Digital Nomad Visa of Estonia

Digital Nomad visa (or teleworking visa) regulation came into force last year and it is worth revisiting the conditions applicable.

Generally speaking, the digital nomad visa It can be a long-term visa (up to one year, D-type) or short-term (C-type) and the usual visa rules apply, meaning:

1. You need to fill a visa application;

2. Pay the state fee;

3. Have medical insurance;

4. Have sufficient means to support yourself;

5. Proof of residence could be checked;

6. Fingerprints need to be taken/given;

7. You need documents to prove the purpose of the journey (we will touch upon this more later).

A digital nomad is someone who comes to work to Estonia but his or her work is location independent and uses mainly IT means/possibilities to work. The law differentiates 3 options for this:

1. He or she continues to work in a described way for a foreign employer;

2. He or she continues business activities for the benefit of a foreign company in which he or she has a share;

3. He or she offers services mainly to clients that are in foreign countries and with whom he or she has a contractual relationship.

The final point seems to be fitting for Estonian e-residents.

But what documents have to be submitted?

When applying for a visa for the purpose of teleworking, you have to submit additionally:

• documents proving that the applicant’s work does not depend on location and he/she can use telecommunication technology for performing his/her duties as telework

• documents proving that the applicant continues working for an employer registered in a foreign country with whom he/she has a contractual relationship, or business activities for a company registered in a foreign country in which he/she has holdings, or providing 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 before the submission of the application and showing the size, regularity and sources of the income

• description of studies and job history (CV).

When applying for a visa for teleworking, the following proof of the facts regarding teleworking shall be submitted:

• a written explanation by the applicant regarding the intention to use the visa for teleworking

• a written confirmation by the employer stating that it is possible for the applicant to perform their work duties in the form of teleworking

• an employment contract or another contract under the law of obligations

• a certificate issued by a competent authority of the applicant’s country of location in proof of the payment of state taxes, local taxes or social security contributions mandatory in the applicant’s country of location

• a certificate issued by a competent authority of the company’s country of registered office, indicating the name, registered office and area of activity of the company, the applicant’s holdings in the company and details of the legal representatives of the company

• a certificate issued by a competent authority of the company’s country of registered office in proof of the payment of state taxes, local taxes or social security contributions mandatory in the company’s country of registered office and on the absence of tax arrears.

• any other documents.