Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Estonia

Estonia
Republic of Estonia

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 60 Months
A-2 None Multiple 60 Months
A-3 1 None Multiple 24 Months
B-1 None Multiple 120 Months
B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
C-1 None Multiple 60 Months
C-1/D None Multiple 60 Months
C-2 None Multiple 60 Months
C-3 None Multiple 60 Months
CW-1 11 None Multiple 12 Months
CW-2 11 None Multiple 12 Months
D None Multiple 60 Months
E-1 2 None Multiple 60 Months
E-2 2 None Multiple 60 Months
E-2C 12 None Multiple 24 Months
F-1 None Multiple 60 Months
F-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-1 None Multiple 60 Months
G-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-3 None Multiple 60 Months
G-4 None Multiple 60 Months
G-5 1 None Multiple 24 Months
H-1B None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-1C None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2A None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2B None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2R None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
I None Multiple 60 Months
J-1 4 None Multiple 60 Months
J-2 4 None Multiple 60 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 None Multiple 60 Months
L-2 None Multiple 60 Months
M-1 None Multiple 60 Months
M-2 None Multiple 60 Months
N-8 None Multiple 60 Months
N-9 None Multiple 60 Months
NATO 1-6 10 None Multiple 60 Months
NATO-7 1 None Multiple 24 Months
O-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
Q-1 6 None Multiple 15 Months 3
R-1 None Multiple 60 Months
R-2 None Multiple 60 Months
S-5 7 None One 1 Month
S-6 7 None One 1 Month
S-7 7 None One 1 Month
T-1 9 N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
TD 5 N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None Multiple 48 Months
U-2 None Multiple 48 Months
U-3 None Multiple 48 Months
U-4 None Multiple 48 Months
U-5 None Multiple 48 Months
V-1 None Multiple 120 Months
V-2 None Multiple 120 Months 8
V-3 None Multiple 120 Months 8

Country Specific Footnotes

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

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Visa Category Footnotes

  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

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General Documents

Estonian birth, marriage, and death records are all managed through their e-governance system. Requests for an official copy of a civil document will result in a printout titled "extract" on plain computer paper. This is the only type of official vital record currently available in Estonia. The official record is available in Estonian, English, German, or French. Certificates of birth and marriage were available prior to July 3, 2010.

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth Certificates

Available

Fees: No fees for first time issuance but there is a fee of 10 euros for additional paper copies or 5 euros for electronic statement

Document Name: Sünnitunnistus

 Issuing Authority: Office of Vital Records

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Wet seal on a white A4 paper

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Vital Statistics Official

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: The parents must present personal identification as well as the birth certification they received from the hospital.

Certified Copies Available: Extract of the document

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: Births must be registered with the Office of Vital Records within one month.

If the parents of the child are not married but the father formally recognizes the child, the child will bear the father's surname. If the mother is unmarried and no father recognizes the child, the birth certificate is filled in according to the information provided by the mother, and the child bears her surname.

 

Death/Burial Certificates

Available

Fees: No fees for first time issuance but there is a fee of 10 euros for additional paper copies or 5 euros for electronic statement

Document Name: Surmatunnistus

Issuing Authority: Office of Vital Records

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Wet seal on a white A4 paper

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Vital Statistics Official

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Either to go to Vital Statistics Office or apply online through Eesti.ee

Certified Copies Available: Extract of the document

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments:  None

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage Certificates

Available

Fees: No fees for first time issuance but there is a fee of 10 euros for additional paper copies or 5 euros for electronic statement

Document Name: Abielutunnistus

Issuing Authority: Office of vital records

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Wet seal on a white A4 paper

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Vital Statistics Official

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Going to the office of Vital Records Perekonnaseisuamet, Parnu Mnt 67, EE0100, Tallinn, Eesti) the request must specify the date of the event and the names of the persons involved.

Certified Copies Available: Extract of the document

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: Americans who wish to marry in Estonia must present documentary evidence that they are legally free to marry. All foreign documents should be translated into Estonian and authenticated by Estonian authorities. Although no blood tests are currently required, there is a waiting period of approximately one-month.  Same-sex marriage is not recognized in Estonia.

 

Divorce Certificates

Available

Fees: No fees for first time issuance but there is a fee of 10 euros for additional paper copies or 5 euros for electronic statement

Document Name: Abielulahutuse tõend

Issuing Authority: Office of Vital Records

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Wet seal on a white A4 paper

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Vital Statistics Official

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

 Procedure for Obtaining: Writing to the office of Vital Records Perekonnaseisuamet, Parnu Mnt 67, EE0100, Tallinn, Eesti) the request must specify the date of the event and the names of the persons involved.

Certified Copies Available: Extract of the document

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: Only residents of Estonia can apply for a divorce in Estonia. Couples without children or joint property may obtain a divorce through the Office of Vital Statistics after a three-month waiting period. In all other cases, a divorce must be obtained in an Estonian court.

