Estonia is an emerging and advancing European country that's a great place for companies looking to establish a European presence. Thanks to simple visa requirements and the option to bring families, many...
Read MoreEstonia is an emerging and advancing European country that's a great place for companies looking to establish a European presence. Thanks to simple visa requirements and the option to bring families, many individuals are drawn to the prospect of a job in the country. If your company is looking to expand, however, you'll need to know how to get a work visa in Estonia to stay compliant, avoid fines, and harness the talent of a global workforce.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Estonia is an emerging and advancing European country that’s a great place for companies looking to establish a European presence. Thanks to simple visa requirements and the option to bring families, many individuals are drawn to the prospect of a job in the country. If your company is looking to expand, however, you’ll need to know how to get a work visa in Estonia to stay compliant, avoid fines, and harness the talent of a global workforce.
Estonia has three different visa categories:
Type A and C visas are Schengen visas and allow for entry to other member states. Individuals only entering Estonia can apply with the appropriate Estonian representation issuing the visas. However, if the visit includes going to several member states over two months, the applicant must go to the main destination to file the application.
While there are some exceptions, most of your employees will apply for a long-stay visa. They can do so in person with an Estonian representation that handles visa applications or at the service point of the Police and Border Guard Board in the country.
Your employees will need to meet certain requirements to obtain an Estonia work visa. First, they’ll require a job offer from you as an Estonian employer. You should also provide a recognized work contract proving that they will work for you. It’s important to provide a letter of invitation that you submit to the Police and Border Guard Board. In some cases, the applicant will need permission from the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund for employment. If your employee is a top specialist, they may need to meet additional requirements.
You will need to submit several documents to obtain a long-stay work visa in Estonia, including:
Citizens from non-EU countries who want to work in Estonia for longer than six months should apply for a residence permit as well as a long-stay visa. First, your employees can obtain a temporary residence permit for up to two years. After living in Estonia for five years with a temporary residence permit, they can apply for a long-term residence permit that functions similarly to an Estonian work permit.
Need to onboard international employees right now? We can help with your global hiring needs. Contact us and request a proposal.
–
At this moment, Globalization Partners does not offer support processing work visas or permits in this particular location.
For any other inquiries about our global employment platform, contact us today.
If you’re ready to grow your business, or you have questions about a specific country, complete the form. One of our experts will be in touch shortly.
