Estonia’s startup visa allows you to start a new business there and settle as well. The special type of visa permit, named “Startup Visa” can help you if you’re a non-EU founder to grow your startup business in Estonia, which represents the world’s best place to start and run a business. All you need to do is to create a great product or idea, which will be really attractive and scalable. Estonian startup visa can be very appropriate to hire you as non-EU talent and can become your ticket to make your dream a reality.
“There are almost 650 startups in Estonia. During the first six months of 2019, 24 new investment deals were made in total in the amount of 117 M EUR”.
Why startup in Estonia?
Estonia is a unique and emerging country for new startups with each passing day. The major reasons are:
- It is Europe’s number 1 most entrepreneurial country.
- Almost 3,700 IT companies regularly go on hiring new talent.
- It is number three in Europe as per startups per capita.
- According to the Police and Border Guard Board, the number of international talent has increased to 2 times during the last 5 years.
- IELTS is not mandatory even if your job has English language requirements.
Who is eligible to apply?
To be qualified for the Startup Visa as a founder, you will need:
- An amount of €150 for every month you want to spend in Estonia or €1800 per year. It is the minimum required by law. With the rental price of €500+ a month, plus other living expenses, you will need more money to live a comfortable life in Estonia.
- Your business model is expected to lead a global growth potential, for example, to be Technology-based, innovative, and scalable, not restaurants or one-employee companies. The Startup Visa is targeted at tech-driven startups that solve big problems and will serve millions of people around the world.
- Your application will be reviewed by people who work with startups on a daily basis. People who work in Startup Committee are very precise and mark everything, so the approval will help you to meet the definition of a startup and can enable you a Startup Visa.
You can run your startup in Estonia, completing the following two options:
If you don’t have an Estonian company, you can choose the option to apply for a long-term visa with up to 12 months or a short-term visa with up to 3 months.
If you already have an Estonian located business, you can apply for a startup visa that can be both short-term or long-term, or a temporary residence visa for the startup business, up to five years.
The process of applying:
1. Fill the qualification form – Introduce your company to the Startup Committee, giving clear and outstanding information. Keep in mind to apply to an accelerated program or choosing the potential investor (click here to apply).
2. Qualification process – The Startup Committee is built of members of the Estonian startup community and after reviewing, expect the decision with up to 10 working days. You will get the verification letter with the application code.
3. Applying for the startup visa – If your company can pass the qualification process, fill out the startup-visa application or the application for a temporary residence visa, using the unique application code that you will get before. You need to apply in the Estonian embassy in a city of your choice, or at the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board.
Online startup visa form for short term
Long stay (D) visa form for startup
Paper-based startup visa form
4. Start the adventure – When your application will be approved, get ready to move to Estonia. There are really useful websites that will guide you, such as Work in Estonia, Welcoming Programme, and Topia.
Required documents
Submit the following documents together with your visa application form.
- A valid travel document (passport)
- Confirmation letter from the Startup Committee, or participation confirmation in a qualified accelerated program.
- A color photo with size 35 x 45 mm
- Confirmation document of state payment fee.
- You will also need an insurance policy valid for Estonia, with the amount of €30,000 for the entire residing in Estonia. The same is for the Schengen area.
- Proofs for enough means of subsistence.
- Evidence of your plan for accommodation in Estonia.
- Details that increase your chances to leave the Schengen area before the expiry date of the startup visa, such as flight tickets for returning and similar things.
Costs and fees
For a long-term visa, the state fee is around €80. Ukrainian and Belarusian residents are free from paying this type of fee.
The state fee for a temporary residence permit is €160 when applying in Estonia, or €180 when applying at an Estonian embassy.
You can bring your family with you when your visa is approved. You can do the same for your family-spouse, minor children, and adult children who because of their health status or health disability, are not really confident. The same means to the family when this type of visa is extended.
Important to know:
Apply for startup (business) funding here
Company application to Startup Committee
Check Estonian embassies here worldwide.
How to write a CV?
How to write a cover letter?
Below are some main startup ecosystems in Estonia:
- AdTech & Creative Tech
- Advanced Manufacturing & Industry
- AgTech & FoodTech
- Business software, services & HR
- CleanTech
- Communication
- Consumer products & services
- CyberTech
- DeepTech & SpaceTech
- EdTech
- FinTech
- Gaming
- HealthTech, Life sciences & Wellness
- PropTech & Construction
- Transportation & Logistics
- TravelTech
Related
Visa
Visa
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Hello,
I’m writing to ask a question. What’s the difference between a company that has been registered based on a startup visa and a normal company that is registered by someone who has resident in Estonia? What kinds of benefits can be considered for the first company more than the second one? The first company has been registered based on Estonian startup committee.
Thanks and Best Regards,
Me already working in Dubai suply 8 month company location ryasl khyema
New viza apply