Long-Stay Estonia-Visa

If you ever had a dream of traveling to Europe, then Estonia could be the best destination. Estonia has a lot to offer, and the best part is that it’s situated between the two huge blues – Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, just close to Latvia and Russia. Citizens of EU, EEA, and Switzerland can enter Estonia without any additional visa or residence permit. But if you’re from another country, then you may need a long-stay Estonia-visa to stay in the country for a longer period.

What is Long-Stay Estonia-Visa?

Long-stay Estonia-visa is a visa that allows non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens to stay in Estonia for extended periods. It is a type of Residency Permit which is issued for a particular purpose. Suppose if you want to stay in Estonia for a longer period to run a business, you need a Business visa (also called an Entrepreneur visa). Similarly, if you want to study in Estonia, you need to apply for a Student visa.

What are the Requirements for Long-Stay Estonia-Visa?

The requirements for a long-stay Estonia-visa depend on the purpose of your visit. You need to provide your passport and other relevant documents according to the category of long-stay Estonia-visa you are applying for. Generally the documents required to process the visa are:

– Valid passport with a validity of at least 3 months,
– Duly filled Estonia-visa application form,
– Recent passport-sized photograph,
– Proof of your travel and health insurance,
– Proof of sufficient funds,
– Medical certificates,
– Proof of accommodation and
– Bona relevant documents.

How to Apply for Long-Stay Estonia-Visa?

To apply for a long-stay Estonia-visa you need to submit the above mentioned documents at the nearest Estonia embassy/consulate in your country. You need to fill out an application form and provide the required documents. It is important to note that you should submit all the documents in original. After submitting your application, you can expect a response in 4 to 8 weeks.

What are the Benefits of Long-Stay Estonia-Visa?

With a long-stay Estonia-visa, you can benefit in many ways:

– You can stay in Estonia for up to one year and can extend the visa for another three years.
– You can work and open a business in Estonia.
– You can avail healthcare facility from the Estonia government.
– You can continue your education in Estonia.

How Can I Extend my Long-Stay Estonia-Visa?

If your visa is about to expire, you can extend it up to three more years. To extend your long-stay Estonia-visa, you need to submit a renewal application with relevant documents at the nearest Estonia embassy/consulate in your country. The documents required for a renewal are:

– Valid passport with a validity of at least 3 months,
– A duly filled application form,
– Recent passport-sized photographs,
– Proof of travel and medical insurance,
– Evidence of your financial status,
– Medical certificates,
– Proof of accommodation and
– Bona relevant documents.

Once you submit the renewal application, you can expect a response in 4 to 8 weeks.

Additional Details

You should bear in mind that after your long-stay Estonia-visa expires, it is necessary to leave Estonia within 10 days. Moreover, if you want to stay in Estonia for more than 364 days, then you need to apply for a Residence Permit. It is important to note that you should keep all the documents required for a long-stay Estonia-visa in an organized manner so that you don’t miss any important document while submitting your visa application.

How Do I Check the Status of my Application?

Once you have submitted your application for a long-stay Estonia-visa, you can check the status of your application online. The website of the Estonia embassy/consulate typically has an online portal where you can enter your application tracking number and get the information about your visa application.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ensure that you don’t make any mistakes while applying for a long-stay Estonia-visa:

– Ensure that the documents you provide are accurate and up-to-date.
– Don’t forget to sign the application form.
– Ensure that you have all the documents handy when you go to the embassy/consulate.
– Ensure that you have the same ID which you had used for registration.
– Ensure that you have checked all the details thoroughly before submitting the application.

Conclusion

Long-stay Estonia-visa is necessary if you want to stay in Estonia for an extended period. The requirements and application process of long-stay Estonia-visa is relatively simple. You can get the visa in 4 to 8 weeks after submitting your application and documents. Make sure that you provide up-to-date and accurate information. If you make any mistakes, you may face difficulties in getting the visa or may even be denied. With the help of long-stay Estonia-visa, you can avail all the benefits along with the right to work and open a business in Estonia.