The Government of the Republic of Estonia has approved a sanction imposing a restriction on citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus applying for an Estonian visa.
Restrictions for Russian citizens
Restrictions on accepting visa applications apply to all types of visas (both Schengen C-type and national D-type visas) and purposes of travel, except for those Russian citizens who are:
- visiting a spouse, who is an Estonian citizen residing in Estonia or a person residing in Estonia on the basis of Estonian long-term residence permit;
- visiting a relative in the direct descending (children and their descendants) or ascending (parents and their ascendants) line who is an Estonian citizen residing in Estonia or a person residing in Estonia on the basis of Estonian long-term residence permit;
- visiting an Estonian citizen residing in Estonia or a person residing in Estonia on the basis of Estonian long-term residence permit and with whom they raise a minor child;
- employees of a diplomatic mission or consular post in Estonia and their family members;
- directly involved in the international carriage of goods and passengers;
- European Union citizens family members, who want to use the right of free movement under the directive 2004/38/EU;
- whose entry into Estonia is necessary for humanitarian reasons (e.g. funerals).
The order of the Government of the Republic restricts temporary entry into Estonia from 19.09.22 for citizens of the Russian Federation who hold a valid short-term Schengen visa. All questions concerning border crossing into Estonia should be addressed Estonian Police and Border Guard Board.
Additional information and Frequently Asked Questions can be found on website https://kriis.ee/en/travelling-crossing-state-border/travelling-estonia/visas-russian-citizens
NB! From 31 March 2025, the Republic of Estonia no longer recognises non-biometric foreign passports issued by the Russian Federation.
Frequently asked questions about the recognition of non-biometric Russian passports can be found on the following link.
Restrictions for Belarusian citizens
Belarusian citizens will not be issued visas for:
- short-term employment in Estonia;
- engaging in business, including start-up business;
- teleworking.
Consular and visa services at the Estonian Embassy in Minsk are temporarily suspended, more information can be found on the embassy´s website.
