The Estonian government has backed planned amendments are to the Aliens Law implementing an EU directive into Estonian law, which change how third-country nationals on enter and reside in Estonia if they are study or performing research work.
Estonian public broadcaster ERR reports that according to the new directive, researchers and university students will be allowed to move between EU member states without having seek residency in their new host country.
An additional change expected to enter into force on May 23, 2018, will give foreign researchers, students and teaching staff the chance to stay in Estonia for up to 270 days after the expiration date of their residence permit to work or start a business, which is an increase from the current permitted period of 183 days.
The director of the University of Tartu’s Study Abroad Centre, Ülle Tensing, commented to the ERR that these changes will broaden students’ opportunities, but they would also mean additional responsibilities for Estonian universities, as the schools will be responsible for verifying that the residency permits of foreign students issued by other EU member states comply with the established criteria.
