Visa to Estonia for Russians: required documents

There are different types of visas obtained to visit Estonia, each with its own letter designation. More details about each:

1. A - category (transit) can be obtained by tourists who fly to other countries through Estonia. The peculiarity of this visa is that it allows the passenger to be only in the controlled area of ​​the airport during a period of time that allows for a transfer from one air vehicle to another, therefore, it is strictly forbidden to leave the transit zone and move around the country.
2. C - category (issued for a short-term stay in Estonia), a visa of this category is received by citizens who fly to this country as part of a tourist trip, to visit relatives or friends, for business meetings or in transit. But! This visa allows you to travel to all Schengen countries.
3. B - category (national) - its validity applies only to areas of Estonia for a period of three to six months without existing documents confirming the right to temporary or permanent residence. The visa also allows transit through other Schengen countries for 5 days with a ban on staying in them.

The country's accepted currency is the euro, and the official language of the population is Estonian.

The documentation package that must be collected when applying for a visa includes generally accepted requirements.

List of its constituent documents:

• A foreign passport with blank pages to accommodate the proposed visa; the remaining validity of the passport after cancellation of the visa must be at least three months;
• A photocopy of the internal passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation (all facing pages with marks);
• Photos in color 35x45 mm - 2 pcs (photos must be taken no earlier than three months before the date of application);
• Completed official forms from the employer or a document on state registration of an individual entrepreneur, indicating the position, period of work, contact information, salary. (A bank account statement may also be required);
• Medical insurance with a validity period no less than the duration of the visit to Estonia. Coverage must be from 30,000 euros;
• For the unemployed - documentary evidence of the availability of funds for the trip, such evidence may include certificates from the employer of a relative covering expenses, + a photocopy of documents indicating the presence of family ties and their degree, + a letter confirming the acceptance of the applicant’s financial obligations.
• The required funds are calculated based on the norm equal to 64 euros per day;
• Documents about your existing location in the Republic of Estonia, for example, a hotel room reservation.
• Copies of travel documents indicating the time of stay and departure from the country. (Additionally, a description of the route and documents for the personal vehicle in which the applicant is traveling may be required).

For residents of the Russian Federation, Estonia is a fairly popular destination, primarily due to the absence of a language barrier. Many people go to this country to spend their holidays, visit relatives or for the purpose of recovery, because Estonian health resorts are included in the list of the best in Europe. Experienced travelers are already well acquainted with all the formalities and entry rules, but those who are going on a trip for the first time have yet to learn them. Let's consider whether a visa is needed for Estonia, what documents may be needed, how much all this will cost and other relevant issues.

Border crossing rules

Estonia has been part of the Schengen zone since 2007, and holders can freely cross its borders. It does not matter to which country the permit was issued: having a Schengen visa allows you to visit most European countries, including the Baltic states. Many Russians take advantage of this, because, as you know, the Baltic countries are not very loyal to Russian citizens, especially in terms of visa issues.

At the checkpoint, in addition to a visa, each person entering must present for verification a foreign passport and an insurance policy, which must be valid for the entire period of the trip. It is very important to have a sufficient amount of cash with you (at the rate of 56 euros per day per person entering), otherwise you may not be allowed into the country. This does not have to be cash: border guards can present traveler's checks or a bank statement to confirm their financial solvency.

Those traveling by car can pre-book a place in the electronic queue to cross the checkpoint. This will allow you to go through all the formalities faster, because in the live queue the wait can last for several days. Reservations are allowed no earlier than 3 months before the date of entry.

Estonia-Russia border

Required documents

To obtain a visa you will need certain papers:

• a foreign passport with two blank pages, valid for at least three months after the end of the trip;
• civil passport and photocopies of its pages;
• those who have previously used Schengen must present their old passports;
• color photo 35x45 on a white background without corners. The photograph must be no more than six months old before submitting the application. The face must occupy at least 70% of the frame;
• A sample application form can be found on the website of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Be sure to fill in Latin letters. The document is printed and submitted to the Consulate;
• for those who are entering the country for the first time or invited persons, you need to fill out another form;
• a certificate of income of the citizen; the account must contain an amount sufficient for living, at the rate of at least 71 euros per person per day;
• It is mandatory to have an insurance policy in the amount of at least 30 thousand euros;
• confirmation of hotel room reservation;
• transport tickets;
• To obtain a visitor visa, you need an invitation indicating the purpose of the trip. Information about the place of future residence, contact phone number;
• For a business trip, documents confirming business connections will be required. Certificate from the employer indicating the position and salary.

