Estonia’s Work Visa in 2024. What is a work visa, what are the new updates, and how can you obtain a work visa in Estonia?
Introduction
Estonia It’s a stunning country in Europe. Only 1.3 million people are living there. That’s 1.3 million individuals. The populations of Estonia and Islamabad are the same. It borders Norway on one side. It borders Norway to the north. Lithuania and Latvia, aside from Finland and every other nation.
Estonia provides the best employment opportunities for highly educated, skilled, and unskilled workers. If you are looking for these types of jobs and want to apply, visit Falisha Manpower, the best recruitment agency in Pakistan. This recruitment agency provides the best recruiting services to companies around the globe, including those in Middle Eastern and Central European countries.
Types of work visas in Estonia
If you are planning to move to Estonia, compared to other countries, you are not required to get an Estonian work permit in addition to your visa. While some countries, including other EU members, have separate entitlements for living and working, Estonia only has one. In Estonia, obtaining a work visa is very easy. If you are already living in a European country, then your process will be a little different, and if you have to come to Estonia to work, you can come directly to Estonia because you have the option to come and stay in Estonia for 90 days, and in that period you can process your work visa.
Now let’s talk about the many kinds of work visas available in Estonia.
Work visas for European Union (EU) citizens
Estonia is a member of the EU, which means that the work visa requirements for Estonia are straightforward and match the criteria for EU citizens as compared to non-EU citizens. Besides EU citizens, this option is also available for citizens of Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, who belong to the European Economic Area (EEA).
If you live in any of the aforementioned countries and intend to stay and work in Estonia for more than 90 days, you will need to officially register in Estonia’s Population Register where you plan to reside during your stay.
Long-term residence permit
For non-EU nationals who have been living and working in Estonia for five years with a temporary residence permit, a long-term residency permit is possible. You are permitted to live in Estonia for the duration of your stay.
Temporary residence permit
For anyone outside the European Union who plans to live and work in Estonia for more than a year, a temporary residence permit is required. You can remain in Estonia for a maximum of five years if you have a temporary residence permit. Just like with a D visa, for your application to be granted, your residency must be sponsored by a local employer.
D-Visa
If you plan to stay in Estonia for more than 90 days, you need to obtain a D visa. The D visa is for non-EU citizens who intend to live and work in Estonia. To get a D visa for Estonia, you need an employer who is already working and living in Estonia for an extended period, as he will sponsor your visa.
C- Visa
Visa C is generally a short-term visa. For example, in tourism, if you attend a conference, visit an acquaintance or friend, or participate in a short-term course, You cannot stay for more. than 90 days with Visa C. Similarly, you cannot work, pursue long-term education, or manage a business with Visa C.
Is the C visa convertible or not?
A C visa can be converted into a long-term visa. Generally, it is very difficult. According to the immigration office, it is difficult to convert a Schengen visa or short-term visa into a long-term visa. I would say that in 90% of cases, it may not be possible, but there are some exceptions.
Work visas for European Union (EU) citizens
Estonia is a member of the EU, which means that the work visa requirements for Estonia are straightforward and match the criteria for EU citizens as compared to non-EU citizens. Besides EU citizens, this option is also available for citizens of Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, who belong to the European Economic Area (EEA).
If you live in any of the aforementioned countries and intend to stay and work in Estonia for more than 90 days, you will need to officially register in Estonia’s Population Register where you plan to reside during your stay.
Business Schengen visa
A business Schengen visa is for individuals who are already residing in another Schengen member area and wish to visit Estonia for business purposes. This is a short-term visa, and it does not allow the individual to work or stay long-term in Estonia.
The Digital Nomad Schengen visa is designed for individuals who are from another Schengen member area and are working remotely or as freelancers.
The Digital Nomad Schengen visa has two types: Type C and Type D.
1: Type C Digital Nomad Schengen Visa Estonia:
If you have a Type C Digital Nomad Schengen visa for Estonia, you can stay and work in the country as a digital nomad for up to 90 days (similar to a Business Schengen visa).
2: Type D Digital Nomad Visa for Estonia:
If you have a Type D Digital Nomad visa for Estonia, you can stay and work in the country as a digital nomad for up to 12 months.
Estonia Wants to Make It Mandatory for Short-Term Workers to Obtain 1-Year Viss
Estonia wants to make it mandatory for foreigners seeking short-term employment to obtain a one-year visa before entering the country for work purposes. By making such a change in visa regulations for short-term workers, the Estonian government aims to mitigate migration risks. As ERR explains, in line with the current rules, all migrants in Estonia can engage in short-term employment with temporary visas or without visas, provided that their employment is registered. However, the proposed change would make it mandatory for short-term workers to obtain long-term visas that are valid for 365 days before starting to work in the country. Commenting on the matter, the head of the Border Guard and Migration Policy Department of the Interior Ministry, Janek Mägi, said that this measure is necessary to address the issue of individuals entering Estonia on tourist visas and then engaging in employment.
