Entering Estonia on a Canadian passport
- → Travel with just your valid Canadian passport. No visa or prior application needed.
- → See the exact document checklist for Canadian applicants — only needed if you apply for a longer-stay visa.
Estonia visa documents for Canadian applicants
No visa documents are needed for a short visit — Canadian citizens enter Estonia with just a valid passport. If you apply for a longer-stay visa, these are the exact documents required, by visa type, from the official visa application centre.
otherLong Stay
General documents. All applicants must present: - Application form can be filled in Estonian or English. Application form must be filled online, printed out and signed at the end of each page and at the end of the form; application is available at this link: eelviisataotlus.vm.ee ↗ (eelviisataotlus.vm.ee ↗) - with size 35×45 mm, no older than 6 months, showing applicant looking directly to the camera, neutral facial expression, be taken with a plain light-coloured background, without head covering except for religious reasons, but applicant’s facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of your face must be clearly shown. Please find additional information about requirements to the photo here. Photo must be glued to the application form; - Travel document,which is issued within previous 10 years, contains at least two blank pages for visas and is valid at least 3 months after the expiration date of the visa; - which guarantees payment of any costs related to applicant’s medical treatment due to applicant’s illness or injury during the validity of the visa. As a rule, travel medical insurance must be valid for the whole period of requested visa, in most cases length of the visa is directly linked with length of insurance. If applicant will be covered with Estonian health insurance (Haigekassa) after arrival to Estonia, travel medical insurance must cover only the period until Estonian health insurance (Haigekassa) insurance becomes valid. For example – if person applies visa for short-term employment, travel medical insurance must cover travel period and first 14 days of working. If applicant applies for a visa to go to Estonia to apply for a residence permit, applicant’s insurance must cover period which applicant needs for lodging residence permit application and getting answer to the residence permit application. In this case it is suggested to get an insurance for 6 months at least. - Threshold of financial means (living expenses): [Table: Long Stay] Additionally applicant must prove that he or she has enough financial means for other expenses related to applicant’s stay in Estonia (e.g. tuition fees). - Documents applicant can use to prove that he or she has sufficient financial means: - bank statement for last six months; - documents proving that applicant has had regular income during last six months and that he or she will not lose this income during his or her stay in Estonia; - if another person is covering applicant’s expenses during stay in Estonia applicant must present this person’s sponsorship letter which is accompanied with documents proving that sponsor has enough financial means to sponsor the applicant. Supporting documents according to the purpose of stay: Study: - confirmation of the educational institution in Estonia about admission of the applicant; - exchange student presents also confirmation from local educational institution, where applicant studies; - students, who are participating in international program (i.e. Erasmus) present also confirmation from the local coordinator of the program and other documents which prove applicant’s status as participant of international program. Short-term employment: - printout of the confirmation of the registration of the short-term employment. Start-up business: - printout of the notification from of the Startup Committee about positive decision (you can read more about Startup Committee at this link: startupestonia.ee ↗ (startupestonia.ee ↗) Moving to close relative (visiting family or friends): - document proving family relations (birth or marriage certificate or certificates). These documents must be presented in original together with a copy (also original pf the document must be submitted to the Consulate), original documents are returned to the applicant together with applicant’s passport; - if applicant is an adult child who due to his or her health status or disability is unable to cope independently – documents proving his or her health status or disability. Visa for teleworking (digital nomad visa): - documents proving that the applicant’s work does not depend on location and he or she can use telecommunication technology for performing his or her duties as telework; - documents proving that the applicant continues working for an employer registered in a foreign country with whom he or she has a contractual relationship or continues working under contract for an foreign employer (not registered in Estonia) or carries out business activities for a foreign company in which applicant has holdings or provides services mainly to customers whose place of business is in a foreign country and with whom he/she has a contractual relationship; - documents proving the applicant’s legal income during six months preceding submission of the application and showing the amount, regularity and sources of the income. Currently the monthly income threshold is 4500 euros; - resume of studies and job history (CV). More detailed information about the digital nomad visa requirements at this link: medium.com ↗ (medium.com ↗) Exceptions Working Holiday visa for the citizens of Canada Under the Bilateral Youth Mobility Agreement between Canada and Estonia visas are being issued, granting the right to work to 18-35 year old Canadian citizens, who may stay in Estonia for up to a year. The citizens of Canada willing to benefit from the application of this Agreement have to apply for D type visa at the Estonian representation which is handling visa applications. More information: ottawa.mfa.ee ↗ (ottawa.mfa.ee ↗) - birth certificate (original + copy). If single parent or guardian, the court order must be provided. The birth certificate and court order need to be legalized or certified with an apostille certificate. If the documents are not in English, notarized translation must be provided; - notarized consent letter signed by both parents or legal guardian(s) if not travelling with the minor; - copy of passport of parent(s) or guardian(s) if not applying together with the minor. - Biometrics - All applicants who are 12 or older must give fingerprints of all 10 fingers. - State fee (visa fee) - Visa fee for examining application of D-visa is 100 Euros. - Visa fee for examining application of D-visa for applicant with age 6 to 11 years is 40 Euros. - Applicants below six gratis. Visa fee is collected in CAD, fees in CAD are determined on every first working day of each month and will be used from the second working day of the month until the first working day of following month.