Important ! To study in the country you must obtain a residence permit. Visas are not issued to students.

If short-term training is required:

• invitation from an educational institution;
• documents on the student’s financial support and availability of housing.

Symbolism

How to get a visa

There are several ways to obtain permits:

Those living in Kaliningrad and the region should apply for Estonian visas to the Lithuanian Consulate General, since there is no Estonian representation there. But this applies only to short-term visas, and to obtain multiple-entry long-term permits you will have to visit the Consulate General in the capital.

Consulate General of Lithuania. Kaliningrad, st. Proletarskaya, 133

If a visa is issued for the first time, the applicant must submit documents in person; if applying again, submission through a third party is allowed, but only with a power of attorney certified by a notary. The registration procedure consists of the following steps:

• preparation of documents according to the list;
• filling out an electronic form;
• payment of the fee;
• submission of documents and interview;
• waiting for the result (5-14 days);
• obtaining a ready permit.

The type and number of documents on the list varies depending on the visa category. The more complete the package of documents, the higher the chances of obtaining the desired entry permit.

Visa category

All visas are divided into 2 groups - single and multiple entry. With a one-time or single-entry visa, you can enter Estonia only once and stay in the country for no more than 90 days. Its validity period is six months. A multiple entry visa allows you to visit Estonia several times and can be issued for a period of 1 to 5 years. It also gives the right to enter other Schengen countries, but only from Estonian territory. In addition, you need to spend most of your trip in the Schengen area in Estonia, otherwise it will be more difficult to obtain a visa when applying again.

Visas have several categories and differ in terms of validity and cost. The choice of category depends on the purpose of visiting Estonia, the length of stay in the country and the number of planned trips:

Types of visas to Estonia

Estonian visas are divided into 3 types:

• Category A.
• Category C.
• Category D.

Category A

This visa will be required for those citizens who need to cross the Estonian border to enter a third country that is not part of the European Union.

The visa gives you the right to stay in the transit area of ​​the airport to wait for a transfer to the next flight. But for Russian citizens it is not required.

Category C

This visa gives the right to short-term entry into the country. Tourism, visiting relatives, transit, business - for all these needs a category C visa is issued.

Category D

A visa issued for a long period with the possibility of several entries into the territory of Estonia. Category D visa is issued to those Russian citizens who work as journalists and are accredited by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for work, for family members.

Sample visa to Estonia

Documents for registration

There is a basic list of documents that are submitted for a tourist visa. If the purpose of the trip is different, this list is supplemented with certain certificates.

1. . According to the requirements, the passport must remain valid for at least three months after the citizen returns from the trip. In addition, at least two pages of the document must be blank at the time of submission.
2. Originals and copies of previous passports
   with Schengen visas stamped.
3. Copies of the main pages of the internal passport
   .
4. Photo.
   Photo requirements are standard: size 45x35 mm, clean light background, high image clarity. The photograph cannot be older than six months; it is best to take the photograph just before submitting the documents.
5. Application form.
   Forms are filled out online and only in Latin; forms in Russian are not accepted. After filling them out, you need to print them out and sign them. Forms and samples for filling out are on the website of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
6. Questionnaire.
   It must be filled out by those citizens who are traveling by invitation or are going to visit Estonia for the first time.
7. Medical policy
   with a coverage amount of over 30 thousand euros. The validity period of the insurance should not be less than the duration of the trip; the best option is for the entire period of validity of the visa.

