Description
All applicants are required to personally submit their Schengen visa application on their scheduled appointment date.
For non-EU citizens who are unsure about the necessity of a Schengen visa for travel to the Schengen Area, please click on “Do I need a visa?” for clarification.
Applicants who plan to visit the Schengen Area for business purposes, such as attending meetings, conducting business deals, recruiting, training, or engaging in other work-related activities, may apply for a Business visa.
To obtain a Business visa, applicants must provide an invitation letter from a business or company based in Estonia. Failure to do so will require the applicant to apply for a Tourist visa instead.
Additionally, individuals attending conferences, congresses, fairs, seminars, or workshops may also apply for a Business visa. This includes employees attending events organized by their own company or a company directly affiliated with their employer.
The employer’s letter must clearly state the purpose of attending the conference, congress, fair, seminar, or workshop. Failure to provide this information will result in the applicant needing to apply for a Tourist visa.
To be eligible for a Schengen visa application, applicants must meet the following criteria:
– Possession of a valid travel document and a valid UK residence permit. If the applicant holds a short stay visa for the UK (C type visa), they must apply for a Schengen visa from their country of residence.
– Applying for a short-term Schengen visa to Estonia for purposes such as tourism (including minors), private visits, business, study/conference/seminar, EEA/EU and Swiss national family members, or other short-stay purposes.
Documents Required
The following list of documents is not exhaustive, and the applicant may be asked to provide additional information or documents if requested by the Mission.
Both the standard and supporting documentation must be recent, meaning they should not be older than one month, and must be provided for every Schengen visa application.
Applicants are required to bring and present their original documents, but they only need to submit photocopies unless the requirements specify that an original document must be submitted.
Documents issued by a foreign country must be translated into Estonian or English and certified with an Apostille or legalized. Documents issued by the UK must be apostilled through the process outlined on the website: https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised.
Before gathering the required documents listed below, applicants are advised to carefully review the requirements under the Overview section to ensure they are eligible to apply for the chosen visa category. Incomplete applications may not be accepted.
The required documents are as follows:
- Valid travel document (Passport) – The passport must have been issued within the previous 10 years, contain at least two blank pages for visas, and be valid for at least 3 months beyond the expiration date of the visa. Please provide both the original passport and a copy.
- Application form – Please note that the Embassy only accepts prefilled online application forms for Schengen visa applications. To apply, please use the ONLINE APPLICATION FORM – C Visa. Once completed, the form must be printed, signed, and submitted along with one recent color passport photograph.
By adhering to these guidelines and providing the necessary documentation, you can ensure a smooth and efficient visa application process.
United Kingdom Residence Permit: It is essential to possess a valid United Kingdom Residence Permit that extends for at least one month beyond the intended departure from the Schengen area. Please ensure to provide both the original document and a copy for submission.
Travel Arrangements: To support your application, it is necessary to provide proof of confirmed travel arrangements, including a ticket to the Schengen area and a departure ticket from the Schengen area either to the United Kingdom or your final destination.
Travel Insurance Policy: A comprehensive travel insurance policy is mandatory for your stay in the Schengen area. The policy must be valid throughout the entire duration of your stay and provide coverage of at least 30,000 EUR. It is crucial to obtain this insurance from an insurance company approved by the Schengen countries. Please provide both the original policy and a copy.
Bank Statement: A bank statement from a United Kingdom bank, covering the last three months, is required. The statement should be in your name and address, providing detailed information and demonstrating a sufficient balance to support your stay in the Schengen area. It should also show that you have the means to return to the United Kingdom or your country of origin, or to transit to a third country where admission is guaranteed. Alternatively, the statement should indicate that you have the lawful ability to acquire such means, in accordance with Article 5(1)(c) and (3) of the Schengen Borders Code.
Please ensure that all the necessary documents are provided in a professional manner, as outlined above, to facilitate the processing of your application.
If the applicant is financially supported by their spouse (for example, if the applicant does not work themselves), please provide a marriage certificate, the spouse’s bank statements, and a copy of their passport.
Please note that cash will not be accepted as proof of sufficient means.
All C-visa applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have 70 EUR per person for each day they plan to spend in the Schengen area.
Proof of employment/proof of student status:
– A recent, official, and signed letter from the employer, including the employer’s name, position, and date of issue, as well as the address, current telephone number, and registration number in the United Kingdom. Additionally, pay slips for the last three months should be provided.
If self-employed:
– A recent letter from an accountant, banker, or solicitor, including their name, date of issue, address, current telephone number, position, and registration number in the United Kingdom. This letter should confirm self-employment or business ownership in the United Kingdom. Additionally, a letter from the tax authorities should be included.
