Rights of residence for students outside EU
Third country (non EU citizens) students have to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) for Study at the Estonian embassy in their home country. If you’re a Master’s or a PhD student, you can also enter the country with a long-stay D-visa and apply for a TRP in Estonia.
Please find where are the nearest Estonian embassies from the Ministry of Foreign affair’s homepage.
TRP is valid for a maximum of one year and should be renewed at least 2 months before the date of expiration. Owning TRP grants an access to open local bank account free of charge, use Tallinn’s public transportation free of charge, apply for a need-based allowance etc.
Students from third countries have to register their place of residence at the Local Government Authority (at Pärnu mnt 9) within 1 month from the arrival to Estonia on the basis of residence permit for study and accommodation contract.
NB! Please start with the application process as early as possible as it takes at least 2 months to receive TRP for Studies.
Applying for a TRP
Please schedule an appointment for your interview in the nearest Estonian embassy and bring with you the following documents:
1. An application for a Temporary Residence Permit. Instuctions for filling in the application can be found here.
2. University’s invitation (Annex 4). Please note that this document is sent by the university to the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board.
3. Data concerning close relatives and family members
4. A document proving sufficient legal income of the applicant
5. 1 color photo with measures 40×50 mm
6. An identity document
7. A document stating the payment of the state fee
Rights of residence for students from EU
EU citizens have the right to stay in Estonia on the basis of a valid travel document or identity card for the period of up to three months. In order to obtain the right of temporary residence an EU citizen must contact the local government authority nearest to his/her place of residence and register his/her residence within three months from the date of entering Estonia. The temporary residence permit is usually granted for the period of 5 years.
Also you must apply for an identity card (ID card) which certifies the right of temporary residence, within one month from the acquisition of the right of temporary residence at the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board.
For applying for the ID card please bring with you:
1. Identification document
2. Photo (can use the photo booth)
3. State fee 25€