Applying for a residence permit

When does the processing of the application begin?

The processing of the application begins when the application is accepted for processing by the Police and Border Guard Board.

• If you submit your application through an Estonian foreign mission, the processing begins when the application reaches the service office of the Police and Border Guard Board.
• If there are deficiencies in your application, the processing begins once all deficiencies have been corrected.

Submit your residence permit application well in advance.

How is the residence permit application processed?

The Police and Border Guard Board verifies whether the documents required for the application have been properly submitted and whether the conditions for obtaining a residence permit have been met. You will be contacted if there are shortcomings in the application or if the proceedings officer needs further information. You will not be contacted if everything is in order.

How long does it take to obtain a residence permit?

The processing of an application takes up to 90 days from the date on which the application is accepted or the last deficiencies have been remedied. If the decision is positive, you will receive your residence permit card within 30 days of the decision. If you apply through an Estonian foreign mission, the delivery time for documents is added to the processing of the application.

What happens if your application for a residence permit is refused?

You will also be contacted if there are grounds for refusal to issue a residence permit. The proceedings officer will ask for your opinion and objections in this regard. Your position will be considered when deciding whether to issue the residence permit.

How can you contest the decision?

If you disagree with the decision, you can file a challenge. A challenge to a decision on issuing, refusing to issue, extending, refusing to extend, revoking a residence permit, or refusing to review an application must be filed within 10 days. The written challenge can be filed in person at the challenge reviewer’s location (for example, at a PBGB service office), by post, electronically (with a digital signature), or through an authorised representative. The challenge together with supporting documents can be submitted digitally signed by email to ...or by post to Pärnu mnt 139, 15060 Tallinn.

Submitting a challenge does not provide a legal basis for staying in Estonia. In the absence of a legal basis for stay, you must leave the country.

A migration consultant is available to help you every step of the way. Seek advice from a migration consultant.