If a student:
– A recent, official, and signed letter from a school, college, or university in the United Kingdom. This letter should state the date of issue, the applicant’s name, the type of studies, the number of lessons (hours) per week, and the attendance record.
Please ensure that all documents are provided in a professional and organized manner.
Proof of Purpose of Travel – Business
To support your application for a business visa, it is essential to provide evidence that clearly demonstrates the purpose of your travel. This can be achieved through various means, such as an invitation from a reputable company or authority, inviting you to attend important meetings, conferences, or events directly related to trade, industry, or work. Additionally, proof of registration for these events can also be submitted.
Furthermore, it is advisable to include any other relevant documents that showcase the existence of trade relations or work-related connections. This could include correspondence, contracts, or agreements with business partners or clients.
In the case of attending fairs and congresses, it is crucial to present entry tickets or registration confirmations as part of your application. These documents serve as tangible proof of your intention to participate in these significant events.
Please take note that if you plan to visit other Schengen countries subsequent to your visit to Estonia, it is imperative to provide a comprehensive travel schedule along with all relevant supporting documents that substantiate your intended travel plans.
For minors (children below 18 years of age), additional requirements must be fulfilled in addition to the aforementioned documents. These include presenting the original and a copy of the birth certificate. Moreover, both parents must be present during the application process, with their original passports. However, if one or both parents are unable to be present, a notarized copy of the passport bio data page can be submitted, unless one parent possesses sole custody or a residence order for the child.
Lastly, proof of consent from the parental authority or legal guardian is mandatory and must be included in the application for minors.
Photo Specification
Please ensure that you include a recent color photograph of yourself, taken within the last six months, adhering to the following specifications:
- Background: The photograph should be taken against a plain light background, preferably white or off-white. This will ensure that your features are clearly distinguishable and stand out against the background.
- Clarity: The photograph must be of high quality, with your face in sharp focus. This will enable us to accurately verify your identity.
- Facial expression: Please maintain a non-smiling expression in the photograph. Additionally, avoid wearing sunglasses, hats, caps, or any head covering, unless it is worn due to religious beliefs or ethnic background.
- Printing: The photograph should be printed on regular photographic paper, as obtained from a camera print. This will ensure that the image is clear and of suitable quality.
- Attachment: Please securely attach (glue) the photograph to the Visa Application Form.
In the event that the submitted photographs fail to meet these requirements, the visa application will be considered incomplete. In such cases, the applicant will be requested to obtain new photographs from the photo booth available at the visa application center.
Processing time
Applicants are welcome to submit their Schengen visa application up to six months prior to their intended travel date to the Schengen Area. It is important to note that the minimum processing time for a visa application is 15 calendar days. Therefore, it is strongly advised that applicants allow ample time between their appointment date and travel date to ensure the Mission has sufficient time to process their visa application. It is important to understand that delays may occur, and as such, no guarantees can be given regarding the return date of the visa application.
Throughout the visa application process, the Mission may request additional information or documents, or even invite applicants for an interview. It is crucial to acknowledge that these requests may cause delays in the visa process, and applicants must accept responsibility for any resulting delays.
For applicants submitting their visa application in our satellite centers, it is important to factor in an additional 2-3 working days to the minimum processing time. This is because the visa application will first be dispatched to the London office, and then forwarded to the Mission in London the following day.
To ensure a smooth and timely visa application process, it is of utmost importance that the application is complete, and all submitted documents meet the Mission’s requirements. Please refer to the “Documents Required” section for the specific visa category to ensure compliance.
Additionally, it is essential to check for any closures or holidays of the Mission, as these may extend the visa application processing time. Please refer to the “Public Holidays/Closures” section for this information.
We highly recommend that all applicants:
– Book their appointment as soon as their travel plans are confirmed.
– Ensure that all documentation in their visa application meets the Mission’s requirements.
– Allow sufficient processing time for the Mission to complete the visa application.
Free Consultation
In order to begin your visa application process, we respectfully request that you complete the enclosed sample form (available in either PDF or Word format) in its entirety. If at any point you are unsure about any of the information required, please leave it blank. Once the form is complete, please submit it to us, along with a copy of your passport and BRP card/UK residency documentation, as well as any past Schengen visas that you may have previously obtained.
Please send the required documents via email to [email protected].
Upon receipt of these documents, we will arrange a free consultation call to further discuss your application and take the necessary next steps. For any additional inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us directly at +442035001580.
We place utmost importance on data privacy and protection, ensuring that all your personal information is handled, stored, and deleted in strict accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) policy. You can have complete peace of mind knowing that your data is safeguarded with the highest level of security measures.