- Methods for obtaining citizenship
- Citizenship petition
- List of documents for applying for citizenship
Many people are interested in how to obtain Estonian citizenship. This is not so difficult to do, since the government simplified the naturalization procedure at the beginning of 2015. At the same time, any attempts to become a citizen of this country are supported. The right to vote in elections in Estonia is possessed not only by indigenous people, but also by people who have been legally and permanently residing in the territory of the state for more than five years.
Methods for obtaining citizenship
To obtain a passport of this state, you can use several programs.
Birth right. In this case, the mother or father of the unborn child must have Estonian citizenship at the time of birth. This also includes foster children whose parents have been in the country for more than five years.
Through naturalization. It can be used by people over 15 years old and living in Estonia for at least 5 years. These include: refugees who have married a native resident, legally employed people and business immigrants.
Through the option. Since Estonia gained independence in 1991, most of the indigenous population was able to obtain citizenship of this state.
Citizenship petition
Since Russia borders on Estonia, there are more of our compatriots who want to immigrate to this country in 2016. To do this, you need to apply for the right to be an Estonian citizen. Citizens over 15 years of age can apply for this right; people who have a residence permit for a long time or the right to stay in the country for life, people who lived in Estonia before 1990. Also, persons who stay in the country until the moment of filing an application based on a residence permit or a right of residence for more than eight years, five of which must be in the country without leaving, have the right to do so.
The applicant is obliged to stay on the territory of Estonia for at least six months from the date of submission of the application. People who have confirmed knowledge of the national language are also allowed to obtain citizenship. Exemptions from passing the exam are given to citizens whose education has been read in the state language. Those who have passed the exam on full knowledge of civil law and the constitution, persons receiving official income sufficient to support themselves and their loved ones, and applicants who are legally registered in Estonia can also expect to receive citizenship.
People with disabilities have the right not to take exams, as well as those who have a special reason for doing so due to poor health. To apply for Estonian citizenship, you must submit an application and a set of documents to the local government citizenship and migration office. Employees of the institution will help to fill out the questionnaires, the approved forms.
List of documents for applying for citizenship
List of required documents for 2016 to apply for citizenship:
- Statement.
- Passport.
- Biography.
- A diploma of higher education, a book issued at the place of employment with records of all positions previously held by the applicant.
- Certificate of official income.
- Proof of knowledge of the state language or a diploma of education in the national language.
- A court decision on the appointment of a guardian (if the request is from a person with a disability).
- Color photography.
- Receipt of payment of the duty, the amount of which is established by the state.
When the government has made a decision to grant citizenship, the police or border guard department notifies the applicant in writing. Then you can start applying for a passport or ID-card, which grants Estonian citizenship electronically.
She is able to replace any identity documents and even a driver's license. The ID-card allows you to put an electronic signature in the process of concluding contracts. This card makes it possible to open a new company on a special website via the Internet within 20 minutes, as well as pay all existing taxes. To obtain such citizenship, you must submit an application, pay 50 euros, and be fingerprinted.
In 2016, such cards can be obtained at all Estonian embassies in different countries, including Russia and Ukraine. But it is worth noting that dual citizenship is prohibited in most of the states that are members of the European Union and the CIS.
After submitting documents to the required department, within 30 days the person will receive a certificate of the beginning of the consideration of his case. After 6 months, the future citizen needs to confirm his intentions. After that, all documentation is transferred to the government, where the final decision will be made.
This procedure is suitable for those who have relatives living in Estonia or have other reasons to move to this country, since naturalization in other states is a little more difficult.
