Extension of the Estonian residence permit

Many people will face the necessity to extend their residence permit in the coming future. Technically or legally it would mean applying for a new residence permit so there is no separate application for extension. The same conditions would have to be met like in the initial proceedings if you are applying on the same basis of course.

There are some important aspects to be borne in mind when starting to plan the extension.

Firstly, it is recommended to apply at least 2 months before the end of the term of your residence permit as the time of proceedings is 2 months. In reality we recommend taking at least 3 months as the 2 month period can always be prolonged by the Police and Border Guard.

Secondly, the extended period can be up to 10 years.

Thirdly, in the proceedings the Police can also assess if you have been meeting the TRP conditions during the current period - for example if you have been paid the required salary or if your TRP is based on business, then how your business is really doing. They also pay attention to having your residence registered as well as medical insurance. It helps if you can show that you have taken an interest in local life like attended language courses.

If the conditions are not met or have not been met then it could pose a problem. It could also be that there are some important facts that you should have notified the Police about but you have forgotten to do so. It could also be that it is better for you to apply for the new TRP on some other basis.

In some cases it is worth consulting before the extension application to avoid surprises and problems in the proceedings. PS! The document forms have changed in the beginning of 2024 so make sure you download the up to date version.