Estonia Schengen Entry Requirements And Application Process

Before starting with your Estonia Tourist Visa application, find out what you will need to complete your application. Then, I am going to tell you about the required documents and who must apply for the Estonia Schengen Visa.

Later I will explain the exact steps to follow during your application process.

What Is The Estonia Schengen Visa?

Who Needs An Estonia Schengen Visa?

Who Needs An Estonia Schengen Visa?

Where Can I Apply For My Estonia Schengen Visa?

How Much Does An Estonia Schengen Visa Cost?

What Are The Financial Requirements To Visit Estonia?

Complete The Estonia Schengen Visa Application Form Online

What Is The Estonia Schengen Visa?

Before traveling to Estonia, you must apply for a Schengen Visa as it is part of the Schengen area. This is an entry requirement for all Schengen countries. The Schengen area consists of European countries that have eliminated border controls between themselves.

There are different types of Schengen visas you can apply for, but in my case, I was applying for a short stay visa which only allowed entry for up to 90 days. This type of visa is also known as a tourist visa.

When it comes to the Schengen Visa in general, there are a few rules to follow. One of the rules applicable to the tourist visa is the 90/180 day Schengen rule. A brief explanation about the 90/180-day rule is that you are allowed to stay in a Schengen area for only up to 90 days within 180 days.

There are also other countries you can visit with your Estonia Schengen country. These countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Who Needs An Estonia Schengen Visa?

During my Schengen Visa application process, I’ve learned that not all nationals have to apply for an Estonia Tourist/Schengen Visa. Therefore, before starting with your Schengen Visa application, determine if you need to apply for a Schengen Visa.

U.S. Citizens:

If you are a U.S. citizen, you do not need to apply for a Schengen Visa. As a result, U.S. citizens enjoy visa-free traveling to the countries in the Schengen area. This will allow you to enter any Schengen country without a Schengen Visa.

U.S. Green Card Holders:

There are some cases where U.S. Green Card holders must apply for a Schengen Visa. This will depend on your nationality. For example, if your origin country requires you to apply for a Schengen Visa, you must apply for a Schengen Visa to enter Estonia. On the other hand, if you enjoy visa-free traveling, you do not have to apply for a Schengen Visa when visiting Estonia.

Third Countries (non-EU Countries)

Not all countries are applicable to enjoy visa-free traveling. These countries, such as Ukraine, Russia, and Mexico, do not enjoy visa-free traveling. If you are unsure, please look at the countries that require a Schengen Visa.

Nationals from the European Union (E.U.), European Economic Area (EEA) and the Schengen area do not have to apply for a visa when visiting Estonia.

Important note: At the end of 2023 in November, citizens that enjoy visa-free travel must apply for an ETIAS.

How Long Does The Estonia Schengen Visa Take To Process?

The standard processing time for your Estonia Schengen Visa is about 15 days. However, there are some cases where it can take up to 60 days to be processed. If your visa takes longer than 15 days, it can be for the following reasons:

Missing documents

An unclear or incomplete application form

A unforeseen pandemic

High demands of Estonian Schengen Visas

Where Can I Apply For My Estonia Schengen Visa?

Personal applications should be submitted to the Estonian Consulate or the consulate of a country that represents Estonia’s consular affairs.

If you stay in a country without an Estonian Consulate, applications may then be submitted through a Schengen state country that represents the interests of an Estonian consulate. Here, you will find the Schengen member states representing the Estonian consulate’s interests.

What Are The Financial Requirements To Visit Estonia?

The financial requirements in Estonia are at least €130.8 (EURO) per day. Therefore, you must provide means of subsistence for the number of days you will be traveling in Estonia. This proof will be in the form of bank statements or your payslips.

How Much Does An Estonia Schengen Visa Cost?

For adults: 80 EUR (EURO)

For Children between the ages of 6 – 12: 40 EUR (EURO)

For Children under the age of 6: Free

Complete The Estonia Schengen Visa Application Form Online

Since we are in the digital age, filling in applications with pen and paper is no longer needed. Although it is still an option, you can complete your Schengen Visa application online.

The information that you will need to provide is relatively straightforward. This will include personal details, travel document information, trip information (period of stay), and so on. If you are unsure about anything, check the blue question mark next to the appropriate field.

After you have completed your online visa application form, your visa application number will be provided, and the application form will be sent to you via email. Ensure that you print and sign the application form before submitting it to the embassy.

