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| Tallinn Old Town Square |
London, United Kingdom, July
7, 2020- Estonia has become the first country in the world to launch Digital Nomad
Visa programme. According to available news reports, Estonia’s government has approved the amendments to the Alien
Act to allow the creation of a digital nomad visa, making the country the first
country in the world to establish such a visa.
7, 2020- Estonia has become the first country in the world to launch Digital Nomad
Visa programme. According to available news reports, Estonia’s government has approved the amendments to the Alien
Act to allow the creation of a digital nomad visa, making the country the first
country in the world to establish such a visa.
Digital Nomad Visa becomes available from July 15, 2020.
Digital nomads and remote workers have long faced ambiguity when
working while they travel, often skirting the law by working while visiting a
country with a tourist visa. Estonian Digital Nomad Visa will allow foreign
nationals to live in Estonia while working for a foreign employer or as a
freelancer. The Digital Nomad Visa will be available for stays of up-to 90 days
under a short-term application process, or up-to one year under a long-term
application process.
working while they travel, often skirting the law by working while visiting a
country with a tourist visa. Estonian Digital Nomad Visa will allow foreign
nationals to live in Estonia while working for a foreign employer or as a
freelancer. The Digital Nomad Visa will be available for stays of up-to 90 days
under a short-term application process, or up-to one year under a long-term
application process.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic related entry restrictions in Estonia,
currently, only those residing in the European Union, Schengen Area or United
Kingdom can apply for the Digital Nomad Visa. As travel restrictions are
relaxed in Estonia, the Digital Nomad Visa will become available to more
applicants from rest of the world.
currently, only those residing in the European Union, Schengen Area or United
Kingdom can apply for the Digital Nomad Visa. As travel restrictions are
relaxed in Estonia, the Digital Nomad Visa will become available to more
applicants from rest of the world.
According to Estonia’s Ministry of the Interior Mart Helme, a digital nomad
visa will allow citizens from other countries who are engaged in jobs
independent of location and time, mostly in the field of technology, finance or
marketing, to work in Estonia. The Ministry also opined that Digital Nomad Visas
will be granted for both short-term and long-term stay purposes.
visa will allow citizens from other countries who are engaged in jobs
independent of location and time, mostly in the field of technology, finance or
marketing, to work in Estonia. The Ministry also opined that Digital Nomad Visas
will be granted for both short-term and long-term stay purposes.
As for now, countries that offer visas for digital nomads are
Germany, Estonia, Costa Rica, Norway, Mexico, Portugal and the Czech Republic.
However, to get long-term visas in these countries is not so easy for digital
nomads due to very tough terms and conditions.
Germany, Estonia, Costa Rica, Norway, Mexico, Portugal and the Czech Republic.
However, to get long-term visas in these countries is not so easy for digital
nomads due to very tough terms and conditions.
Mart Helme said, “A digital nomads visa strengthens Estonia’s image as an e-state and thus
enables Estonia to have a more effective say on an international scale. It also
contributes to the export of Estonian e-solutions, which is especially
important in recovering from the current economic crisis.”
enables Estonia to have a more effective say on an international scale. It also
contributes to the export of Estonian e-solutions, which is especially
important in recovering from the current economic crisis.”
Estonia’s already existing E-Residency programme which allows
citizens from other countries to open companies in Estonia, has already put the
country as one of world’s most digital-friendly societies.
Now, with the Digital Nomad Visa, Estonia is transforming how people in the
world choose to work.
citizens from other countries to open companies in Estonia, has already put the
country as one of world’s most digital-friendly societies.
Now, with the Digital Nomad Visa, Estonia is transforming how people in the
world choose to work.
Minister Mart Helme stressed that “by default, no digital nomad is entitled to a visa and their
background is checked as carefully as for other visa applicants”.
background is checked as carefully as for other visa applicants”.
According to Estonia’s government, the Digital Nomad Visa
Program will be implemented gradually. In the first stage will be included
internationals who prove that they are digital nomads, and they will be
eligible to apply for a visa.
“In the future, solutions are being developed
that will enable the integration of other Estonian e-government solutions,
especially e-residency, with the digital nomad visa. The program offered by a reliable
service provider is planned in the future,” Estonia’s
Ministry of the Interior announced.
Program will be implemented gradually. In the first stage will be included
internationals who prove that they are digital nomads, and they will be
eligible to apply for a visa.
“In the future, solutions are being developed
that will enable the integration of other Estonian e-government solutions,
especially e-residency, with the digital nomad visa. The program offered by a reliable
service provider is planned in the future,” Estonia’s
Ministry of the Interior announced.
Here are the full-details on how to apply for the Digital Nomad
Visa.
Visa.
Estonia Digital
Nomad Visa: Who is eligible to apply?
Nomad Visa: Who is eligible to apply?
You can apply for the
digital nomad visa if you meet the following requirements:
digital nomad visa if you meet the following requirements:
- You are able to work independent of location
- You can perform your work duties remotely using telecommunications
technology - You either have an active employment contract with a company registered
outside of Estonia, conduct business through your own company registered
abroad, or work as a freelancer for clients mostly outside of Estonia. - You can provide evidence that your income met the minimum threshold
during the six months preceding the application. Currently, the monthly income
threshold is €3504 (gross of tax).
Estonia Digital
Nomad Visa: How to apply?
Nomad Visa: How to apply?
- Applications open on 15 July 2020
- Review the eligibility requirements.
- Fill in the application form online. Print the form and sign
it after completion. The state fee is 80€ for a Type C (short stay) visa and
100€ Type D (long stay) visa. - Make an appointment at your nearest Estonian Embassy or
Consulate to submit your application. Make sure you bring copies of any
required supporting documents. - Applications are typically reviewed not sooner than 15 days
If you are already legally in
Estonia and would like to extend your stay, you can also apply for this visa at
a Police and Border Guard Board office. If you choose to apply in Estonia, make
sure you have enough time for the application processing period.
Estonia and would like to extend your stay, you can also apply for this visa at
a Police and Border Guard Board office. If you choose to apply in Estonia, make
sure you have enough time for the application processing period.
