9 minute read
3. International protection in Estonia and travelling
The Police and Border Guard Board processes applications for international protection and residence permits. In Estonia asylum cases are processed in lines with the 1951 Geneva convention and its Protocols and respective EU directives and Estonian national legislation.
Advertisement
When you receive international protection in Estonia, you can receive one of the two temporary residence permits issued by Estonia: • If you have refugee status - you have a reasonable fear of persecution on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, membership in a social group or political inclination.
You can get a residence permit for three years. It is granted to you on the grounds of Act of Granting International Protection to Aliens.
If you need to extend your residence permit, it will be extended for three years. • If you have subsidiary protection - you don't qualify for refugee status, but there's reason to believe if you returned to your country of origin, you might be in a great danger.
You can get a residence permit for one year.
If you need to extend your residence permit, it will be extended for two years.
i
After receiving international protection, applying for your temporary residence permit card will be one of the first steps you will make to start your life in Estonia. You must apply for it at the nearest Police and Border Guard Board office. It will be issued to you without charge. Application form for residence permits and their extensions can be found on politsei.ee. Read carefully what documents are needed to submit an application in addition to the filled-in application form. Residence permit, regardless of its length, gives you many rights in Estonia. For example, the residence permit on the grounds of international protection automatically gives you the right to work in Estonia. You do not need to apply
separately for a work permit. Also, you can have support services specific to the international protection. At the same time, it will bring you certain responsibilities/obligations. See more information in chapter 4. Along with the residence permit you will be issued an identification code (IDcode), which is required for official actions in Estonia.
Residence permit card is not a travel document, but it is a mandatory personal identification document you must have with you all the time in Estonia and when travelling abroad with your travel document.
As a temporary resident you have the possibility to undertake a pathway to obtaining long term residence permit or even become an Estonian citizen. It requires certain effort from you and some patience, but it’s not impossible.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT
• You are granted international protection for 1 year - subsidiary protection • You are granted international protection for 3 years - refugee status • You need to renew your residence permit 4 months before the expiry at the Police and Border Guard Board. • Your residence permit is not extended if you do not need international protection anymore, you have violated public order or societal safety, you have been identiifed as national security threat
• You have lived in Estonia for five years based on temporary residence permit • You hold a valid temporary residence permit • Your place of residence is registered in the Estonian Population
Registry • You have permanent legal income that enables you to meet living expenses in Estonia • You have health insurance provided by the Estonian Health
Insurance Fund • You have met the integration requirement and have knowledge of
Estonian at least at the B1 level • You need to submit application for the long-term residence permit at least 2 months before the expiry date of your temporary residence permit. • You must submit the application in Estonian language • Your long-term residence permit doesn't have an expiry date and you don't need to apply for periodic extensions. • It's basis for applying for citizenship.
LONG TERM RESIDENCE PERMIT
CITIZENSHIP
• You can apply for Estonian citizenship if... • You are at least 15 years old • You have lived in Estonia for at least eight years on the basis of a residence permit or permanent residency • You hold a valid long-term residence permit or the right to permanent residence • You have lived in Estonia from the date following the submission of application for Estonian citizenship on the basis of residence permit or permanent residency for six months • You have registered a place of residence in Estonia • You have passed the Estonian language profiency examination and the examination of knowledge of the Constitution of the Republic of
Estonia and the Citizenship Act • You have permanent legal income • You are loyal to the Estonian state • Innove organizes examination for citizenship and also has preparatory courses available. More information: www.innove.ee or www.integratsioon.ee • NB! Keep in mind that dual citizenship is generally not permitted by law.
case you cannot meet the requirements for long term residence permit you can always extend your temporary residence permits. However, long-term residence permit is strongly advised as this gives you more safeguards for your permanent stay in Estonia.
