Residence permit for studying for educational institutions

Conditions

For whom?

For educational institutions, who wish to accept a student who:

  • is not a citizen of an EU member state, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
  • will be studying in Estonia for more than one year
  • needs a residence permit for study in Estonia.

In what type of schools may an foreigner study?

In Estonia, foreigner may study in:

  • a primary school
  • a gymnasium
  • a vocational educational institution
  • an institution of applied higher education
  • a university
  • an educational institution founded on the basis of a treaty.

What are the basic requirements for accepting a foreign student?

As a representative of a university or institution of applied higher education, please ensure that:

  • the language proficiency of the foreign student corresponds to the requirements for the level of the language of instruction (except if the foreign student will be commencing in-depth studies in Estonian)
  • the foreign student has the appropriate qualification for the level of study
  • the foreign student will be studying full time.

For what types of school foundation courses may foreigner apply for a residence permit for study?

A residence permit for study may be requested for participating in foundation courses offered by a vocational educational institution, institution of applied higher education or university.

For what types of schools’ traineeships may an foreigner apply for a residence permit for study?

A residence permit for study may be requested for participating in traineeships at a basic school, gymnasium, vocational educational institution, institution of applied higher education or university.

What are the requirements for organising traineeships for a vocational or university student?

For the student to be able to apply for a residence permit for participating in a traineeship at a vocational educational institution, institution of applied higher education or university, the traineeship:

  • must be related to the education to be acquired by the foreigner
  • must not be compensated for
  • must be related to a contract of traineeship concluded between the foreigner and the educational institution.

What conditions apply to the foreigner when applying for a residence permit for study for participating in voluntary service?

Voluntary service shall be organised within the framework of a youth project or program recognised by the Ministry of Education and Research. Foreigner who has entered into voluntary service:

  • shall not be remunerated for the voluntary service
  • shall have their subsistence costs borne by the youth association with whom they are performing the voluntary service
  • shall have their medical costs covered by the youth association, who shall enter into an appropriate insurance contract
  • shall be bound to the youth association through a contract, which shall specify the foreigner’s duties, working time, means for covering subsistence, travelling and accommodation costs, and the tutoring conditions.