Start-up Visas: 10 countries that will support your new venture
Start-ups are a massive boost for economies. Savvy countries around the world recognise this. Consequently, they are fast-tracking people with great i
EU, European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss citizens can move to Estonia without needing a visa. If you want to work for a period longer than three months, registration as an Estonian resident is needed. Additionally, this must be done within the first three months of stay.
If you are from outside the EU and EEA and want to live in Estonia for a period longer than six months you have to apply for a residence permit. The residence permit allows you to work in the country as well. If you want to stay permanently you can apply for a long-term temporary residence. This leads to eligibility for a permanent residency.
Estonia offers a number of visas for those looking to visit Estonia, live and work in Estonia, or to immigrate to Estonia. In keeping with Estonia’s drive to modernise, this includes the innovative Estonia e-Residency program.
Estonia e-Residency
You can register a business and become a virtual resident of Estonia. This allows you to get an Estonia ID card. With this Estonia identification, you can open bank accounts, sign documents, open a company, and more. And you can do all of this over the internet without ever visiting Estonia. For freelancers and digital nomads, Estonia e-residency may be the virtual visa you need to make your business location independent while being a European VAT registered entity. Estonia’s welcoming bureaucracy and innovative, low tax environment are great for online businesses.
Estonia Tourist Visa
Estonia is a part of the SCHENGEN area and as such issues SCHENGEN tourist visas. Please see use the Visa HQ tool here to see if you require a SCHENGEN Estonia tourist visa to visit Estonia.
Estonia Youth Mobility Visa
If you are an Australian, Canadian or New Zealand citizen between the ages of 18-30, you may be eligible under the Working Holiday Maker programme. This visa allows you to live and work in Estonia, subject to conditions.
Estonia Startup Visa
Founders of startups are eligible for residency of Estonia.
Under the Estonia Startup Visa program, a startup is defined as a business with the goal to develop and launch an innovative and repeatable business model with great global growth potential. Additionally, it must contribute significantly to the development of the business environment in Estonia. If your startup meets these criteria you can apply for an Estonia Startup visa to immigrate to Estonia to live and work.
Estonia Family Visa
If one or both of your spouse’s parents were citizens when he/she was born, your spouse is probably also a citizen. Accordingly, you can apply for residency through your spouse which will allow you to immigrate to Estonia. Importantly, your spouse needs to be recognised and registered as a spouse or partner as per local laws.
Estonia Long-Stay D-Visa (Estonia Work Permit)
You can apply for an Estonia long-stay visa if you have a confirmation letter from your host and documents proving that you are going to work in Estonia.
Estonia citizenship and an Estonia passport are powerful instruments. Estonia is a part of the European Union, with all its rights and privileges of living, working, and travelling in the region. Indeed, in the Estonia passport was recently ranked as the 12th most powerful passport in the world. It offers visa-free access to 179 countries.
Estonia citizenship through your Family
Estonia citizenship by Marriage
If your spouse is a citizen or permanent resident of Estonia, you are eligible for temporary residence. After 5 years you can apply for residency and then after another 3 years, you can apply for citizenship. Please note that your status of spouse needs to be legally recognised in this country.
Estonia citizenship through naturalisation
You may be eligible for Estonia citizenship and an Estonia passport if you have spent 5 years as a permanent resident, or 8 years as a resident. There are conditions for this program.
Estonia also encourages immigration through its residency by investment programs.
Estonia Residency by Investment
Estonia Major Investor Scheme. You need to invest €1,000,000 directly in the Estonian economy to qualify for this visa. The investment must be into a company registered on the Estonia commercial register or in a fund that invests primarily in Estonian companies. Once this Estonia residence visa is issued there is no restriction on the holder or their family living and working in Estonia. After 8 years of residency, you are eligible for Estonia citizenship and an Estonia passport.
Business owner and sole proprietor. If you invest a capital sum of €65,000 or more (€16,000 if you are a sole proprietor) in an Estonian company where you have substantial control and hire or create jobs, you could gain residency in Estonia. In addition, you need to show that your residency in Estonia is necessary and related to the business investment. After 8 years of residency, you are eligible for Estonia citizenship and an Estonia passport.
Do you have experience of moving to Estonia? We’d love to hear from you about why you chose to immigrate to Estonia and the pros and cons of living and working there. For example, we’d be very interested in your experience with Estonia visas and residency permits, Estonia citizenship, Estonia nationality, and Estonia passports. Please contact us to share your Expat story here.