Estonia – Trainee

Are you a non-EU citizen wishing to carry out a traineeship in Estonia? You can find information below on the conditions to fulfil and procedures to follow, as well as the rights you can enjoy during your stay.

You can apply to carry out a traineeship in Estonia if you have a higher education degree for no longer than 2 years or if you are pursuing a higher education degree in a non-EU country. You must have a training agreement with a host entity/company in Estonia and the practical training must be related to the education acquired or to be acquired.

If you fulfil the conditions, you will be issued a long-stay visa or residence permit.

Where and how to apply 

You can apply for a visa or residence permit at the foreign mission of Estonia or, in case you are legally in Estonia (e.g. with a visa), at the Police and Border Guard Board services.

You may work in Estonia by registering your short-term employment in Estonia at the Police and Border Guard or you need to apply for a residence permit at the Police and Border Guard. Under the registration of short-term employment it is permitted to work for up to 365 days within 455 consecutive days.

Documents required

You need to provide a valid passport, photo, traineeship agreement, health insurance and be ready to prove sufficient financial resources in order to arrive and stay in Estonia.

Duration of validity of permits/visas

It is permitted to register a short-term employment for traineeship for up to 365 days within 455 consecutive days.

Appeals

You will receive a written notification for registration or refusal of registration of a short-term employment within 10 business days.

Appeals can be brought to administrative courts or a challenge may be filed against decisions to refusal within ten days from the date of notification of the decision. A decision on the challenge may be contested in an administrative court within the same term.

Change of status 

You may apply for a residence permit at the Police and Border Guard services.

Family members

Your family members may accompany you and apply for a visa at the Estonian foreign representations or at the Police and Border Guard services under the same conditions as yours.

Long-term residence

In order to apply for long-term residence, you need to have resided in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit for at least last five years before the submission of the application.

No information available at the moment.