Immigration quota for 2024 and its distribution by areas of activity
The government set next year's immigration quota at 1303, which is four less than this year. This is the maximum amount that the Aliens Act allows to impose at the moment. Out of the 2024 quota, just over a thousand residence permits are earmarked for free distribution, and nearly 300 residence permits are reserved for specific areas.
200 residence permits for transport and warehousing
The order of the Minister of the Interior divides the immigration quota between different areas. Temporary residence permits can be granted the most for work in transport and warehousing (200 residence permits). 35 residence permits have been booked for working as a journalist accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There are 34 residence permits for the sports sector and 15 for the cultural sector. In addition, 5 residence permits are provided for under an international agreement. Thus, out of the 2024 quota, 289 residence permits are reserved for the above areas, but just over a thousand are freely allocated. This year the situation was the opposite, i.e. only about 300 residence permits were available for free distribution.
Who are considered under the immigration quota?
Temporary residence permits granted to third-country nationals for employment, business, an international agreement or a compelling national interest fall within the immigration quota.
Who is exempt from the immigration limit?
- Citizens of a Member State of the European Union
- Citizens of the USA, the UK, Japan, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein
- Aliens settling with their spouse or close relative
- Aliens studying or doing research in Estonia
- Aliens who are issued a temporary residence permit for settling permanently in Estonia
- Aliens who are granted a residence permit for employment in a professional position in information and communication technology
- Aliens who are granted a residence permit to work in a start-up company
- Aliens who work as a lecturer in Estonia
- Aliens who are granted a temporary residence permit for enterprise as a major investor or in connection with start-up business
- Aliens who are granted a temporary residence permit to work as a top specialist, i.e. to whom the employer pays at least 1.5 times the average Estonian salary
- Aliens who are granted a temporary residence permit for short-term employment
- Aliens who are granted a temporary residence permit to work in a growth enterprise
- Beneficiaries of international protection