Refugee status
Subsidiary protection First residence permit TRP extensions Longtime residence permit Citizenship
Years 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
3.2. RESIDENCE PERMITS AND CITIZENSHIP FOR CHILDREN
As people under 18 years old don’t have full active legal capacity in Estonia, in most cases they need to be accompanied by their parents or have their permission when they wish to apply for Estonian documents. Temporary residence permit application for children under 18 years of age or those under guardianship may be submitted by his/her legal representative (for example, a parent, guardian, or the valid legal representative of the holder of the guardianship). Long-time residence permit application on behalf of a minor younger than 15 years of age or a person under guardianship shall be submitted by his/her legal representative (for example, parent, guardian, authorized representative of a guardianship authority).
i
You can apply for the long-term residence permit for a minor younger than 15 years of age, if: • One parent is Estonian citizen or • One parent holds long-term residence permit or • You all meet the criteria to apply for long-term residence permit
A child under 15 years can apply for Estonian citizenship by their parents who have acquired the Estonian citizenship after the birth of child, or by one parent who has acquired the Estonian citizenship after the birth of the child with the consent of the parent who is not an Estonian citizen, or the minor’s guardian who is an Estonian citizen. Please see chapter 4.4 for family members who have not travelled with you but you wish to apply for family reunification in Estonia.
A valid travel document is mandatory if you travel outside of Estonia: to a Schengen state, one of the member states of the European Union, or any state beyond. Always check the immigration rules and the documents recognized in the destination country.
If you are planning to leave Estonia for a longer time, inform the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board about it. It is important to register your long absence from Estonia to avoid any cancellation of your residence permit. Please note that if you plan to travel to your country of origin, your continuous need for international protection is questionable, thus your residence permit that is based on the international protection might be cancelled.
If you do not have a valid travel document (such as a passport issued by the state you are a citizen of), you may apply for a travel document from the Police and Border Guard Board.
If you stay away from Estonia for a longer period, you must follow the laws and migration regulation of that state, and, if necessary, apply for a residence and/or work permit from that state.
POSSIBLE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Passport issued by the state you are a citizen of
Refugee travel document Alien's passport
Certain state fees might apply for applying travel documents. See more information on www.politsei.ee.
• You can apply for the refugee travel document at the nearest
Police and Border Guard office if you have been granted refugee status in Estonia.
• The travel doucment will be issued to you in person within 30 days of submission of the application in the office of Police and Border Guard Board marked on your application form. • Upon receipt of the travel document present the previous valid Refugee travel document, if you have one. The official will also compare your fingerprints with those you submitted previously. • You can apply for an alien's passport if you have been granted subsidiary protection. • You may apply for an alien's passport at the nearest office of the Police and Border Guard
Board.
• The alien's passport will be issued to you in person within 30 days of submission of the application. Upon receipt of the alien's passport at the PPA office, you must present the previously issued alien's passport, if you have it. The official will compare your fingerprints with those taken previously.
Please be aware that if you are planning to travel outside the EU, some countries might request a visa. For correct information contact the Embassy of the country you are planning to travel to.
If a child (under 18) is travelling with one parent only, the other parent must provide a written consent for such travel. The consent should be taken along for the travel so it can be presented if asked at border crossing. Note that some countries might also request a document drawn up by a notary.
3.4. CONTACT INFORMATION
You can find additional information about documents and applying for them on the webpage of the Police and Border Guard Board. Also don’t hesitate to contact them if you have some questions you can’t find answer to.
i
Police and Border Guard Board:
• Locally: The nearest service point to your home • Web: www.politsei.ee • E-mail: info@politsei.ee • Phone: Client information number: 612 3000 (every day from 8-19 in Estonian, Russian and English)
In order to submit the application in the Service Point you need to make a reservation via broneering.politsei.ee
If you have any questions, you can always contact the Estonian Police and Border Guard, either the international protection advisors or migration advisors.
i
Write to international protection advisors:
asylum.counsel@counsel.ee
Or contact the migration advisors:
Phone: 612 3500 (Monday-Friday 9.00-15.00) E-mail: migrationadvice@politsei.ee Skype: EstonianPolice_MigrationAdvice If you need more clarity and/or support in filling in applications for extending your residence permits or you have any other questions about your residence permit, you can also consult with Estonian Human Rights Centre: Web: www.humanrights.ee E-mail: info@humanrights.ee Phone: +372 644 5148
USEFUL VOCABULARY
i
Politsei- ja Piirivalveamet (PPA) Police and Border Guard Board Rahvusvaheline kaitse International protection Pagulane Refugee Täiendav kaitse Subsidiary protection Tähtajaline elamisluba Temporary residence permit Pikaajaline elamisluba Long-term residence permit Reisidokument Travel document Isikukood ID-code / personal code Taotlus Application Kodakondsus Citizenship Broneering Reservation
