Ever since the pandemic hit the world, remote work has become the new normal. All you need is a laptop and an uninterrupted internet connection. Many organizations have switched to a work-from-home culture, and freelancing opportunities have grown to a large extent. As long as you have internet access, you can work from the comfort of your bedroom, from a cafeteria, from a nearby park, or from the airport. Due to this shifting work culture, the digital nomad visa has become popular among freelancers and remote workers. Many countries, including Estonia, have started issuing new work visas with the intent to attract international workers.
How do digital nomad visas work?
A digital nomad visa allows you to work remotely for any country outside of the country you select to live and work in. In order to work in another country, it’s important that you apply for a work permit and register yourself as a taxpayer with the government’s tax agency. Digital nomad visas allow individuals to become temporary residents of a foreign country while they pay taxes in their home country. Typically, digital nomads aren’t required to pay taxes in the host country (the country where they work from).
Does Estonia have a digital nomad visa?
Yes, Estonia has a digital nomad visa program launched in August 2020. Remote workers with digital nomad visas can stay in the country for a period of 12 months. The applicants need to prove that they earn a minimum monthly income of €3,504. Plus, they need to pay the state fee of €100 (long stay) and €80 (short stay) for Type D and Type C visas. The Type C visa allows you to stay in Estonia for up to 90 days. On the other side, the Type D digital nomad visa allows you to stay in Estonia for a period of one year.
What is the difference between e-Residency and digital nomad visa?
e-Residency of Estonia, also called virtual residency, is a program that allows non-Estonian or non-EU citizens access to Estonian services from any part of the world without visiting the country. Those who are looking to establish an online business in Estonia can apply for e-Residency and access services such as business formation, payment processing, tax filing, banking, and more. On the other hand, the digital nomad visa allows individuals to stay in Estonia for a period of one year. Freelancers and remote workers working with a company outside of Estonia can apply for this visa if they meet certain requirements.
Who is eligible to apply for an Estonian digital nomad visa?
To be eligible to apply for an Estonian digital nomad visa, the applicant must be:
- Older than 18 years at the time of application,
- Able to work in a flexible environment so that you can work remotely,
- Financially stable and earn a minimum monthly income of €3,504,
- A freelancer or a professional consultant to clients abroad and have a contract with them,
- Having employment contracts from companies registered outside of Estonia.
How do I get an Estonian digital nomad visa?
To apply for an Estonian digital nomad visa, you must have the following documents readily available to you.
Valid Passport: The most important document that you need to apply for any kind of visa is your passport. Make sure your passport is valid for at least three months and has two blank pages.
Application Form: You need to apply for an Estonian digital nomad visa online by visiting Estonia’s immigration portal. Fill out the digital nomad visa application form and make sure you tick all requirements of the eligibility criteria.
Passport-Size Photos: You need two passport-size photographs to apply for an Estonian digital nomad visa. The photos must meet the Schengen visa photo criteria. Visit the immigration portal to learn more.
Letter from Employer: You must have a letter from the employer mentioning that you want to work in a remote environment. Apart from that, you must also have a contract letter from an employer operating outside of Estonia.
Proof of Accommodation: To be eligible to get a digital nomad visa in Estonia, you must have proof of accommodation. A copy of the rental agreement or a reservation in an apartment may be sufficient.
Proof of Health Insurance: When applying for an Estonian digital nomad visa, check if you have valid health insurance. The health insurance must be valid for the entire amount of time spent in Estonia and have coverage of €30,000.
Proof of Sufficient Financial Means: You must have a sufficient amount of funds to support your stay in Estonia. The bank statement that you attach with your digital nomad visa application form must have been issued within the last six months.
Once all the documents are ready and you are all set to apply for an Estonian digital nomad visa, there are three different ways you can do that.
- Apply at the Estonian Embassy: Contact your nearest Estonian embassy to schedule an appointment. Submit all the required documents.
- Apply at a VFS Office: Submit your digital nomad visa application at a VFS office. VFS has the right to handle digital nomad visa applications for the Estonian government.
- Apply at the Police and Border Guard Office in Estonia: If you need a Schengen visa, one option is to enter Estonia visa-free and then submit your application and supporting documents directly to the Police and Border Guard in Estonia.
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