What Are The Required Documents For The Estonia Schengen Visa?

For a successful Estonia Visa application, you must ensure that the following documents are in order before starting with your Schengen Visa application:

Completed Application form (Printed and signed).

Valid Passport or travel document (With at least 2 open pages).

Passport sized photos.

Biometric data (Fingerprints).

Estonia Visa fee.

Flight itinerary or return flight ticket.

Proof of financial means to support yourself (Bank statements, payslips, etc.).

Proof of accommodation.

Cover Letter.

Proof of Medical insurance (Travel insurance), which provides a minimum of €30,000 in medical coverage.

Invitation letter from a company or family members with a residence permit (if applicable).

Quick note: If you want a more in-depth description of the additional documents that have to be submitted during your Schengen Visa application, you can read Atlys’s dedicated Schengen Visa requirement guide.

How Do I Apply For The Estonia Schengen Visa?

Now, let’s get to the application process you will follow when applying for the Estonia Schengen Visa. Here I will show you in 8 steps how the application process will look:

Step 1: Prepare all the required documents

Step 2: Fill out the application form

Step 3: Schedule a visa appointment, if applicable

Step 4:Attend Your Appointment

Step 5: Submit your Estonia Schengen visa application

Step 6: Pay the visa application fee

Step 7: Wait For Your Application To Be Processed

Step 8: Collect Your Estonia Schengen Visa

Step 1: Prepare all the required documents

Before starting your application process, ensure that you have all the required documents, as mentioned previously. This is crucial for the approval of your Schengen Visa application.

Always remember to make copies of all your documents. You will thank yourself later if you possibly misplace them.

Step 2: Fill out the application form

The application process for an Estonian Schengen visa may differ depending on where you apply. Applicants may be required to apply online via the country’s online visa system. First, create an account, then fill out and print the application form.

Paper copies must be delivered to the Estonian Consulate or a visa processing center. Contact the consulate or visa processing center directly to determine the best way to access the application.

Step 3: Schedule a visa appointment, if applicable

Most applications require an in-person appointment at the nearest Estonian Embassy, Consulate, or visa application center. Alternatively, applications may be submitted during regular business hours without an appointment. To find out if an appointment is required, contact the Estonian Consulate or a visa application center.

Step 4: Attend Your Appointment

As step 3 suggests, you will have to attend your in-person appointment. This is a short interview with an Embassy/Consulate staff member where you will be asked a few questions.

The questions will be you will be asked based on your travel information within the Schengen Area. This is nothing to worry about, as I am sure you will pass your Schengen Visa interview with flying colors.

Step 5: Submit your Estonia Schengen visa application

It is essential to note that your application must be submitted at least 15 days and no earlier than 6 months before your departure date.In most cases, applications must be submitted in person at the Estonian Consulate or a visa processing center. This will usually be submitted during your Schengen Visa appointment.

You will be required to submit fingerprints (biometric data). However, if you have submitted your fingerprints previously for a Schengen Visa application in the past 59 months, you will not be required to submit your biometrics again.

Children under the age of 12 are exempt from biometric data collection, but capturing a facial photo is required regardless of the applicant’s age.

Step 6: Pay the visa application fee

The Schengen Visa application fee must be paid to the Estonia Ministry of Finance bank account. You can use the following accounts for your payment:

SEB Pank

EE891010220034796011

SWIFT: EEUHEE2X

Swedbank

EE932200221023778606

SWIFT: HABAEE2X

Luminor Bank AS

EE701700017001577198SWIFT: RIKOEE22

LHV Pank

EE777700771003813400

SWIFT: LHVBEE22

Important note: You must use the following reference number for your Schengen Visa application payment: 2900073630

Step 7: Wait For Your Application To Be Processed

Now you can sit back and relax. The hard part is done, and now you must wait for your application to be processed. This will generally take about 15 days. However, as mentioned earlier, you can wait for up to 60 days in some cases.

You will then be notified by either SMS or email when your application has been processed.

Step 8: Collect Your Estonia Schengen Visa

After being notified that your visa has been approved, you can now start celebrating.

To collect your approved visa, you can head over to the Consulate/Embassy or Visa Centre, where you have submitted your applications.

Estonia Awaits You

And you are done!

I hope you are ready for some spectacular moments in Estonia. The last thing for you to do is to sit back and enjoy.