Student tools

Document checklist

Pick your country, get the documents the authority asks for, and tick them off as you collect them.

Destination country

Study level

Someone is sponsoring meI have a scholarshipI am bringing family

The official pages list documents per country, not per study level, so your level is kept on the printout and the link but does not change the list.

Document checklist for Estonia (Master)

0/8mandatory documents ready0%

You will need these 8

Every application needs these. A missing one is the commonest reason an application is returned.

Eligibility: admission and study over 1 yearGeneral (national) Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) source. Non-EU/EEA applicant, study period over 1 year, no other Estonian permit; school confirms admission (invitation from the educational institution is usually sent to PPA by the university). Page has no date.
Source https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/residence-permit-for-study
Sufficient legal incomeGeneral (national) Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) source. Four times the subsistence level, confirmed by signing the application; Student guide (13 May 2025) gives 800 euros per month per applicant. Documents proving legal income for the six months before application are on the general PPA list; guide says extra proof is not required at submission but may be requested.
Source https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/applying-for-a-residence-permit/applying-for-a-residence-permit
Health insurance contractGeneral (national) Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) source. Required, confirmed by signing the application; permit insurance differs from the visa insurance.
Source https://politsei.ee/files/2025-05/student-guide.pdf
Application formsGeneral (national) Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) source. Application for temporary residence permit, data on close relatives and family members, biographical data, additional form; completed in block letters.
Source https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/applying-for-a-residence-permit/applying-for-a-residence-permit
Identity documentGeneral (national) Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) source. Passport (identity document); photo taken in the PPA photo booth with fingerprints at the service office per guide.
Source https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/applying-for-a-residence-permit/applying-for-a-residence-permit
Digital photoGeneral (national) Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) source. Digital photo per PPA photo requirements; guide says photo and fingerprints are taken at the service office photo booth free of charge.
Source https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/applying-for-a-residence-permit/applying-for-a-residence-permit
Criminal record certificateGeneral (national) Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) source. From every foreign country where the applicant lived at least 3 consecutive months in the past 3 years; applicants 14+; issued within 6 months before the application date (6 months before arrival if submitted in Estonia). Page does not mention apostille/legalisation or translation.
Source https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/applying-for-a-residence-permit/applying-for-a-residence-permit
State feeGeneral (national) Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) source. Student guide: 225 euros for the residence permit, payable at the service office by cash or card; the general PPA list requires proof of payment.
Source https://politsei.ee/files/2025-05/student-guide.pdf

If it applies to you 7

Required only in certain cases, such as a sponsor, a study gap, a dependant or a particular course.

D visa: application and photoGeneral (national) Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) source. Bangladesh-specific route: students whose studies last under 1 year, or needing entry first, apply for a long-stay D visa. Estonia is represented by Germany in Dhaka for Schengen (short-stay) visas only; for long-stay visas, contact the nearest Estonian foreign mission. D visa needs signed form, one colour 35x45 mm photo (ICAO, under 6 months), data on close relatives, biographical data, additional application form 1.
Source https://vm.ee/en/consular-visa-and-travel-information/visa-information/countries-where-estonia-represented-another
D visa: passportGeneral (national) Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) source. Issued within previous 10 years, at least two blank visa pages, valid at least 3 months after visa expiry.
Source https://vm.ee/en/consular-visa-and-travel-information/visa-information/application-long-stay-d-visa
D visa: travel medical insuranceGeneral (national) Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) source. Covers treatment costs for the whole visa validity (or until Tervisekassa cover starts).
Source https://vm.ee/en/consular-visa-and-travel-information/visa-information/application-long-stay-d-visa
D visa: proof of fundsGeneral (national) Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) source. Income evidence for the 3 months before application. Students: 880 euros per month applicant, 2100 euros per month spouse.
Source https://vm.ee/en/consular-visa-and-travel-information/visa-information/application-long-stay-d-visa
D visa: purpose of stay and ticketGeneral (national) Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) source. Acceptance/enrolment confirmation (non-exhaustive list on vm.ee) and travel ticket booking confirmation or proof of other transport.
Source https://vm.ee/en/consular-visa-and-travel-information/visa-information/application-long-stay-d-visa
D visa: legalisation and translationGeneral (national) Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) source. All foreign public documents must be legalised or apostilled and translated into Estonian or English (D visa rule, Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
Source https://vm.ee/en/consular-visa-and-travel-information/visa-information/application-long-stay-d-visa
D visa: biometrics and feeGeneral (national) Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) source. 10 fingerprints collected at submission; visa fee EUR 120 (EUR 60 for ages 6-11).
Source https://vm.ee/en/consular-visa-and-travel-information/visa-information/application-long-stay-d-visa

Book a free consultation to review my documents