and Moldova will still be charged 35 euros (54 USD) (Agreements on facilitation of issuance of visas)

VISA APPLICANT'S RIGHTS ON THE PTOTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA

According to the Estonian Personal Data Protection Act, a person has the right to obtain information on his/her personal data and on the processing of such data. A person also has the right to contact the chief processing or authorized agent, the Data Protection Inspectorate, or the Court for the correction or deletion of his/her personal data.

In order to access the personal data entered into the visa registry, a person should contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a diplomatic representation of the Republic of Estonia, or the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Access to such data is provided by the Personal Data Protection Act and the Public Information Act.

The chief processing agent of the visa registry is the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Pikk 61, 15065 Tallinn, Estonia. Tel. +372 612 5008

Information from the State Registry of Prohibitions of Entry may be obtained at www.siseministeerium.ee/17115.