Arrival ABC

We hope that you have received all information necessary to process your visa/temporary residence permit application from our Welcome Web.
Here are the fundamentals for those students who are about to arrive or have already arrived at the University of Tartu.
We strongly advise you to use the checklists down below in order to keep track of all the most relevant procedures after your arrival at UT. There is one checklist for short-term students and one for degree-seeking students. You are advised to make sure that you do not skip any of the steps. Also, due to all the different cards that students may need to apply for, you will find a table with some brief information as to what to use each card for, whether it is compulsory, etc.
The students staying in self-isolation, all steps you need to take that require your physical presence can be taken once the self-isolation period is over, not before or during your self-isolation period!

Checklist (Short-term/Visiting Students)

Action	Timeframe	More information
Your UT username and password will be sent to you by email. If you have not received your UT username and password, please contact the Study Abroad Centre.	Before the beginning of the semester.	You can register to the courses and see the timetables before the official beginning of the academic year.
(Erasmus students) Certificate of arrival/departure is signed by email.	Upon arrival to Tartu	Only, if sending institution requires it. Form is provided by sending institution; host institution: University of Tartu; UT Erasmus code: EE TARTU02.
Proof of studies	student status must be active	Dean's office Please send an e-mail to the given address first, do not go to the office!
Register for courses in the Study Information System (SIS/ÕIS in Estonian). NB! Should you have any question concerning registration for courses, please email to the contact person in the institute/school/college.	Within two weeks after the beginning of the semester	Registrering to the courses
Fill out your contact information in the Study Information System. Make sure your contact information is correct and keep it updated!	Within two weeks after the beginning of the semester	See your profile in the SIS
In order to receive a stipend from UT, you are advised to open a local bank account and insert the account number into the SIS. (If you would like an ISIC card, you must open an account with Swedbank or SEB). In LHV bank opening an account is free of charge.	Within the first weeks of the semester. Not in the first week!	To open a bank account: You will need to request the confirmation of studies at UT from the respective dean's office at the beginning of the semester, this document proves your student status at the University of Tartu. Please send an e-mail to the given address first, do not go to the office! Opening a bank account
Pay your tuition fee (if applicable).	Based on the invoice issued by UT.	Tuition fees
C-visa holders: Begin applying for a D-visa (if you will be staying in Estonia for more than 90 days) at the Police and Border Guard Board.	Immediately upon arrival in Tartu!	Non-EU citizen resident permits and visas
D-visa holders: request an Estonian ID-code (isikukood) from Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli 17).	As soon as possible.	Tartu Welcome Centre
EU citizens: register as a resident of Tartu at the Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli 17) or at the Tartu Population Registry (Küüni 5) in order to have the right of residence in Estonia and receive your ID-code.	Within one month after your arrival in Estonia.	Tartu Welcome Centre
EU citizens: After completing the above step, you can apply for an Estonian ID-card from the Police and Border Guard Board (Riia 132) which certifies your right of residence in Estonia. ID-card is not compulsory but allows you to use various e-services.	After registering as a resident of Tartu	EU citizens: apply for an ID Card
Send your Estonian ID code (isikukood) to the Study Abroad Centre: studentvisasupport@ut.ee	As soon as you have received it.	Study Abroad Centre adds it to SIS. You can check it by viewing your personal data in SIS. ID code gives the possibility to receive transportation discounts, to register with a family doctor and to use a variety of other e-services.
Start looking for a family doctor and register yourself with the doctor of your choice.	As soon as possible.	Estonian health care system

Checklist (Degree-seeking Students)

