In short: To study in Estonia as an international student you apply for: Temporary residence permit for study. From abroad at an Estonian foreign mission; in Estonia at a PPA service office by online appointment. Temporary residence permit state fee: 225 EUR in Estonia, 255 EUR at a foreign representation. Decision within 90 days; residence permit card issued within 30 days after. Every line on this page was read on an official page, which is linked beside it; the facts were last checked on 6 October 2026.
| Visa or permit | Temporary residence permit for study |
|---|---|
| Application fee | EUR 255 (politsei.ee) |
| Money to show | EUR 880 per month (politsei.ee) |
| Processing time | Decision within 90 days; residence permit card issued within 30 days after. (politsei.ee) |
| Where you apply | From abroad at an Estonian foreign mission; in Estonia at a PPA service office by online appointment. (politsei.ee) |
| Last checked |
Authority: Police and Border Guard Board (PPA). Official portal: Estonian Police and Border Guard.
The school confirms your admission and submits an invitation by an educational institution to the PPA.
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
PPA pages list no tuition payment proof; the school invitation confirms admission.
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
Sufficient legal income of 880 EUR per month per applicant in 2026 (four times the subsistence level), confirmed by signing.
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
Temporary residence permit state fee: 225 EUR in Estonia, 255 EUR at a foreign representation.
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
| Charge | Amount | What the official page says | Source, checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa fee (government) | EUR 255 | Temporary residence permit state fee: 225 EUR in Estonia, 255 EUR at a foreign representation. | politsei.ee, 15 September 2026 |
From abroad at an Estonian foreign mission; in Estonia at a PPA service office by online appointment.
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
From abroad you hand in the temporary residence permit application in person at an Estonian foreign mission, where fingerprints are taken. Your educational institution must submit an invitation for you.
Estonian foreign mission (in person), Police and Border Guard Board: politsei.ee · form: Application for temporary residence permit
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
You pay the state fee before applying and bring proof of payment, such as a payment order, with the application. The fee is higher when you apply at a foreign representation.
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
The official page names no online tracker for this application. The Police and Border Guard Board contacts you only if something is missing or more information is needed.
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
Processing takes up to 90 days from acceptance of the application or from fixing the last missing item. Applying through a mission adds document delivery time.
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
If the decision is positive, the residence permit card is issued within 30 days of the decision. If you applied at a foreign mission, extra delivery time is added for the documents.
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
You are contacted if the application has shortcomings or the officer needs more information, and processing starts once all gaps are fixed. You send the missing items as instructed.
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
Steps as read on the official pages; checked on 15 September 2026.
Decision within 90 days; residence permit card issued within 30 days after.
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
Apply in person to give fingerprints, unless given within the last 6 years or permanently impossible.
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
A health insurance contract is required, confirmed by signing the application; a D visa needs travel medical insurance for the whole stay.
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
Criminal record certificate required from age 14 from each country lived in 3+ consecutive months in the last 3 years; issued within 6 months.
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
Foreign-language documents must be translated into Estonian or English; translations made in Estonia need a sworn translator.
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
Documents issued in a foreign state must be legalised or carry an apostille.
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
You may work alongside studies if it does not interfere and you keep studying full time.
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
Family members apply for a separate residence permit for a family member.
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
Register your place of residence with the local government within one month and keep it registered.
Source: politsei.ee · checked on
We did not find these on the official pages we read for Estonia: a medical examination. That means "not stated on the pages we read", not "not required": ask the authority above, or check the official portal, before you apply.
The official pages say more for applicants in: Pakistan.
Which office handles applications from some other countries, as the official pages state:
ForiForeign prepares your student visa application with you and guides you through each step: the documents, the forms and the order to do them in. You file the application yourself with the authority named above, and that authority decides. ForiForeign is not a visa office or an agent of Estonia, and no one can promise a visa. Rules, fees and dates change: confirm each one on the official page linked beside it before you pay or travel.
The same facts for software and AI assistants: /facts/visa/ee.json.
ForiForeign.com · admin@foriforeign.com · WhatsApp +92 310 5048760 · Information drawn from official sources shown on each rule; not legal advice.
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