otherShort Stay
Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, please click here (visa.vfsglobal.com ↗) Applicants applying for a short term Schengen visa for Estonia are advised to submit documents as per the checklist, available at this link (PDF checklist ↗) Please choose an appropriate Visa Category and submit documents accordingly. Various Visa Categories are Tourism; Visting family or friend; Business/ work; Study or research; Culture or sports. Please note that mere possession of a Schengen visa does not confer an automatic right to enter the Schengen Area. At the external border, visa holders may be requested to produce documents justifying the purpose and conditions of their intended stay; that they have sufficient means of subsistence, both for the period of the intended stay and for the return to their country of origin or transit to a third state into which they are certain to be admitted, or are in a position to acquire such means lawfully.
Other Estonia visa categories (13)Hide other visa categories
These don't apply to a typical short visit, but cover other reasons people travel to Estonia. Eligibility varies by visa type — some are limited to specific nationalities, so check each one's conditions.
Long-Stay D Visa – Short-Term Employment
Allows a third-country national to enter Estonia to take up short-term paid employment with an Estonian employer for a period exceeding 90 days but not more than 365 days.
Fee EUR 120 (approx USD 130); children 6–11 EUR 60. Financial means requirement: EUR 1,320 one-time for short-term employment. Two consecutive D-visas cannot exceed 548 days within 730 consecutive days. Also allows up to 90 days travel in other Schengen states. Foreign documents require apostille/legalization and translation.
Apply here ↗Long-Stay D Visa – Seasonal Work
Permits third-country nationals to undertake seasonal agricultural or other seasonal work in Estonia for up to 365 days within a 12-month period.
Fee EUR 120. Financial means requirement: EUR 880 one-time for applicant; EUR 704 one-time for accompanying spouse. Separate from the standard work D-visa sub-category.
Apply here ↗Long-Stay D Visa – Studies
Enables third-country nationals to enter Estonia for study at an accredited institution (university, college, or other recognised programme) for periods exceeding 90 days.
Fee EUR 120. Financial means: EUR 880/month for student; accompanying spouse requires EUR 2,100/month. PhD students have reduced spouse requirement of EUR 704/month. Schengen travel allowed up to 90 days per 180 days.
Apply here ↗Long-Stay D Visa – Digital Nomad (Remote Work)
Allows remote workers employed by companies or clients outside Estonia to live and work in Estonia for up to one year.
Fee EUR 120. Financial means threshold: EUR 132/day (approximately EUR 3,960/month) per vm.ee D-visa table; program income benchmark is EUR 4,500/month (EUR 150/day) per e-resident.gov.ee. Applicant must be employed by or own a company registered outside Estonia, or freelance primarily for foreign clients. Application submitted at nearest Estonian Embassy. Processing up to 30 days.
Apply here ↗Long-Stay D Visa – Start-up Business
Permits founders of start-up companies with international growth potential to enter Estonia to establish and operate their business.
Fee EUR 120. Financial means: EUR 880/month for applicant; EUR 704/month for spouse. Typically a precursor to applying for Residence Permit for Start-up Entrepreneur. Expert committee evaluation required via Startup Estonia.
Apply here ↗Long-Stay D Visa – Working Holiday
Allows young adults from partner countries to stay in Estonia for up to 12 months, combining tourism with incidental employment.
Fee EUR 120. Available to citizens of Australia and New Zealand (ages 18–35) and Canada (ages 18–35) and Japan (ages 18–30). Bilateral working holiday agreements underpin eligibility. Primary purpose is holiday/travel; work is permitted incidentally.
Apply here ↗Long-Stay D Visa – Family Reunification / Other Purposes
Permits third-country nationals joining family members legally residing in Estonia, or other long-stay purposes not covered by other D-visa sub-categories.
Fee EUR 120. Financial means for 'other purposes': EUR 70/day for applicant and accompanying spouse; EUR 70/day per child. Covers family members of Estonian residents and other lawful long-stay purposes. Schengen travel up to 90/180 days also permitted.
