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Jobbatical helps non-EU nationals secure Estonia D-visa (Long Stay Visa) with expert support on requirements, documentation, and application procedures for work, study, business, digital nomad, and family purposes enabling extended stays in Estonia's innovative digital society.
What Is the Estonia D-Visa (Long Stay Visa)?
The Estonia D-visa is a long-stay visa enabling non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens to remain in Estonia for up to 365 days within 12 consecutive months for specific purposes such as work, study, business, research, or family reunification. The visa may be issued for single or multiple entries and allows stays in other Schengen Member States up to 90 days within 180 days.
In case of consecutive long-stay visas, the total stay period cannot exceed 548 days within 730 consecutive days. This visa serves as a bridge for those planning eventual residence permit applications or requiring extended stays without full immigration status.
Benefits of Estonia D-Visa (Long Stay Visa)
For Employee
For Employer
General Eligibility for Estonia D-Visa
To qualify for an Estonia D-Visa, candidates must meet the following:
- Nationality: Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens requiring a visa.
- Valid Purpose: Legitimate reason for stay (e.g., employment, study, business).
- Financial Means: Sufficient funds based on visa purpose.
- Clean Background: No criminal record or security concerns.
- Health Insurance: Valid medical insurance covering the stay in Estonia.
- Accommodation: Confirmed housing arrangements.
Purpose-Specific Eligibility for Talent Acquisition
Employment-Based D-Visa
For candidates you’re recruiting for roles in Estonia:
Digital Nomad D-Visa
For remote workers or tech professionals:
Business/Startup D-Visa
For entrepreneurial candidates:
Essential Documentation Checklist
To streamline the application process, ensure candidates provide:
- Valid travel document (issued within the last 10 years, with 2 blank pages and validity 3+ months beyond visa expiration).
- Completed online application form (fully signed).
- One color photo (35x45mm, ICAO-compliant, less than 6 months old).
- Travel medical insurance covering the visa period.
- Proof of financial means (varies by purpose).
- Purpose-specific documents (e.g., employment contract, business plan).
- Biometric data (10 fingerprints) collected at the application appointment.
- Legalized or apostilled foreign documents, translated into Estonian or English.
Application Process: How to Support Candidates
Common Challenges and Solutions
Financial Documentation Complexity: Meeting purpose-specific financial requirements with proper proof. Solution: Professional guidance on financial documentation and bank statement preparation.
Document Legalization: Understanding apostille and translation requirements for international documents. Solution: Comprehensive legalization services and coordination with certified translation providers.
Purpose Category Selection: Choosing optimal visa category for specific circumstances. Solution: Expert assessment of individual situations and purpose alignment.
Application Timing: Coordinating application submission with travel plans and processing times. Solution: Strategic timeline planning and early application submission.
How Jobbatical Streamlines Your Estonia D-Visa (Long Stay Visa) Application
- Purpose Assessment: Comprehensive evaluation of optimal visa category for your circumstances
- Document Preparation: Professional assistance with all required documentation and translations
- Financial Planning: Guidance on meeting purpose-specific financial requirements with proper documentation
- Application Support: Complete online form preparation and appointment scheduling assistance
- Legalization Services: Professional document apostille and translation coordination
- Processing Coordination: Liaison with embassies and tracking of application progress
- Integration Planning: Preparation for Estonian arrival and digital society integration
Why Choose Jobbatical for Your Estonia D-Visa (Long Stay Visa)?
- Estonia Expertise: Deep understanding of Estonian visa regulations and digital society
- Global Network: Experience with Estonian representations and application procedures worldwide
- Success Rate: High approval rate through thorough preparation and accurate documentation
- Purpose Specialization: Expertise across all D-visa categories from digital nomads to students
- Technology Integration: Understanding of Estonia's unique digital requirements and opportunities
- Comprehensive Service: End-to-end support from application to Estonian integration
Ready to apply for your Estonia D-visa ? Start today with Jobbatical's expert guidance.
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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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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