January 2017 Estonia launched its' Startup Visa program. Here is a short guide about what it is and how to apply

1. Startup visas program
Overview and instructions for applying

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“Startup Visa” programme
FOR ESTONIAN STARTUP
To employ talent from 3rd countries
FOR FOREIGN FOUNDER
To launch & run a startup in Estonia

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For foreing Founder

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I Foreign Founder:
Visa for startup entrepreneurship
§ Long-term visa (national D-visa) for up to a 1-year-stay; can be extended for up to 6 months;
§ … or short-term Shengen C-visa for 3 months, by default not extendable;
§ Issued to launch or develop a startup in Estonia
§ Required to have minimum of 130 EUR per every month stayed in Estonia.
§ Can bring the spouse and children along
For other companies than startups:
-For C-visa requirement of 94 EUR per each day
spent in Estonia (does notapply for startups)
-no entrepreneurship visa option, only possible to
apply for a temporary residence permit

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II Foreign Founder:
Temporary residence permit (TRP) for entrepreneurship
§ For up to a 5-year-stay; can be extended for up to 5 years (starting from October
‘17 extendable by 10 years)
§ Business entity must be registered in Estonian business registry before applying
§ Required to have a minimum of 130 EUR per every month stayed in Estonia
§ Can bring the spouse and children along
§ Exemption from immigration quota
For other companies than startups:
• At least 65 000 EUR invested into Estonian
business entity, 16 000 EUR in case of a sole
proprietor
• Immigration quota applies

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For Whom?
§ Visa for startup entrepreneurship for founders who participate in a qualified Estonian
business acceleration program:
• Startup Wise Guys accelerator program
• BuildIT Hardware accelerator program
§ Visa or TRP for startup entrepreneurship for founders who´s startup gets a positive
evaluation from the STARTUP COMMITTEE

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(1) How to apply!
§ Before applying for a visa or TRP, a positive evaluation from the STARTUPCOMMITTEE is
needed
• Fill out an electronical application in startup.includer.io
• Startup community organizations evaluate wheather the company qualifies as a startup as
defined in the Aliens Act
• within 10 working days, the STARTUPCOMMITTEE issues an evaluation
Evaluation from STARTUPCOMMITTEEis not needed if applying for a visa to participate
in a qualified acceleration program

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(2) How to apply- VISA! After positive evaluation from the Startup Committee
§ To apply for a visa for startup entrepreneurship:
• Fill out the application form for visa, print it and sign it (make sure to tick “Startup
entrepreneurship” as Purpose of Stay)
• Take the application personally to one of Estonian Foreign Representations dealing with
long-term visas or at a Service Pointfor the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, if
you are already legally staying in Estonia

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(3) How to apply- VISA?
Documents to be submitted along with yourvisa application:
•a valid travel document
•confirmation letter from the Startup Committee regarding qualification as a startup or confirmation
regarding participation in qualified accelerator program
•1 color photo with measures 35x45 mm
•a document confirming the payment of the state fee
•an insurance policy valid for Estonia or for the Schengen area with a coverage of at least 30.000 EUR for
the entire duration of stay
•evidence of sufficient means of subsistence
•evidence regarding accommodation
•any information which supports an applicant intention to leave the Schengen area before the expiry of the
visa

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(4) How to apply - TRP! After positive evaluation from the Startup Committee
To apply for a TRP for startup entrepreneurship:
•For fill out the application form for TRP, print it and sign it (make sure to tick ”business” as
Basis for Application and provideinformation of the Startup Committee positive evaluation in
“other important information” field).
•Take the application personally to one of Estonian Foreign Representations or to a Service
Point for the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, if you are already legally staying in
Estonia.