   Sample tourist insurance policy. Please note that you are also required to carry a copy of your insurance policy with you when traveling and when crossing Schengen borders

8. Guarantees of financial solvency.
   Bank statements for the last 3 months, employment certificates with the indicated salary will be suitable. The minimum amount for the duration of the trip is determined at the rate of 56 euros per person per day.
9. Confirmation of place of stay
   . When booking online, you can provide a printout of the letter from the hotel website or the corresponding service; a fax from the hotel or hostel is also suitable.
10. Copies of tickets or reservations.
    The dates of entry and exit from Estonia must be indicated. Those driving their own vehicles must have copies of the registration certificate, driver's license and a map of the intended route.

For a guest visa, this package should be accompanied by papers confirming the identity of the inviter, his legality of stay in the country and the exact address of residence, as well as the invitation itself, which should indicate the purpose of the trip, dates, and contacts of the inviting party.

For a business visa, an invitation from an organization from Estonia is added to the basic list of papers, with mandatory indication of the dates and place of residence, the purpose of the visit, contacts of the inviting party and confirmation of financial support for the entire period of the trip. In addition, the consulate may require documents to prove the business relationship between the parties, for example, copies of contracts or printouts of business correspondence.

Package of documents for Russians

The package of documents required for registration will directly depend on the required visa category.

If a Russian citizen needs a short-term visa category C, he will need the following documents:

1. To obtain a transit visa category C you will need a smaller package of documents

   A foreign passport, whose expiration date must be more than 3 months on the day of departure from Estonia, will require 2 blank pages to fill out.

2. Photocopy of the first page of the passport.
3. A color photograph that must meet general requirements.
4. A completed application form.
5. If visas were previously issued, then the original old passport.
6. Confirmation of the availability of a place of residence (hotel booking, inn, apartment) indicating the exact address and contact information; online booking is not accepted at all. If the trip does not imply the availability of paid accommodation, then you need to provide a detailed itinerary.
7. If the trip is business or private, then documentary evidence of the purpose of the trip will be required (letter from the host party, confirmation of a meeting, conference, invitation, letter of guarantee).
8. Travel documents in both directions (airplane, train tickets), if personal transport is used - a description of the route.
9. Confirmation of financial capabilities for the trip, every day is calculated as 56 euros, that is, for a trip of 10 days per person you will need to have at least 560 euros in your account, but the more the better.
10. Medical insurance, which must be valid throughout your stay in Estonia.
11. Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation.
12. If the citizen is a pensioner - a pension certificate.

To obtain a category C transit visa, a smaller package of documents will be required, since the citizen will not stay overnight and will not be outside the airport. However, the questionnaire is still required.

Documents when applying for a visa for a child

To apply for a visa for a child, you will need the following documents:

1. When applying for a visa for a child, documents confirming the financial solvency of the parents are required.

   The child’s international passport, if available (in some cases, a child under 14 years of age may be included in the passport of one of the parents).

2. Application completed by parent or guardian.
3. 2 photographs of a certified sample.
4. Russian passports of the child’s parents or guardians.
5. Russian passport of a minor, if he is over 14 years old.
6. Birth certificate of the child, if he is under 14 years old.
7. Documents confirming the financial solvency of the parents.

Additional documents required depending on the purpose of the trip

A trip to Estonia is carried out by invitation from relatives or friends:

1. An invitation from relatives or friends, which is filled out in free form, the main thing is to indicate the nature of the relationship, the purpose and duration of the trip, as well as methods of communication with Estonian citizens, and the address of residence.
2. A copy of a document permitting the inviting party to stay in Estonia.
3. Proof of the financial solvency of the visiting Russian citizen.

A trip to Estonia is carried out for tourism purposes:

1. When booking a hotel, apartment, house, etc., you must indicate the address and contact phone number with your future place of residence.
2. Round-trip tickets for plane, train, ship.
3. Proof of the financial solvency of the visiting Russian citizen.

A trip to Estonia is carried out for business purposes:

1. An invitation from an organization, which is drawn up on the company’s official paper. It is necessary to indicate: who pays the expenses, residential address, contact information.
2. Documentary evidence of the existence of a business relationship.
3. A letter of guarantee on the official letterhead of the organization, indicating the purpose of the trip and the details of the host party.

