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Long-stay (D) visa

A long-stay (D) visa is an Estonian visa which may be issued for single or multiple entries into Estonia. D-visa may be issued for the period of stay of up to 365 days within twelve consecutive months and it allows to stay in the whole Schengen Area up to 90 days. In case of two consecutive long-stay visas, the whole period of stay shall not be longer than 548 days within 730 consecutive days. Outside of US, a long-stay visa can be lodged in person at any Estonian representation which handles visa applications or at a service point of the Police and Border Guard Board in Estonia. Documents to be submitted upon application for a long-stay visa:

  • travel document which is issued within previous 10 years, contains at least two blank pages for visas and is valid at least 3 months after the expiration date of the visa;
  • fully completed, printed and signed ONLINE application form;
  • photo (size 35×45 mm);
  • insurance policy covering expenses due to illness or injury during the period of validity of the visa, in case of a multiple entry visa until the end of the first intended period of stay;
  • documents indicating the purpose of journey:

– confirmation letter from the host; – documents proving that applicant is going to work in Estonia (confirmation from the employer, registration of short-term employment); – documents proving that applicant is going to study in Estonia; – documents proving family ties or marital status if the purpose of journey is to visit a private person.

During the examination of an application, a consular officer may request additional documents.

  • at the time of submission of the application, biometrical data – 10 fingerprints of the applicant is collected; children under the age of 12 and persons for whom fingerprinting is physically impossible shall be exempt form the requirement to give fingerprints;
  • visa fee 

Please note that visa fee will be taken for processing the visa application.

Exceptions when visa applications are submitted to the Estonian representation instead of VFS:

Working Holiday visa for the citizens of Australia and New Zealand Under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the Governments of Australia and New Zealand visas are being issued, granting the right to work to 18-30 year old Australian and New Zealand citizens, who may stay in Estonia for up to a year. The work done within that period has to contribute to the main purpose of stay in the country, namely to recreation in Estonia; and those using the opportunity must not work for the same employer longer than three months. The citizens of Australia and New Zealand willing to benefit from the application of those Agreements have to apply for long-stay (D) visa at the Estonian representation which is handling visa applications. More information: Australia; New Zealand (181.88 KB, PDF)

Working Holiday visa for the citizens of Canada
Under the Bilateral Youth Mobility Agreement between Canada and Estonia visas are being issued, granting the right to work to 18-35 year old Canadian citizens, who may stay in Estonia for up to a year. The citizens of Canada willing to benefit from the application of this Agreement have to apply for long-stay (D) visa at the Estonian representation which is handling visa applications.
More information:
Full text (both in Estonian and English versions) of the Agreement can be found on the website of Riigi Teataja.
Estonian Embassy in Ottawa

Working Holiday visa for the citizens of Japan
Under the Arrangement between the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the Government of Japan visas are being issued, granting the right to work to 18-30 year old Japanese citizens, who may stay in Estonia for up to a year. The citizens of Japan willing to benefit from the application of this Agreement have to apply for D type visa at the Estonian Embassy in Tokyo.
More information:
Full text (both in Estonian and English versions) of the Arrangement can be found on the website of Riigi Teataja
Estonian Embassy in Tokyo

Appealing and complaints

Foreign citizen has the right to appeal the decision on refusal, annulment or revocation of a visa and submit complaints about the conduct of the consulate staff, the external service provider or the visa application process.