Estonia, a digital nation in northern Europe, has been ranked as the easiest European Country where a work visa can be obtained.
Investors King reports that application for the work visa can be done through the official ‘Work in Estonia website’ for a one year work visa with an option of renewal.
Estonia is rated the easiest country amongst other European countries to obtain a work visa because it accepts such visas massively. Though, its visa applications received are quite low when compared to others.
The work visa application fee is pegged at €100 while it is processed and made available in 30 days.
The visa package consists of visitation to other Schengen countries for not more than three months within 180 days, and a residency permit can be obtained after two months.
On the ‘Work in Estonia website’, new job opportunities in the countries are posted daily awaiting applications.
To apply for the work visa, here are the criteria:
- Be qualified physically and mentally for the job and receive a legitimate employment agreement. Thereafter your employer must register you with the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board.
- Provide all the requirements for an Estonian work visa such as a current passport, two passport-size photos, and an application form.
- Fill out the application form online. Select the long-stay D visa option, and make sure you fully complete it with all the correct information after which you print a hard copy and sign it at the end.
- You must pay for your visa application after completing the application form. When you present the documents at the consulate or embassy, you can make payment.
- With other requested documents, affix the payment receipt.
- A certificate of your legal health insurance. Your health insurance must have a coverage limit and be valid throughout the entire Schengen region. You will be covered by Estonian health insurance once you enter the country.
- Documents demonstrating that you have a place to stay while visiting Estonia, which should: Proof of lodging, lease or contract, an invitation letter, etc.
- A cover letter introducing the sender to the embassy.
- A criminal record. This document must be released by the police authorities in your home country and must demonstrate that you have a clean criminal record.
- Work agreement. The work contract must specify the nature of the work you will be performing in Estonia. It must include your salary, work hours, and so on. This document demonstrates that you have a job waiting for you in Estonia.
- Documents proving personal qualification. These documents demonstrate that you are qualified for the position for which you have applied. They should be a certificate of your educational level, CV, driving license (if applicable), etc.
- Registering employment in Estonia. Your employer must register your short-term employment in Estonia. This document allows you to work in Estonia until you receive your residence permit. For your employer to apply for your short-term employment, you must give them a copy of your passport, photo, and other required personal details. After that, you will receive an ID code, an 11-digit number used to identify your details in Estonia.
For an extension of the work visa to stay longer than the initial one-year plan, an application for a temporary residence permit is required after settling in the country which could run for up to five years and is still renewable. The renewal application must be done at least three working days before the visa expires. Also, the application must be submitted personally at any of the Police and Border Guard Board offices in Estonia.
Family members are welcomed on an Estonian work visa and they will be allowed to work, study and stay in the country. Family members are identified as spouse (partner), cohabiting partner, child (under the age of 18), and older relatives (if they are older than age 65) with health problems.
Here are other major highlights on working in Estonia:
- There is no such thing in Estonia as a special “work permit”. You can work there if your employer has registered your short-term employment and your stay is legal (e.g., you have a D-visa) or if you have a valid (temporary) residence permit for working.
- In Estonia, the average monthly wage is €1,150. The amount you earn each month depends on the job.
- Asides from rent, the average monthly expense in Estonia for a single person is (€661). You might have to pay as much as €188 per month for premium health insurance, depending on the type of insurer you select.
- You must initially apply for a temporary residence permit (for work up to 5 years with your first permit).
- You can apply for a long-term residence permit once you have been a temporary resident of Estonia for five years.
