You do not have to and cannot know answers to all questions. Especially if you have recently arrived in Estonia or you are just planning to move here for work. You can easily get comprehensive information in a prompt and user-friendly way and free of charge. We will be happy to tell you how to do this and share some not well-known tips.

Of course, you can search for answers to your questions yourself, both on the Internet and in the old manner by personally visiting various institutions. However, an independent search for answers can be not only time-consuming but also nerve-racking.

It is not necessary to do all of this, since the International House of Estonia, a multi-purpose information center, has been specially established for you in Estonia. Here you will find all the specialists of state institutions you need.   

They will answer your questions and give advice on the most important matters for a foreigner:

 

Personal identification number. It is the first thing you should get in Estonia. How to do that?

Residence permit. How to ensure your legal residence in Estonia?

Registration of the place of residence. What to do to comply with the legislation?

Accommodation and adaptation. A general overview of the administrative system, everyday life, medicine, education, and transport. Culture, leisure, and sports.

Career advise. How to find a good job, an adaptation of CVs and motivation letters.

Entrepreneurship. You will get comprehensive information about the tax system and labor legislation, how to transfer your company to Estonia, the description of grant systems. 

 

The information is provided in Estonian, English, and Russian. In a user-friendly way and free of charge, and much faster than usual!

Particularly, if you have questions related to applying for or changing your residence permit, you would have to wait for 3 to 4 weeks to get advice from a specialist from the Citizenship and Migration Bureau. Here you can get help in 1 or 2 weeks.

Furthermore, in certain cases, you do not even need to leave your home!

First, you should think about what questions you have and how quickly you want to receive information. If you do not have time to wait, you can contact the International House of Estonia on business days by phone (627 9701), by e-mail, or instant messaging on the official Facebook page of the institution. If you have any questions, we recommend that you book an appointment for getting a piece of personal advice via the e-form on the International House of Estonia homepage. 

 

What to do if you need to get an answer to your question urgently?

 

The fastest way is to contact the institution by phone. The administrator will help you find the necessary information or advise you on how to handle a certain situation. If you ask a specific question, the administrator will try to transfer your call to a competent specialist, if possible.

Otherwise, you will be most likely asked to contact the institution by e-mail or instant messaging or offered to make an appointment for getting a piece of personal advice.

Written advice is good for those who want to get an answer to a specific question or those who are outside of Estonia. Competent specialists usually respond within a day, i.e. the next day.

However, if the situation is difficult or specific, your request will be sent to a competent specialist. In this case, you should be patient. Such questions are answered within 10 days.

 

What to do if you have a lot of questions?

 

An answer often raises new questions. Therefore, if you are not sure whether you have enough knowledge and would like to get comprehensive information, we recommend that you avoid long-winded communications via email and instant messaging. To achieve this goal, personal advice works best. We tell you, it is faster.

To make an appointment, you need to book time on the International House of Estonia homepage. It will take no more than two or three minutes. Be careful when filling out the form and provide the correct information. It will help select the right advisor.

Double-check your contact information. It will allow the administrator to remind you of the appointment and, if necessary, ask clarifying questions in order to make a specialist ready before meeting you. 

At the International House of Estonia, it usually takes less time before you meet a dedicated specialist than you would have to wait at the institutions they represent. The waiting time for getting advice on migration issues, paperwork, career opportunities, and entrepreneurship are 1 to 2 weeks. You can make an appointment where you will get to know how to find the best accommodation in Estonia, find lodging, enroll in language courses, etc. even faster – the appointment may take place within a week after registration.

Each appointment lasts for 30 minutes to 1 hour. If you have just arrived in Estonia, we recommend that you book appointments for getting advice on all the questions you have on the same day. In this way, you will not only keep your nerve, get an idea of ​​Estonia, life and work here but also save your time. However, you will have to fill out the registration form several times.

The International House of Estonia is located in Ülemiste City at Valukoja 8, and it is easy to get there by public transport or car from almost anywhere in the city. Instructions are available on the House homepage. Using the Uber, Bolt or Yandex apps, getting there is even easier.

Do not be afraid to ask stupid questions and do not hesitate to request help. You are always welcome at the International House of Estonia – it has been established specially for you.

However, if your questions do not relate to the individual-state relationship, you are looking for friends or companions to talk about leisure or work, or even want to get an answer to the main question of life, the universe, etc., try your luck with one of the Telegram channels we recommended in our previous blog. Or refer to the special closed group “There Goes the Neighbourhood!” on Facebook to read about life of other non-native residents.

This article was updated in September 2021.