At the moment, residence permit data of the Republic of Estonia are entered to identity document being issued to an alien and as a sticker to his/her travel document, but starting from the New Year this procedure will change. Starting from 1 January 2011, residence card will be issued to the aliens residing in Estonia, who are not citizens of the European Union, instead of identity card.

What is a residence card and to whom it will be issued?
Residence card is a new identity document that will be issued to aliens applying for the Estonian residence permit, work permit or right of residence or who are not citizens of the European Union. Residence card contains its holder’s personal data, data related to residence and work permits, photo and fingerprint images. 

What state fee should be paid for a residence card?
As fingerprint biometry increases production costs of the cards, also rates of the state fee will increase. The exact rates of the state fees will become clear after passing of the amendments of the State Fee Act in Riigikogu (Parliament).

Why will the aliens not receive identity cards (ID-cards) after the New Year?
Pursuant to the EU Council Regulation (EC) No 380/2008 of 18 April 2008, issue of residence cards is obligatory to all Member States starting from 20 May 2011. It is dealt with a national document that is similar to identity document by its form and functionality.

What is the difference between the identity document (ID-card) and residence card?
Functionality of identity documents and residence cards is the same by using electronic services. It is possible to identify the person and to sign digitally also by means of a residence card. The main difference is, that by means of an identity card being issued to the Estonian and EU citizens, it is possible to travel within the European Union, by means of the residence card it is not possible to travel outside Estonia. Another difference is that the residence card contains noncontact chip where holder’s fingerprint data and facial image are stored. The identity card has no noncontact chip.

What will be different by applying for residence and work permits?
By applying for residence and work permits and right of residence, from aliens residing in Estonia and who are not citizens of the EU, fingerprints will be captured and their images will be entered to noncontact chip of the residence card. In order to capture fingerprints, an applicant has to apply in person to the Service Office of a Prefecture of the Police and Border Guard Board or to foreign representation of the Republic of Estonia.

What has to be taken into account by capturing fingerprints?
a.    By applying for biometrical document (travel document or residence card) and residence permit or by applying for right of residence, fingerprints are captured from applicants as of 6 years of age. In order to capture fingerprints, an applicant has to apply in person to the Service Office of a Prefecture of the Police and Border Guard Board or to foreign representation of the Republic of Estonia. Fingerprints are not taken, if a person is less than 6 years of age, less than 2 years have passed from capturing fingerprints by applying for a travel document, residence permit/right of residence or residence card, or if permanent incapability of a person to give fingerprints has been established in advance. Incapability of giving fingerprints has to be proved, if necessary.

b.    By applying for biometric document, fingerprints are captured from two fingers, as rule from forefingers of both hands. If it is not possible to capture fingerprints of a forefinger (for example, forefinger is missing or bandaged, quality of an image does not meet the requirements), then trait is taken from another finger (except from a little finger as quality of an image taken from a little finger does not meet requirements). If it is not possible to take a fingerprint from one hand, then these are taken from two separate fingers of another hand.

c.    Customer service official will guide the applicant through the process of taking fingerprints – when to lay a finger to a scanner, whether a finger is located correctly, etc.

Where are the fingerprints taken by applying for residence card stored? Is there a separate database to this end?
Files of fingerprints images are stored to noncontact chip of a residence card, to national register of residence and work permits and to database of identity documents like other data being entered to documents: photo, signature, etc. There is no separate database for fingerprints.

How will the fingerprints be used later? Whether my fingerprints will be compared to those of criminals?
Access to personal data and processing of fingerprint images, public disclosure and delivery to the third persons is allowed only in cases and conditions provided by law. Fingerprint images entered to identity documents may be used in case of need for controlling the document holder’s identity and for detecting counterfeiting of documents only.

For how long period a residence card will be valid?
residence card will be valid for up to 5 years, but no longer than residence permit or right of residence granted to a person.

Is it possible to travel by a residence card?
It is not possible to travel outside Estonia by means of a residence card. In order to travel, a person will need also a travel document. 

Whether my present identity card will be declared void starting from the New Year?
No, issue of a residence card will not affect validity of documents issued earlier – all identity cards issued to aliens and residence permit stickers entered to travel documents earlier will be valid until their date of expiry.