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3 ways to enter

Estonia visas

Estonia student visa

A Schengen visa can cover a short educational visit. Longer study stays generally require a long-stay visa or residence permit. Some school groups can enter without a visa.

Ways to get a Estonia student visa

  1. Schengen visa for a short educational visit

    Visa needed

    Travellers who need a visa and are visiting for study, educational training or scientific research.

    Stay
    Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
    Entries
    One, two or multiple entries may be issued.
    Fee
    Visa application fee waived. An external provider may charge up to EUR 120 extra.
    Processing
    15 calendar days for an admissible application with no issues.
    1. Apply to the embassy or consulate for your main Schengen destination, no more than six months before entry.
    2. Submit the relevant supporting documents.
    3. Attend in person for your first application and provide any required biometrics.

  2. Visa-free school group visit

    No visa needed

    School pupils who are not European single market citizens but legally live there, travel with a general education school group and are accompanied by a teacher from that school.

    Stay
    A short stay or transit.

  3. Long-stay study visa or residence permit

    Other permit

    Non-European single market citizens planning a study stay longer than 90 days generally need a long-stay visa or residence permit.

    Stay
    A long-stay visa generally covers less than one year; a residence permit covers longer periods.

Who needs it

Travellers who require a visa for a short educational visit must apply unless an exemption applies. Non-European single market citizens generally need a long-stay visa or residence permit for stays over 90 days.

Who doesn't

Qualifying school pupils who legally live in the European single market can enter without a visa when travelling with their school group and teacher.

How to apply

  1. For a short visit, apply to Estonia's embassy or consulate if Estonia is your main destination.
  2. Submit the application no more than six months before entry, with the relevant supporting documents.
  3. Attend in person and complete an interview for your first Schengen visa application.
  4. Provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required.

What to bring

  • A recognised travel document.
  • Relevant supporting documents for study or educational training.
  • Fingerprints and a digital photo, if required.

Good to know

  • A fee waiver does not remove the need to apply for a visa or provide supporting documents.
  • Long-stay visa and residence permit conditions depend on the country issuing them.
  • Children under 12 do not give fingerprints.
  • Detailed Estonian requirements for long-term study are not specified.

Questions

Do I need a student visa for Estonia?

Travellers who require a visa for a short educational visit must apply unless an exemption applies. Non-European single market citizens generally need a long-stay visa or residence permit for stays over 90 days. Qualifying school pupils who legally live in the European single market can enter without a visa when travelling with their school group and teacher.

What are the ways to get a student visa for Estonia?

There are 3 options: Schengen visa for a short educational visit (a visa from an embassy); Visa-free school group visit (no visa at all); Long-stay study visa or residence permit (a special permit).

Who can go to Estonia without a student visa?

School pupils who are not European single market citizens but legally live there, travel with a general education school group and are accompanied by a teacher from that school.

How long can I stay on a Estonia student visa?

Short stays usually fall within the 90 days in any 180-day period limit.

How much does a Estonia student visa cost?

The Schengen visa application fee is waived for study, educational training and scientific research. An external provider may charge a service fee.

How long does a Estonia student visa take?

15 calendar days for an admissible short-stay visa application with no issues.

What documents do I need for a Estonia student visa?

A recognised travel document.; Relevant supporting documents for study or educational training.; Fingerprints and a digital photo, if required..

How do I apply for a Estonia student visa?

1. 1. For a short visit, apply to Estonia's embassy or consulate if Estonia is your main destination. 2. 2. Submit the application no more than six months before entry, with the relevant supporting documents. 3. 3. Attend in person and complete an interview for your first Schengen visa application. 4. 4. Provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required.

What rules do I have to follow on a Estonia student visa?

A fee waiver does not remove the need to apply for a visa or provide supporting documents. Long-stay visa and residence permit conditions depend on the country issuing them.

Does my passport change whether I need a student visa for Estonia?

Yes. Rules depend on the country that issued your passport. Open the Estonia visa page and choose your passport for a plain answer.

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