 

Adoption Certificates

Available: Only to the adoptive child and his/her adoptive parents.

Fees: No fees for first time issuance but there is a fee of 10 euros for additional paper copies or 5 euros for electronic statement

Document Name: Lapsendamise tõend

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Social Welfare

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Wet seal on a white A4 paper

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: A written request should be submitted to the Ministry of Social Welfare, Room 217, Gonsiori 29, EE0104 Tallinn, Eesti.

Certified Copies Available: Extract of the document

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: If the adoptive parents so desire, the Office of Vital Records will issue a new birth certificate for the adopted child that shows them as the parents, and does not indicate the child was adopted. The place of the child's birth can even be changed to match that of the adoptive parents. In such a case, the new birth certificate will not be annotated "correction" (korduv).

Identity Card

Available

Fees:  Persons under 15 years pay 7 euros, over 15 years pay 25 euros and if a person wants to get ID-card in expedited order, the fee is 45 euros.

Document Name: ID-kaart

Issuing Authority: Police and Border Card

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A4 Light blue/white secure card with a photo

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: PPA

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Either online or at Police and Border Guard Offices

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

 

Police, Court, Prison Records

Police Records

Available

Fees:  Once a year it is free of charge and then it costs about 4 euros

Document Name: Karistusregistri teade

Issuing Authority: Estonian Punishment Register (Karistusregister) 

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: An official record contains a wet seal and indicates if the individual has been registered in the criminal records of the Estonian State Police Board.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrite ja Infosüsteemide Keskus

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Persons residing outside of Estonia may request a record by mail or email. Mailing address is: Punishment Register, Lõkke 4, Tallinn, Estonia. Residents of Estonia can do it electronically by signing in to Eesti.ee

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: A clean certificate does not necessarily mean that an individual has never been arrested; records of all but the most serious offenses are routinely expunged after several years. For U.S. visa purposes, applicants should obtain Karistusregistri tõend with archived information (i.e., it must say ‘yes’ or ‘jah’ to including archived information).

 

Court Records

Available

Fees:  There is a fee of 0,3 euros per page

Document Name: Kohtuotsus

Issuing Authority: The appropriate Court, either County Court or Supreme Court a.s.o

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Wet seal on a white A4 paper

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Court Registration Office

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Contact the Court where the decision was made

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

 

Prison Records

Unavailable

Military Records

Available

Fees: There are no fees

Document Name: Tõend Sojavaeteenistuse Kohta

Issuing Authority: Defence Resources Agency

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Either electronically through Eesti.ee or by mail:

A.H.Tammsaare tee 118c,
12918 Tallinn

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Passports & Other Travel Documents

Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.): Estonian passport (Euroopa Liit Eesti Pass), Estonian diplomatic passport (Euroopa Liit Eesti Diplomaatiline Pass), Alien's passport (Välismaalase Pass), Refugee travel document (Reisidokument 28 juuli 1951. a konventsioon)

Fees: There are fees

Document Name: Euroopa Liit Eesti Pass, Euroopa Liit Eesti Diplomaatiline Pass, Välismaalase Pass, Reisidokument 28 juuli 1951. a konventsioon

Issuing Government Authority: PPA

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:

  1. Estonian passport (Euroopa Liit Eesti Pass): issued to Estonian citizens. Estonian passports are dark-red with gold lettering. Some older non-electronic versions (without embedded computer chip), which are dark-blue or dark-red, remain in circulation.
  2. Estonian diplomatic passport (Euroopa Liit Eesti Diplomaatiline Pass): issued to Estonian diplomats. These are black with gold lettering.
  3. Alien's passport (Välismaalase Pass): issued to stateless Estonian residents. These passports are gray. Some older non-electronic (without embedded computer chip) versions remain in circulation.
  4. Refugee travel document (Reisidokument 28 juuli 1951. a konventsioon): issued to alien refugees who have been granted asylum in Estonia. These documents are dark-green and have two gold stripes in the upper left-hand corner.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Either applying online or going to PPA Offices

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Other Documents Available: Temporary travel document (Ajutine Reisidokument): issued to aliens legally residing in Estonia who do not hold a valid travel document or have the right to receive an alien's passport. These documents are light-green and are issued for one-time travel. The travel document will be endorsed for either for a single departure and return to Estonia or for one-way travel without the right of return to Estonia.

Other Records

Baptismal Records: Sporadically available. Baptismal records may be obtained from the church in which the baptism occurred.

Change of Name Certificates: The Office of Vital Statistics (Perekonnaseisuamet) issues the Certificate of Change of Name (Nime Muutmise Tunnistus) in the district where one is registered to reside. One must have a good reason to change one's name (e.g. because the name sounds foreign or asinine in Estonian).

Visa Issuing Posts

Post Title: Embassy

Address: U.S. Embassy in Tallinn
Kentmanni 20

Tel: (372) 668-8100

Fax: (372) 668-8267

Comments / Additional Information: None

Visa Services

All visa categories for all of Estonia.

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.