Do you have a desire to visit Estonia or have you been invited over by a friend, family or colleague? Take advantage of this opportunity to learn how to apply for Estonia visitor visa, and then travel to Europe.
Estonia is a great tourist destination. Its capital, Tallinn, is regarded as the best preserved feudal city in the Northern part of Europe. When you visit Estonia, you would behold a delicate blend of medieval and contemporary architectures and landscapes. Are you a thrill seeker? Then brace yourself for a great outdoors and healthy nightlife experiences that await you in Estonia.
Allow this visa application article guide you towards fulfilling your dreams of visiting Estonia. Please read on.
What is Estonia visitor visa?
Estonia visitor visa falls under category “C” of the Uniform Schengen Visa or USV. It is also known as short-term visa or Estonia Schengen visa. This visa allows the bearer to stay in Estonia (a Schengen country) for a fixed period for the purpose of visitation/tourism. The following are the three forms of this category of visa:
Single-entry
This allows the bearer to enter Estonia just once for a fixed period. If you leave Estonia, the validity of the single-entry visa expires regardless of whether the permitted period has elapsed or not.
Double-entry
This allows the bearer to enter and exit Estonia not more than two times within the specified period. As soon as you leave Estonia for the second time, your double-entry visa expires and you would need another visa when visiting the country.
Multiple-entry
This allows the bearer to enter and exit Estonia at will but only for a period of 90 days within six months. The countdown begins from the day you cross the Nigerian border into Estonia with the multiple-entry visa.
Once you secure this visa, you have the freedom to access the rest of the countries that make up the Schengen region. Some of these countries are Austria, France, Germany, Netherlands and Italy.
Who Can Apply for Estonia Visitor Visa in Nigeria?
Estonia visitor visa is suited for Nigerians who wish to travel to the aforementioned country for the purpose of tourism/visitation. You can also apply for this visa in Nigeria if you are a foreigner who resides permanently and legally in the country.
Only citizens of the Schengen zone member countries are permitted to travel to any country (including Estonia) within the Schengen zone without a visa. As Nigeria is not part of the Schengen zone member countries, you need a Schengen visa to travel to Estonia.
Before applying for visa, it is pertinent that you are a law-abiding citizen or national of Nigeria. You should have a good financial solvency or have a sponsor who would pay for your travel expenses and upkeep in Estonia. However, sponsorship is most befitting for travelers who are yet to be adults.
While invitation from friends, family members, colleagues, or organizations in Estonia may boost your chances of securing the visa, it is not necessary. So long as you have the desire to visit on tourism, you have the right to apply for a visa. In a case where your motive is to study in an educational institute in Estonia, you are eligible to apply for the visit visa. This is true if your course of study would not last beyond a 90-day period.
If you have other purposes for visiting Estonia aside the ones discussed above, kindly apply for other Estonian visas. You may read our guides on how to apply for these visas in Nigeria.
However, it is imperative that you take the following the steps when applying for Estonia visitor visa in Nigeria. But before then, consider the required documents for your application.
What are the Required Documents to Apply for Estonia Visitor Visa in Nigeria?
All documents required for processing Estonia visitor visa is a reflection of the purpose of the application. Take out ample time to sort out these documents and make sure they are complete before you apply for visa. The following are the required documents for Estonia visitor visa:
1- An international passport with at least 3 months validity and at least two blank pages. You can submit an old passport (bearing visa stamps and/or border passes indicating previous travels) with your application, if you have one. Individuals considered as minors must have their application form filled by their parents with 2 passport photographs of both parents attached.
2- A properly filled online application form. The Belgian embassy attends to Estonia visa application in Nigeria. Therefore, the online form bears the emblem of the embassy of Belgium. Take your time to fill this form duly as an incomplete form may be rejected at the point of submission.
3- An invitation letter having the address and phone number of the individual(s) who is inviting you to Estonia. Plus a letter endorsed by local town hall or approved governmental body. Again, this is not a mandatory document.
4- Two passport photographs taken according to the visa application photo requirements. Applicants are required to submit a 35 mm x 45 mm passport photograph with a bright background.
5- A cover letter (from the application) detailing the purpose of traveling to Estonia, your entire travel plans and listing all the documents that are being submitted to the embassy. This letter should be addressed to the embassy.
6- An authentic flight ticket reservation showing departure and return date, and flight number. Please be advised: do not purchase a flight ticket before your visa application is complete. If in the event that your visa application is denied, you would most likely lose all your money. A lot of airlines run a non-refundable policy, while a few others might refund just a part of the total sum. To prevent this from happening, click HERE to order for an authentic flight reservation from us at NaijaGoingAbroad.
7- Hotel bookings or any other valid proof of accommodation. You can now get an affordable and verifiable hotel reservation HERE.
8- An authentic Schengen medical insurance cover valued at €30,000. Starting from only NGN 3,250; click HERE to get your insurance.
