All about the working holiday in Estonia!
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation…).
Between 18 and 30 or 35 years old
A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday
Enough to support yourself
This must be your first participation
All applicants must have health insurance
Must be a citizen of a partner country
01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?
WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.
02. Which nationalities are eligible?
Young adults from the following countries can apply for the working holiday in Estonia:
Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand.
03. What is the application fee?
The application fee is €100 for applicants in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
04. What documents are required for the application?
Standard items include:
- Completed application form
- Passport
- ID photo
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of sufficient funds
VFS Global lists out the requirements in detail (more information in the last FAQ about how to apply).
05. How long is the visa good for?
The WHV allows its holder to stay up to one year in Estonia.
06. How long is the processing time?
According the VFS Global (which handles applications in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand), most applications are processed within 15 calendar days.
07. Do I need to buy health insurance?
Yes. Estonia's official agreements with Canada and New Zealand stipulate that participants must have insurance that covers medical expenses, hospitalisation, and repatriation.
The agreement with Australia does not mention health insurance, although it is mentioned on the website of VFS Global Australia, which processes applications for Estonian visas.
08. Can I leave and re-enter at any time?
Yes, you will be issued a multiple entry long stay visa (source).
09. Are there any work restrictions?
Australian Working Holiday Makers must not be employed by any one employer for more than three (3) months without registration with the Citizenship and Migration Board (source)
These restrictions do not apply to Canadians and New Zealanders.
10. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?
We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday in Estonia and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.
We don't ask for any money, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.
11. Where can I apply?
1. Start your application for a long stay D visa here.
2. Make an appointment at a VFS Global centre* to submit your application.
- Canadians (Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto)
- Australians (Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney)
- New Zealanders (Auckland only)
3. Gather your supporting documents before your appointment.
*Japanese applicants must instead make an appointment at the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Tokyo. Follow these steps.
As mentioned earlier, all working holiday makers must buy private health insurance for the duration of their WHV. It is best to choose one that covers at least medical, hospitalisation, and repatriation.
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.
- Chapter 5: Getting WHV health insurance
- Everything You Need to Know About Insurance for Working Holiday and Other Adventures Abroad
- What to have in your Working Holiday adventure first-aid kit
Estonia’s currency is the euro (€). There are two main ways to open a foreign-currency account: via 1) a traditional bank or 2) an online neo-bank. Traditional banks usually require you to already be in the country. You would have to make and attend an appointment where a representative would ask you for some documents.
If you want to have a euro debit card in hand before even arriving in Estonia, you may want to consider the second option, an online neo-bank like Wise. It is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs. Your euro account would also have its own routing and account numbers, so you can set up autopay, direct deposits, or transfer money to recipients in Estonia. These capabilities could be useful in exchanges with your employer or landlord. You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Estonia. Learn more about Wise.
There are advantages to both options. Wise registration is simple and quick, but traditional banks offer the possibility of issuing and depositing cheques, if that is something you need. So you could make a Wise account first and then a traditional account once you arrive in Estonia.
Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Estonia before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.
For your first couple of weeks, you could consider Airbnb or hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.
- Chapter 6: Booking housing for your arrival
- 7 Tips for finding housing during your working holiday abroad
- Couchsurfing Abroad
After you get your visa, you will have plenty of things to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, starting with the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot, but don’t worry, one step at a time!
As you prepare for your working holiday in Estonia, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, and so everything we write is from personal experience.
This is also the perfect chance to learn or brush up on a foreign language. Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our some other deals for working holiday makers.
All applicants must be at least 18. The age limit depends on nationality.
- Australians: 30
- Canadians: 35
- Japanese: 30
- New Zealanders: 30
You must have a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your working holiday and is valid at least 3 months after the expiration date of the visa.
You must provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover your initial living expenses in Estonia.
- Canadians: CA$2500 (source)
Other nationalities should confirm the amount with their visa processing centre, as no specific figure is given online for WHV applicants:
- Australians: VFS Global in Australia
- New Zealanders: VFS Global in New Zealand
- Japanese: Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Tokyo
This must be your first participation. If you have already been granted an Estonia Working Holiday Visa before, then you cannot apply again.
Estonia requires all holders of a long stay multiple entry visa (such as the WHV) to have insurance policy covering expenses due to illness or injury during the period of validity of the visa.
You must be a citizen of a partner country to apply. Estonia currently has bilateral accords with Australia, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand.