Estonia changing procedure for applying for visas, residence permits for Russian citizens

The Estonian government approved on Thursday a sanction restricting Russian citizens’ opportunities to apply for a temporary residence permit or visa for the purpose of studying in Estonia.

In addition, the sanction has been specified to only enable the registration of Russian and Belarusian nationals’ short-term employment in Estonia if they have a valid visa issued by Estonia, spokespeople for the government said.

Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu highlighted that Russia’s unjustifiable war against Ukraine whereby Russia is grossly violating the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine also negatively impacts the security of Estonia and the European Union.

“Continued sanctions against Russia are crucial for putting incessant pressure on Russia. If the sanctions help end Russia’s aggression, it will have a positive impact on our security, too,” he said.

The amendment to the sanction specifies that the short-term employment of a Russian or Belarusian citizen whose basis for staying in Estonia has been granted by another member state will no longer be registered and, thus, they are no longer able to apply for a long-term visa for the purpose of short-term employment.

“This amendment will end the situation where, in order to circumvent a valid sanction, people apply for a short-term Schengen visa for example for the purpose of tourism from another member state,” Reinsalu said.