A trip to Estonia is carried out to resolve issues with personal real estate:

1. Proof of the financial solvency of the visiting Russian citizen.
2. Extract from the land register.

Visas for children

For each child under 18 years of age, you should collect a package of documents separately:

• international passport (if over 14 years old);
• photocopy of birth certificate;
• photo;
• questionnaire (the form is filled out by a parent or guardian);
• paid receipt (if over 6 years old).

If a child travels without parents or with only one of them, a travel permit (notarized) and personal information of the accompanying person must be included. Supporting certificates are also required if the second parent is deceased, deprived of parental rights, or is incompetent. Guardians confirm their rights of guardianship with appropriate documents.

Child visa

Slovakia: visa for Russians in 2018

If a family is traveling with children under 18 years of age, for registration you need to submit:

• children's birth certificates;
• visa of parents or accompanying persons;
• notarized power of attorney for the child for third parties;
• If a child is traveling with one parent, permission from the other will be required.

If children are included in the passport, a separate visa is issued for each child. A biometric passport does not reflect such data. A children's international passport is issued for children and a visa stamp is affixed.

Cost and terms

Registration at the consular department will cost you the least amount of money - you only have to pay the consular fee. When contacting the CC, the cost of services is added to this amount.

For citizens of other countries, applying for a regular short-term visa will cost 60 euros. There is a list of persons who are exempt from consular fees:

• disabled people (together with the citizens accompanying them);
• children under six years of age;
• close relatives of those living in EU countries;
• exchange students traveling to Estonia;
• participating in delegations and humanitarian missions.

You usually have to wait no more than a week for results, in some cases – 14-15 days. Urgent permits (if there are compelling reasons) are issued within 2-3 days.

Reasons for refusal

The risk of being refused a permit is quite high, and most consulate employees are very picky about documents. The most common reasons for failures are:

• failure to comply with visa requirements on previous trips;
• unstable financial situation;
• the visa category does not correspond to the purposes of the trip;
• inaccurate information in the application form or in documents;
• filling out forms with errors;
• incomplete list of papers;
• existing visa refusals;
• having a previous criminal record.

In case of refusal, the paid fees will not be returned to the applicant, therefore, in order not to waste money and time, you should carefully study all the requirements. When filling out, pay attention to the smallest details, because even a simple blot can interfere with your travel plans.

Video - Do you need a visa to Estonia?

Estonia is a popular travel destination among Russian residents, as this country not only provides a great place to relax, but also benefits from the services of European transport companies. To travel to Estonia, Russians need to apply for a Schengen visa, which can be done in the shortest possible time at the “Unified Visa Center”. This will not be particularly difficult and will take a little time.

It is worth noting that obtaining a permit to enter the country allows you to travel throughout the entire Schengen zone without any problems, while its cost is quite affordable, and the registration procedure is simple.

In general, the rules of the Estonian Migration Service do not differ from those of other European countries, but there are some peculiarities.

Firstly, in order to independently obtain a Schengen visa to Estonia, you need to fill out the application form on the website accordingly. This, on the one hand, simplifies the procedure, but you will have to appear at the country’s representative office in any case.

Secondly, to obtain a tourist or visitor visa to Estonia, you must prove the ability to pay an amount that differs from that for other European countries.

Thirdly, applications are usually processed much faster, which is certainly nice. The documents required for a Schengen visa to Estonia are standard, and its cost is practically no different from similar documents and also depends on the availability of an invitation, ticket reservations and hotel accommodations.

Where to do it?

In order to apply for an Estonian visa, you need to contact a consulate or visa center, but in this case the price will be higher. Since they do not work in all regions of Russia, the migration service also allows you to use the services of a special courier company, but this will also take a lot of time.

If the question arises of how to get an Estonian visa quickly, you should contact the “Unified Visa Center”, whose branches operate in many cities of Russia. Experienced specialists and the latest management systems allow us to resolve the issue of obtaining a pass in the shortest possible time.