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(5) How to apply - TRP?
Documents to be submitted along with yourTRP application:
• a valid identity document
• data on close relatives and family members (if applicable)
• confirmation letter from the Startup Committee regarding qualification as a startup
• color photo with measures 40x50 mm
• a document confirming the payment of the state fee
• have health insurance contract for the whole duration of the TRP and sufficient legal income
min 130 EUR per every month of stay in Estonia

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For employment in Estonian
startup

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I Employment in Estonian Startup:
Short-term employment
§ Long-term visa (national visa) for short-term employment issued for up to a 1-year-
stay; can be extended for up to 6 months
§ Exemption from limitation of maximum working period
§ Requirement to pay at least the Estonian minimum gross salary to the foreigner
§ Can bring the spouse and children along
For other companies than startups:
• Can work up to 9 months in a 12 month
period
• Requirement to pay at least the monthly
Estonian average salary

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II Employment in Estonian Startup:
Temporary residence permit (TRP) for employment
§ TRP for employmentfor up to 2 years and extendable for up to 5 years (starting October
‘17 permit for 5 years and extendable by 10 years)
§ Requirement to pay at least the Estonian minimum gross salary to the foreigner, notthe
Estonian average (as under general terms)
• Can bring the spouse and children along
• Exemption from immigration quota
For other companies than startups:
§Prior consent from Estonian UnemploymentOffice
(stating employee with same skills can’t be acquired
nationally)
§Immigration quota applies
§Requirement to pay at least monthly Estonian average
salary

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For Whom?
§ Foreign employees that commence employement in Estonian startups, that get a positive
evaluation from the STARTUPCOMMITTEE
§ Foreign employees that commence employment in Estonian startups, that are listed as startups
by the degree of Ministry of Interior: http://startupestonia.ee/visa/estonian-startups

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(1) How to apply!
§ Before applying for a visa or TRP, the Estonian startup needs a positive evaluation from the
STARTUPCOMMITTEE
• Employermust fill out an electronical application in startup.includer.io
• Startup community organizations evaluate wheather the company qualifies as a startup as
defined in the Aliens Act
• within 10 working days, the STARTUPCOMMITTEE issues an evaluation
Evaluation from STARTUPCOMMITTEEis not needed if the companyhas already been
listed as startup

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(2) How to apply- VISA! After positive evaluation from the Startup Committee
§ Before applying for a visa, the Estonian startup needs to register the foreigners short-term
employment
§ Employer needs to fill in the application form and send it to the Police and Border Guard Board
• within 10 working days, the decision will be taken by the PBGB
§ To apply for visa for short-term employmentin Estonian startup:
• Fill out the application form for visa, print it and sign it (make sure to tick short-term employment
as Purpose of Stay)
• Take the application personally to one of Estonian Foreign Representations dealing with long-term
visas (see the link) or to a Service Point for the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, if you
are already legally staying in Estonia

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(3) How to apply- VISA?
Documents to be submitted along with yourvisa application:
•a valid travel document
•confirmation letter from the Police and Border Guard Board regarding short-term employment registration
•1 color photo with measures 35x45 mm
•a document confirming the payment of the state fee
•an insurance policy valid for Estonia or for the Schengen area with a coverage of at least 30.000 EUR for
the entire duration of stay
•evidence regarding accommodation
•any information which supports an applicant intention to leave the Schengen area before the expiry of the
visa

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(4) How to apply - TRP! After positive evaluation from the Startup Committee
To apply for TRP for employment:
•Fill out the application form for TRP, print it and sign it (make sure to tick ”employment” as
Basis for Application and provideinformation of the Startup Committee positive evaluation in
“other important information” field)
•Take the application personally to one of Estonian Foreign Representations or to a Service
Point for the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, if you are already legally staying in
Estonia

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(5) How to apply - TRP?
Documents to submitted along with yourTRP application:
•a valid identity document
•data on close relatives and family members (if applicable)
•color photo with measures 40x50 mm
•a document confirming the payment of the state fee
•The employer must submit to the Police and Border Guard Board:
• an invitation letter (the employer must tick Employment in Startup as data regarding employment)
• confirmation letter from the Startup Committee regarding qualification as a startup

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Killu Vantsi
killu.vantsi@moi.ee
+372 53234092
Rivo Riistop
rivo@startupestonia.ee
+372 5250902