Residence permit for start-up business

How to apply for a residence permit?

1. Obtain a previous evaluation that the company qualifies as a start-up.
2. Submit the required documents and pay the state fee.
3. You shall receive an answer within 2 months and your residence card shall be issued within 30 days after approval.

Migration advisers will assist you every step of the way. Ask a migration adviser.

Where can I apply for a residence permit?

You can apply for a residence permit for employment:

• at a foreign mission of Estonia
• at the service offices of the Police and Border Guard Board

How to apply at a foreign mission?

If you are residing abroad, apply for a visa to come to Estonia and start the residence permit application when arriving to Estonia. You can find a list of Estonian foreign missions here. For more information about the procedure for submitting the application, contact the respective foreign mission.

How to apply for a residence permit at the Police and Border Guard Board?

If you are residing in Estonia, you can submit the application for the residence permit at the service offices of the Police and Border Guard Board. To do so, make a reservation online.

Does the residence permit application need to be submitted in person?

The application must be submitted in person in order to have your fingerprints taken. Fingerprints shall not be taken if:

• your fingerprints have already been taken less than 6 years ago, e.g., if you have applied for a residence permit before;
• you have been proven permanently incapable to provide fingerprints.

What documents are needed to apply for a residence permit for enterprise in Estonia?

In order to apply for a residence permit for enterprise in Estonia, you must submit:

• temporary residence permit application form
• the details of your close relatives and family members
• biographical data
• additional form
• an identity document
• digital photo
• a document certifying payment of the state fee, e.g., a payment order
• the application number of the expert committee

The processor of the application may ask you to submit additional information or documents, if necessary.

What is meant by a description a business plan?

A description of a business plan must be in Estonian or English and must include:

• the details of the sole proprietor
• a description of the business idea
• financial forecasts for the following 2 financial years
• the CV of the sole proprietor
• a justification of the enterprise-related settlement in Estonia