Estonia Ultimate Guide to Job Openings for Foreign Workers

Are you prepared to enter into one of the most digitalized countries in the world? Not only a technology powerhouse with Skype as its headquarters, Estonia, the pioneer of e-Governance, is a fast-developing economy that is in constant demand of foreign talent. The victory in this case is the assurance of access to high salaries, an energetic start-up, and the free movement zone of the European Union.

The Best Sectors to hire foreign workers

The Talent demand within Estonia is very specific on specialized jobs which the domestic labor cannot supply and therefore, it is a good destination to skilled professionals.

The Internet Backbone Information Technology and Technologies

The IT & Tech Sector is the undefeated ruler which provides the greatest concentration of English-Speaking Jobs.

• Important Positions: Software developer, System Architect, ICT Specialist, Cybersecurity Specialist, Cloud Computing.
• Special Incentive: The ICT Specialists are frequently not subject to the Immigration Quota annually; hence the process of obtaining the residence permit becomes much easier. This is a significant strength to international technological talent.

Critical Services Education and Health

The two sectors experience structural deficits that are a result of demography. The European Employment Services (EURES) explains that, in the recent years, Teaching Professionals and Health Professionals were listed as some of the most shortage occupations.

• Critical Areas: Nursing Professionals, General Medical Practitioners, Specialist Medical Practitioners, Researchers, Lecturers.

Manufacturing and Engineering

The manufacturing and industrial R&D in Estonia is a high-tech industry that requires technical expertise and skilled hands.

• Major Occupations: Metal / Machinery, Workers, Electronics, Engineering Technicians, Industrial, R and D.

Managing the Estonian Work Authorization Channels

Applying to work in Estonia In order to work lawfully, you need a Valid Job Offer and a relevant permit, and the Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB) are usually the ones who approve it and provide it. The course of action depends on the duration of the job and your credentials.

Temporary Residence Permit (TRP)9 The Long-Term Route

The regular way to get long-term employment is the Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) of Employment, which is usually granted within a period of 5 years and can be renewed.

• Sponsorship by the Employer: Compulsory. The process is initiated by your Estonian employer, who is frequently obliged to obtain authorization of Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund (Eesti Toeetukassa) in order to justify the need to employ a foreign worker.
• Salary Requirement: The employment agreement should include a minimum salary that corresponds to the newest published annual average wage in Estonia.12 Over the past few years the gross average monthly wage has been around 1800 or more.

The Fast Track Elite Talent EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is the reserve of the Highly Qualified Workers and they have an accelerated track with more liberty in their mobility throughout the EU.

• Greater Salary Threshold: You will need to receive gross annual salary exceeding the average gross salary of the Estonians (of 14$1.5$ times the national average).
• Qualifications: The qualification requires a qualification in higher education or a long period of work experience.

Short-term Employment and D-visa

In case of work assignments that do not exceed 365 days in the span of 455 days, the employer has the option of registering as Short-Term Employment with the PBGB.

This registration usually comes as a condition of getting a Long-Stay Visa(D-Type Visa) that will permit you to enter Estonia and work legally in up to one year without the full TRP required at first.

The Entrepreneurial Pathway Start-up Visa

Estonia is known as the country of Start-up Visa, the program that is aimed to attract founders and members of the core team. Most importantly, the pathway is not bound by the Immigration Quota, which is a great benefit to innovative businesses.

The Constraint Learning the Immigration Quota

One of the reasons that influence Estonia Job Openings in Foreign Employees is the Immigration Quota accepted annually.

Estonia restricts the amount of residence permits that non-EU nationals/non-EEA nationals are allowed per year to 18 0.1 per cent of its permanent residents of non-EU nationals.

• Good News: There are many important exemption categories to the Immigration Quota such as:
• ICT Specialists
• Start-up employees
• The salary of foreigners was extremely high (Top Specialists).
• Students and researchers

In the case that your position is in one of those exempt categories, you have much easier access to work permit and it does not rely on the amount of quota out there.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Estonia is actively recruiting talents throughout the world to power its developed economy.25 By focusing on positions of high demand, especially in the technology field where the Immigration Quota is frequently ignored in favor of ICT Specialists and start-ups, you can majorly win a great career prospect. A digitally smoothing process, Employer Sponsorship, and precise roadmap to the Long-Term Resident Status contribute to making Estonia one of the most attractive European countries to foreign workers.

Disclosure

This is an informative and educational article. It is strongly recommended that before the readers make any work or immigration decisions, they have to confirm all the job requirements, application procedures, fees, and current regulations using the official government websites of the Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB) or any reputable legal worker.