Apply here ↗Schengen Visa – Diplomatic / Official Passport Holders
Visa issued (or exemption granted) for holders of diplomatic, service, or official passports of countries with bilateral agreements with Estonia/EU, for official travel.
Approximately 25 countries' diplomatic/service/official passport holders enter visa-free for up to 90 days per 180-day period under bilateral agreements. Includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus (biometric), Belize, Bolivia, Cabo Verde, Egypt, India, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia (biometric), Morocco, China, Philippines, Suriname, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Vietnam. Russia's diplomatic exemption is suspended per EU Council Decision (EU) 2022/333 of 25 February 2022. Georgia's diplomatic/service exemption also suspended as of 8 May 2025.
Apply here ↗Long-Stay D Visa – Start-up Employment
Allows a non-EU national to enter Estonia to take up employment at an officially recognised Estonian start-up company.
Fee EUR 120. Financial means: EUR 880 one-time for applicant; EUR 704 one-time for accompanying spouse. Intended for employees of start-up companies that have received a positive evaluation from the Ministry of Interior expert committee. Distinct from the start-up business D-visa (for founders).
Apply here ↗Temporary Residence Permit for Employment
Enables a non-EU/EEA national with a job offer from an Estonian employer to live and work in Estonia long-term, beyond the 12-month limit of the long-stay D visa.
State fee EUR 250 when applied for at a service point in Estonia, EUR 280 at a foreign representation (Estonian embassy). Issued for up to 5 years and extendable up to 10 years at a time. Covers many employment sub-categories (skilled workers, top specialists, experts, ICT, scientists, teachers, athletes, creative workers, posted/company employees, etc.). Most employment requires prior authorisation from the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund and, unless exempt (e.g. ICT, start-up, top specialists), counts against the annual immigration quota. Decision within 90 days; residence-permit card issued within 30 days after approval.
Apply here ↗EU Blue Card (Estonia)
Residence-and-work permit for highly qualified non-EU/EEA professionals with a higher-education qualification (or equivalent experience) and a qualifying salary who take up skilled employment in Estonia.
Highly-qualified employment residence permit issued under the (recast) EU Blue Card Directive and the Estonian Aliens Act. Requires a completed higher-education programme of at least 3 years (or at least 5 years of relevant professional experience) and a gross monthly salary of at least 1.5x the Estonian average (1.24x for shortage occupations such as ICT). Minimum employment contract 6 months; issued for the contract duration plus 3 months. Excluded from the annual immigration quota. State fee EUR 250 (in Estonia) / EUR 280 (abroad). Decision within 90 days. Also documented on the EU immigration portal: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/eu-immigration-portal/eu-blue-card/eu-blue-card-estonia_en
Apply here ↗Temporary Residence Permit for Study
Allows a non-EU/EEA national admitted to an accredited Estonian school, vocational institution or university (bachelor's, master's or doctoral level) to reside in Estonia for the duration of study.
Issued for up to 5 years depending on the nominal duration of study. Decision within 90 days; residence-permit card issued within 30 days after approval. Standard temporary-residence-permit state fee applies (the study category is not separately priced on the official fee schedule). Students may work in Estonia without a separate work permit provided it does not interfere with their studies. The long-stay D visa for studies is used to enter Estonia while this residence permit covers the full study period.
Apply here ↗Temporary Residence Permit to Settle with a Spouse or Family Member
Family-reunification permit for the spouse, minor child or dependent close relative of an Estonian citizen or a foreigner residing in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit.
State fee EUR 115 when applied for at a service point in Estonia, EUR 145 at a foreign representation, when settling with a spouse or close relative. Issued for up to 5 years but not longer than the validity of the sponsor's residence permit; extendable up to 10 years at a time. The applicant must have legal income of at least twice the subsistence level and register their place of residence in the Population Register; the sponsoring family member submits a signed invitation. Decision within 90 days.
Apply here ↗Estonia visa for Canadian citizens — FAQ
Do Canadian citizens need a visa for Estonia?
No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
How long can Canadian citizens stay in Estonia?
Canadian passport holders can stay in Estonia for up to 90 days per entry under the current visa-free arrangement.
What documents do Canadian citizens need for Estonia?
A valid passport is all Canadian citizens need for a short visa-free visit (up to 90 days). If you apply for a longer-stay visa, Earth Visa lists the full required documents per visa category from the official visa application centre.
Related visa requirements
For Canadian citizens
United Arab Emirates visa
Thailand visa
United States visa
United Kingdom visa
Germany visa
France visa
Italy visa
Spain visa
Estonia visa for India
Estonia visa for China
Estonia visa for Malaysia
Estonia visa for Egypt
Estonia visa for Mexico
Estonia visa for Brazil