Residence permit for a minor child for settling with a family member

What is a residence permit for settling with a family member?

A residence permit gives you the right to take up residence in Estonia at the invitation of a close family member who is an Estonian citizen or a foreigner residing in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit, in order to join the family member or to settle here jointly upon arriving together in Estonia. Upon the grant of a residence permit you shall be issued a residence card.

What is a residence card?

A residence card is a document proving your right of residence in Estonia, which also serves as your identity card. The residence card contains your personal details, residence permit details, photo and fingerprint images.

Who is a foreigner?

A foreigner is a person who is not a citizen of an EU member state, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

Who needs a residence permit?

A residence permit is required for settling with a family member in Estonia if:

• you are a foreigner
• you have not been granted an Estonian residence permit on another basis.

Who is a minor child?

You can apply for a residence permit for a minor child if the child is less than 18 years of age and they:

• are not married
• are not leading an independent life
• are not living in a separate family.

When to apply?

You can apply for a residence permit for your minor child if the child is a foreigner and you are an Estonian citizen or a foreigner residing in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit and you wish for the child to settle with you in Estonia.

When does a child receive a residence permit automatically?

A child receives a residence permit automatically upon birth if:

• their parent is a foreigner residing in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit
• the child is born in Estonia or settles in Estonia within one year after birth
• the birth of the child in Estonia or the data of the child’s birth are registered in the Estonian Population Register.

For more information about the registration of the birth of a child or the data of their birth, contact the vital statistics office of the local government of your place of residence.

If the child receives a residence permit automatically, the requirement for applying for a residence card for them arises when they reach 15 years of age. If you wish to travel with the child across the state border, you should apply for a residence card for them sooner.

What conditions must a parent meet?

In order to apply for a residence permit for your minor child, you must meet the following conditions:

• You must be an Estonian citizen or a foreigner residing in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit.
• Your place of residence must be registered in the Estonian Population Register and you must have an actual dwelling in Estonia – this is not required if you arrive in Estonia with a family member with whom you will be settling.

For how long is a residence permit for settling with a family member granted?

A residence permit for settling with a family member is granted for up to five years, but not longer than for the period of validity of the sponsor’s residence permit.

For how long may a residence permit for settling with a family member be extended?

A residence permit for settling with a family member may be extended for up to ten years at a time, but not longer than for the period of validity of the sponsor’s residence permit.

What kind of restrictions should I take into account?

The period of validity of your residence permit shall depend on that of the residence permit of the person who invited you to Estonia (the sponsor), if they are not an Estonian citizen.

How can my family member who is a foreigner pay me a short-term visit in Estonia?

If a family member who is a foreigner wishes to pay you a short-term visit here, they must have a legal basis for the visit. A legal basis for visiting Estonia may be a visa or, for some countries, a visa-free agreement.