9- A valid proof of sustenance: this is a bank account statement showing transactions for the past six months. This is to show that you can take care of yourself financially when you are in Estonia. In the event that you are being sponsored, you must use the bank statements of your sponsors in your application.
10- If you are employed, you would need to present your payment slips for the past 4 to 6 months and leave permission letter from your employer. You may also include your Tax Identification Number (TIN).
11- If you are self-employed, you must present a copy of your company’s registration certificate, bank statement of your business/company, and TIN.
12- Pension statement (if retired).
13- Proof of social ties: this includes birth certificate of children and marriage certificate. If you are single and without children, you do not have to provide these documents.
How to apply for Estonia Visitor Visa in Nigeria: Step by Step
How to Apply for Estonia Visitor Visa in Nigeria
Applying for an Estonia visit visa is not as complex or difficult compared to visa for some other countries. However, you must make sure you follow this guide meticulously in order for you to experience a hitch-free application process:
1- Gather all documents
Organize all the documents required for the application process. Ensure that you do not omit any one of them. Make sure you have the list above with you while you put the documents together. Use it as a checklist to account for all documents.
You may get yourself invited over to Estonia by a friend, family member or colleague. You could also get an invitation from an organization you belong to. But this is not mandatory.
2- Submit all documents at VFS
Although the Belgium embassy oversees the Estonia visitor visa application in Nigeria, the embassy is in partnership with a third party agency. This agency is the popular VFS Global limited. VFS owns and maintains visa collection centres in Lagos and Abuja.
Once you are set for application submission, you can visit:
– 38, Lobito Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja; or
– Plot 110, Admiral Ayinla Way, opposite Treasure Garden Estate, Third Roundabout, Lekki Phase I, Lagos.
Be sure to make preparations for visa fee payment at the point of submission. Also, safely store all payment receipts received. Find out your Estonia visa fee before visiting VFS for your submission.
3- Track Visa Application Online
Supervise your visa application using VFS system. This platform helps you know the status of your application and see if passport is ready for collection. Click HERE to go to VFS visa application tracking system.
4- Collect your Passport
Retrieve your passport from the embassy through VFS. For Estonia visitor visa, the embassy usually takes about 15 working days to make a decision on your application. VFS offices are opened for business between 10 am – 4 pm from Mondays through Fridays. Be sure you have your payment receipts with you when you visit their office to collect your passport.
How to Book Interview Appointment for Estonia visitor visa in Nigeria
When applying for Estonian visa, you do not have to book an appointment. VFS Global Limited, the owner of Estonia visa application centres, runs an open door policy. When you are ready to submit your application, walk into VFS Lagos or Abuja office during the weekdays to submit.
On your submission date, you must take with you all the original copies of the required documents. The agency will give back original copies of vital documents such as birth and marriage certificates. But, it is compulsory that the attendant sees original copies of documents before they collect their photocopies.
All applicants must appear in person during application submission. This is because applicants would give their biometric details as well. When visiting the application centre, you must go alone. Any person or group of persons accompanying you will not be allowed in or into the waiting room.
However, the only situations where a company is allowed into the application centre are as follows:
– If you are a parent accompanying an individual (son or daughter) who is 17 years old or younger.
– If you are an adult applicant with disabilities or special medical needs.
– You are an aged applicant above 80 years old and need ambulatory (and other) assistance from a spouse, sibling or adult offspring.
In all of these cases, only one person is allowed to accompany the visa applicant. If you are applying as a group such as a family or small organization, each individual must submit their application separately.
Kindly contact VFS Global Limited to confirm that you may accompany your old family relative or underage applicant when applying for visa. Click HERE to contact VFS.
Frequently Asked Questions on How to Apply for Estonia Visitor Visa in Nigeria
How much will Estonia visa cost?
The regular fee for a Schengen short-stay visa with less than 90 days is €60 for adults and €35 for kids between the ages of 6 and 12. However, you might incur additional costs if you have your visa delivered to you through courier services.
Click HERE to use the free online visa fee calculator to discover your visa fee. It works for Estonia and other countries of the world.
How can I get the Estonia visa application form?
Starting from 2016, applicants are mandated to fill an online application form when applying for Estonia visitor or short-stay visa. To start filling this form, please click HERE.
How long will it take for me to get my visa?
The average processing period for Estonia visitor visa is 15 working days or four weeks. However, this is dependent on how busy the consulate is and if they run into any hitches in the course of processing your application.
Will the Schengen visa be granted for a period of 90 days?
No, Estonia visitor visa is not granted for that period of time. You will only get the time-frame that you presented in your travel plans.
Conclusion
Every visa application takes time and effort. So before you begin the process ensure to clear up your schedule or organize it to fit your application routines. When applying for a visa you must be thorough and double check that you have all that is required for the process to be completed. Keep original copies of all receipts and slips safe and ready to present them when asked.
Again, go through this ‘how to apply for Estonia visitor visa’ guide if you think you missed anything, and contact us if you have further questions.
If you have not taken our free visa eligibility test, we advise you take the test now in order to properly plan your application.
