Employees must apply for a residence permit before the D-Visa expires to maintain legal status. Overstaying without permit renewal or residence status is penalized. HR should remind employees to comply well before expiry

Family members can obtain a D-Visa for accompanying employees but must provide additional proof of relationship and financial means. Their visa allows stays aligned with the employee’s visa duration.

New procedures limit visa application days at certain embassies and emphasize early bookings. Financial proof and document legalization requirements have been detailed more strictly. Estonia maintains fast-track options for tech and highly skilled workers, which HR can leverage.

HR is responsible for issuing correct invitation or work contracts, guiding employees on document preparation, coordinating with Estonian authorities, and ensuring timely submission to avoid delays in employee onboarding.

The D-Visa allows entry and long stay in Estonia but does not replace a residence permit. Employees staying beyond the D-Visa period or planning extended employment must apply for a temporary residence permit while in Estonia.

Yes, Estonia D-Visas can be issued for single or multiple entries, allowing re-entry into Estonia or short travel to other Schengen countries during the visa validity period.

Financial requirements vary by visa type: for work visas, proof of legal income aligned with Estonian salary thresholds; for digital nomads, minimum funds of around €4,500 per month; and other purposes have specified minimum amounts (e.g., €800 for studies). HR should verify correct amounts to avoid delays.

The Estonia D-Visa is a national long-stay visa allowing non-EU/EEA citizens to stay in Estonia for up to 365 days within a 12-month period. It supports work, study, business, research, family reunification, and digital nomad purposes. The visa also allows limited travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days per 180 days.

Processing typically takes 2 weeks to 30 days, depending on embassy workload and document completeness. Early application submission by HR is recommended to ensure timely approval aligned with employee start dates.

Key documents include: valid travel document (passport), completed visa application form, recent passport photo, proof of purpose (employment contract/invitation), proof of sufficient financial means, valid travel medical insurance, biometric data submitted, and payment of visa fee (approx. €100).

The employee must submit a visa application through an Estonian embassy or consulate with documents including a valid passport, signed application form, a work contract or invitation letter, proof of financial means, travel health insurance, and biometric data like fingerprints. HR typically assists in preparing these documents.

Non-EU/EEA employees hired by Estonian companies who plan to stay longer than 90 days require a D-Visa before entering Estonia for work purposes. It acts as a bridge before obtaining a temporary residence permit.