Estonia, a small yet beautiful country located in Northern Europe, is known for its picturesque landscapes, rich culture, and history. With its charming capital city of Tallinn, Estonia is a popular destination for tourists and business travelers alike. However, for Indian citizens, traveling to Estonia requires obtaining a visa, which can be a confusing and daunting task.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at the Estonia visa for Indian citizens and provide all the necessary information to make the process as smooth as possible.
Types of Estonia Visas
The first step in obtaining an Estonia visa for Indian citizens is to determine which Estonia visa types are required. Indian citizens can either apply for a traditional visa or an e-visa, depending on the intended length of stay.
Obtaining an Estonia e-visa is certainly a better option, as you can apply for this travel document online via VisaHQ. The following are two types of Estonia Schengen visas available for Indian citizens:
Tourist Visa
This Schengen visa is valid for tourism and leisure purposes, including exploring the country and visiting family members. You can either apply for a single-entry tourist visa or a multiple-entry visa. Both options permit holders to stay in Estonia for 90 consecutive days.
Business Visa
Alternatively, Indian passport holders can also apply for an Estonian business visa to meet business meetings and conferences. This visa option allows holders to stay in the country for 90 days within a 3-month period.
Eligibility Criteria for Estonia Visa
The next step in obtaining an Estonia visa for Indian citizens is to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria for an Estonia visa vary from applicant to applicant, depending on the selected visa type.
Basic Estonia visa requirements for an Estonia visa include the following:
Valid Passport with at least two blank pages and a validity of at least three months beyond the intended date of departure from Estonia.
Proof of Sufficient Funds to cover their expenses during their stay in Estonia.
Means of Payment to pay the visa processing fee as well as the service fee. As the entire process is streamlined, you can use online means of payment.
E-mail Address to submit your application form and receive your electronic visa. Your email must be valid and active in order to receive your Estonia visa.
Medical Documents - You may need to have a negative PCR test taken within the 3 days of arrival. Also, applicants may need to undergo a 10-day quarantine.
It's important to note that these are just the basic Estonian visa requirements. It's recommended to visit VisaHQ and check the list of all required documents prior to starting the Estonia Schengen visa application process.
Application Process
Once you have determined the required type of visa and eligibility criteria, you can start the visa application process. If you are required to apply for a traditional visa, you'll need to visit the embassy and submit your application form in person. In this case, you may even have to schedule a visa interview.
Applying for a traditional visa is certainly a time-consuming and complicated procedure. Therefore, it's recommended to apply for an Estonia e-visa from the comfort of your home. To do so, you can partner up with VisaHQ. Here's a step-by-step guide explaining how to apply for an Estonian national visa online:
Visit VisaHQ
Select your citizenship
Select your Travel Destination
Complete the Estonia visa application form
Pay the visa fees and the Estonia visa services charges
Submit your Estonian Schengen visa application
To complete the Estonia application form, you'll need to provide personal, passport, contact, and travel information, including full name, place of birth, date of birth, phone number, email address, and so on.
Before you submit your application, make sure to review it thoroughly. If your online form is incomplete or incorrect, your visa will be denied or delayed by the Estonian embassy. Once you submit your application, the embassy will process it, and you'll receive your valid visa via email.
Processing Time
The processing time for an Estonia visa for Indian citizens varies depending on the type of visa and the embassy or consulate where the application is being processed. On average, the processing time for an e-visa can fall anywhere between 10-15 working days. Indian citizens must ensure that they apply for their visa well in advance of their intended date of travel to avoid any delays.
Keep in mind that an Estonian visa does not ensure your entry and stay in the Schengen country. The final decision is completely up to the immigration officer. Therefore, you must fulfill Estonia's entry requirements as well while traveling to the country.