But agriculture is concerned about the new rules making it harder to hire foreign workers. The head of the agricultural sector at the Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce, Ragnar Viikoja, said that if the government decides to make it mandatory for short-term workers to obtain one-year visas, it will become more expensive for both parties to complete the procedures. The agricultural sector of Estonia heavily relies on foreign workers when it comes to tasks that require manual labor. The Head of the Agricultural Sector at the Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce, Ragnar Viikoja, suggested that seasonal workers be exempted from this requirement. He further emphasized that the authorities can maintain thorough background checks without imposing burdensome visa requirements. In response to these concerns, Mägi clarified that the proposed changes would not affect seasonal workers such as strawberry pickers who work in the country for only limited periods within a year.
Requirements: Applying for Estonian Work Visas
The requirements for Estonian visas vary based on the type of visa you’re applying for. The process of obtaining the necessary documents to be able to live and work in Estonia is much more difficult for non-EU citizens.
- European-style CV or resume
- Tax letter
- Family Registration Form
- Marriage Registration Form if you are married
- A complete invitation letter from the employer (to be submitted before you file your application).
- A document verifying your identification
- A completed Data Concerning Close Relatives and Family Members form
- A receipt indicating you have paid the fees associated with your visa application
- An unedited, color photograph that meets the following requirements
- The background of the photograph must be white or another light color.
- You should be looking directly at the camera with a neutral facial expression.
- Your face should be centered and fill up the majority of the space in the photograph.
- Your face should be free of any headgear (glasses are acceptable so long as they are not reflective and your eyes are still visible).
- The electronic photo must be larger than 1 MB and smaller than 5 MB.
- The electronic photo must have the following dimensions: 1,300 pixels by 1,600 pixels
- Depending on your profession and experience, you may be required to submit permission to the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund.
- A completed Data Concerning Close Relatives and Family Members form
- A valid passport is required, at least with two unused pages. If your passport is set to expire within 3 months, your visa will expire.
- 2 passport-size photos
Important Steps to Complete the Process of Estonian Work Visas
The process of applying for a visa in Estonia involves several steps:
Step 1: First, a passport with a validity of six months is required.
Step 2: The second document is Estonia’s D Visa application.
Step 3: Your insurance coverage capacity should be above 30000 euros.
Step 4: The fourth requirement is to properly mention the purpose of your trip.
Step 5: Before applying for a work visa, you should first get a job or study letter. If you are coming to Estonia for work, you must have an admission letter.
Step 6: The next step is to pay the embassy fee, which is 100 euros for adults and 40 euros for children under the age of 12.
Step 7: You will need to show proof of your residence.
Step 8: Show proof of sufficient funds. Living costs in Estonia vary depending on the duration of your stay. Southern Europe, like Portugal or Spain, has lower living costs, while Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Estonia have higher living costs. The lifestyle in Estonia is different from that in other EU countries, with higher rent and food costs.
What is the processing time for an Estonian visa?
The processing time for an Estonian visa may take around 15 to 45 days. In certain cases, the time taken to process an Estonian visa may extend to 60 days. Therefore, it is best to plan and apply several weeks in advance to speed up the process. You can get More Information about the Estonian work visa process from Manpower Recruitment Agency.
What is the cost of an Estonian work visa?
The Estonia work visa fee is 100 euros, which is paid using an online embassy credit card.
Eligibility Criteria for an Estonian Work Visa
To obtain the Estonia work visa, you have to meet the following criteria:
- Before beginning your visa application, your employer will need to submit an employment registration on your behalf with the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board.
- You will need to be qualified to perform all aspects of the job you’re being hired for.
- You will need a valid employment contract with an organization that is legally entitled to operate in Estonia.
- You will need to meet the minimum health requirements.
How to get a job in Estonia from Pakistan?
Pakistani citizens looking for employment opportunities in Estonia can apply through Pakistan’s best recruitment agency for Estonia in Pakistan. As of now, in 2024, many top recruitment agencies in Pakistan are provide the best services to 50+ European countries. The second option is to apply online. You can go to Estonia’s job portal website and apply there.
Which jobs are in demand in Estonia?
According to EURES, Estonia is facing a shortage of workers in the following occupations:
- Wood treaters
- Specialist medical practitioners
- Refuse sorters
- Physiotherapists
- Pharmacists
- Paper product machine operators
- Nursing professionals
- Mobile farm and forestry plant operators
- Mixed crop and livestock laborers
- Metal production process controllers
- Messengers, package deliverers,, and luggage porters
- Management and organization analysts
- coastal waters fishery workers
- Information and communication technology operations technicians
- Hunters and trappers
- Healthcare assistants
- General medical practitioners
- Fishery and aquaculture laborers
- Electronics engineering technicians
- Dentists
- Crop farm laborers
- Chemical products plant and machine operators
- Agricultural and industrial machinery mechanics and repairers
This implies that foreigners who have any of these professions and intend to live and work in Estonia have a higher chance of obtaining an Estonian work visa.
