Liis Valk
31.08.2012
Students residing and working in Estonia
General rules for studing in Estonia
Right to stay for study purposes is different for EU nationals and third country nationals:
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1. Third country nationals in Estonia with a visa or visa free status have the right to study
2. If third country nationals wish to settle for longer period, they need to apply for a residence permit
3. If you study in Master’s study or Doctor’s study then you can hand in the residence permit application in Estonia
4. Nationals with visa free status can hand in any type of residence permit application in Estonia
1. EU nationals have a right to enter and stay for 3 months, includes right to study
2. EU nationals receive a temporary right of residence when registering place of residence in Estonia and apply for an ID-card. Includes right to study
General rules about students working
Right to work is different for EU nationals and third country nationals:
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1. Third country nationals who are staying in Estonia with a visa, do not have a right to work
2. Third country nationals who are staying in Estonia with a residence permit for studies, have a limited right to work
EU nationals have an unlimited right to work and study in Estonia
STUDENTS WHO ARE THIRD COUNTRY NATIONALS
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Staying in Estonia with a C or D type visa or visafree
Have a right to study in Estonia Do not have a right to work in Estonia If you are doing your internship and do not receive
salary for it, then this is not considered as working and therefore, it is allowed
In certain circumstances, it is possible to work for short term. For further information please go to: http://politsei.ee/en/teenused/working-in-estonia/registering-of-temporary-working/
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How to apply for a residence permit?
If you are staying in Estonia with a visa free status or you have a visa and you study in Master’s or Doctor’s study then you can apply for a residence permit in PBGB service office: In Tallinn Vilmsi street 59 or Sõle street 61a Reception hours: Mon-Fri 9.00-18.00
Application needs to be presented personally
Hand in the application immediately, do not wait until the end of your right to stay because then you will be obliged to leave the country.
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Documents to apply for a residence permit
Application form + annexes (available here: http://politsei.ee/en/teenused/residence-permit/tahtajaline-elamisluba/oppimiseks/ )
Invitation/consent from school a language skills certificate issued by the school Written explanation why he/she wishes to settle to study in Estonia a document which certifies the legal income of the applicant or
his/her parent, spouce an identity document of the applicant photo State fee 63,91 € Insurance contract- (Some examples: If, Inges, ERGO, ISL Plan
General, Cristal Studies, Swisscare etc)7
Right to work for students with residence permit Residence permit to study full time
practical training pursuant to the curriculum of the studies (pay or no pay) – allowed, no need for separate work permit
Voluntary practical training- if receive payment, then work permit necessary. If no payment, then no need for work permit
Other work- only allowed if school agrees, need to apply for a separate work permit
Residence permit to study in preparatory courses No practical training pursuant to the curriculum of the studies Voluntary practical training- if receive payment, then work permit
necessary. If no payment, then no need for work permit Other work- only allowed if school agrees, need to apply for a
separate work permit
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How to apply for a separate work permit?
1. Before application: You need to have a specific job You need to have a written consent from the
school
2. Application can be sent by post or presented personally in PBGB service office
3. When work permit is granted, then you will be issued a new residence permit card (need to pick it up personally)
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Documents to apply for a work permit
application form an identity document of the applicant photo State fee 47,93 EUR written agreement of the school for working Information in free-form:
explanation why you wish to work data of the working place description of work contract data
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STUDENTS WHO ARE EU NATIONALS
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EU Nationals in Estonia
EU nationals (including Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland) have a right to stay in Estonia for up to 3 months. During that time they have unlimited right to work and study in Estonia (no separate permit)
EU nationals who wish to stay longer, need to register their place of residence in Estonia (local municipality office) and then apply for an Estonian identification card in service office (this gives a temporary right of residence for 5 years). During that time they have unlimited right to work and study in Estonia (no separate permit)
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NOTE FOR ALL
If you have questions about your right to stay amd/or work, please contact PBGB information number or send an email
Application for extension of the residence permit needs to be submitted 2 months before the end of residence permit
Please do not leave the country for summer break before you have received your new residence permit card
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