Action	Timeframe	More information
Your UT username and password will be sent to you by email. If you have not received your UT username and password, please contact the Study Abroad Centre.	Before the beginning of the semester.
Fill out your contact information in the Study Information System (SIS/ÕIS). Make sure your contact information is correct and keep it updated!	At the beginning of studies.	See your profile in the SIS.
Register for courses in the SIS. NB! Should you have any question concerning registration for courses, please contact your institute/school/college or programme director.	As of August 22	Registering for courses
In order to receive a stipend from UT, open a local bank account and insert the account number into the SIS. (If you would like an ISIC card, you must open an account with Swedbank or SEB). In LHV bank opening an account is free of charge.	Within the first weeks of the semester. Not in the first week!	To open a bank account: You will need to request the confirmation of studies at UT from the respective dean's office at the beginning of the semester, this document proves your student status at the University of Tartu. Please send an e-mail to the given address first, do not go to the office! Opening a bank account
Tuition fee contracts are to be signed at respective dean’s office or institute. Students will be informed as where and when (varies across study fields). Tuition-waiver scholarship contracts will be sent to students by an e-mail with further instructions. This section applies only to the students of English taught study programmes (not PhD).	Within two weeks after the beginning of the semester.	Covering the cost of tuition
Non-EU citizens. D-visa holders: request an Estonian ID-code (isikukood) from Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli 17). If you will be studying in Estonia for more than 6 calendar months and have not applied for an Estonian Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) yet, begin applying for it at the Police and Border Guard Board.	Immediately upon arrival in Tartu!	Non-EU citizen resident permits and visas Tartu Welcome Centre
Non-EU citizens: After having received your TRP card (if applicable), register as a citizen of Tartu at the Population Register Office in Tartu (Küüni 5).	As soon as possible after receiving TRP card	After receiving your TRP Tartu Welcome Centre
EU citizens: register as a resident of Tartu at the Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli 17) or at the Tartu Population Registry (Küüni 5) in order to have the right of residence in Estonia and receive your ID-code.	Within one month after your arrival in Estonia.	EU Citizen's Right of Residence Tartu Welcome Centre
EU citizens: After completing the above step, apply for an Estonian ID-card from the Police and Border Guard Board (Riia 132) which certifies your right of residence in Estonia and allows you to use various e-services.	As soon as possible.	EU citizens: Apply for an ID Card
Pay your tuition fee (if applicable)	Based on the invoice issued by UT.	Tuition fees
Send your Estonian ID code (isikukood) to the Study Abroad Centre: studentvisasupport@ut.ee	As soon as you have received it.	Study Abroad Centre adds it to SIS. You can check it by viewing your personal data in SIS. ID code gives the possibility to receive transportation discounts, to register with a family doctor and to use a variety of other e-services.
Start looking for a family doctor (FD) and register yourself with the FD of your choice. Please note that Estonian ID code is needed for signing up with a FD.	As soon as possible.	Estonian health care system

Check also the Important Dates on 1st Semester.

Checklist (PhD Degree-seeking Students)

Action	Timeframe	More information
Your UT username and password will be sent to you by email. If you have not received your UT username and password, please contact the Study Abroad Centre.	Before the beginning of the semester.
Fill out your contact information in the Study Information System (SIS/ÕIS). Make sure your contact information is correct and keep it updated!	At the beginning of studies.	See your profile in the SIS.
Register for courses in SIS. NB! Should you have any question concerning registration for courses, please contact your supervisor.	Within two weeks after the beginning of the semester.	Registering for Courses
Complete individual study plan and insert to SIS.	Within two weeks from matriculation.	PhD Individual Study Plan
Sign PhD study agreement.	Within four weeks from matriculation.	PhD Study Agreement
In order to receive a stipend from UT, open a local bank account and insert the account number into SIS. (If you would like an ISIC card, you must open an account with Swedbank or SEB). In LHV bank opening an account is free of charge.	Within the first weeks of the semester. Not in the first week!	To open a bank account: You will need to request the confirmation of studies at UT from the respective dean's office at the beginning of the semester, this document proves your student status at the University of Tartu. Please send an e-mail to the given address first, do not go to the office! Opening a bank account
Non-EU citizens. D-visa holders: request an Estonian ID-code (isikukood) from Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli 17). If you will be studying in Estonia for more than 6 calendar months and have not applied for an Estonian Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) yet, begin applying for it at the Police and Border Guard Board.	Immediately upon arrival in Tartu!	Tartu Welcome Centre Non-EU citizen resident permits and visas
Non-EU citizens: After having received your TRP card (if applicable), register as a citizen of Tartu at the Population Register Office in Tartu (Küüni 5) or at Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli 17).	As soon as possible after receiving TRP card.	After receiving your TRP Tartu Welcome Centre
EU citizens: register as a resident of Tartu at the Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli 17) or at the Tartu Population Registry (Küüni 5) in order to have the right of residence in Estonia and receive your ID-code.	Within one month after your arrival in Estonia.	EU Citizen's Right of Residence Tartu Welcome Centre
EU citizens: After completing the above step, apply for an Estonian ID-card from the Police and Border Guard Board (Riia 132) which certifies your right of residence in Estonia and allows you to use various e-services.	As soon as possible.	EU citizens: Apply for an ID Card
Send your Estonian ID code (isikukood) to the Study Abroad Centre: studentvisasupport@ut.ee	As soon as you have received it.	Study Abroad Centre adds it to SIS. You can check it by viewing your personal data in SIS. ID code gives the possibility to receive transportation discounts, to register with a family doctor and to use a variety of other e-services.
Start looking for a family doctor (FD) and register yourself with the FD of your choice. Please note that Estonian ID code is needed for signing up with a FD.	As soon as possible.	Estonian health care system

What cards do I need during my studies?

Card	What for?	Obligatory?	Where and how to get?	How much?
ISIC	Proves student status; several discounts internationally. Please note that UT does not have a UT specific student card!	No	Three options: 1.by opening bank account at Swed or SEB Pank 2. by online system "MinuKool" (ID card or TRP card is needed). 3. by physical application process described here (ID card/TRP card is not needed).
ESNcard	Proves your status as a member of the Erasmus Student Network; several discounts; benefits in Tartu	No	ESN Tartu office Pikk 14-206 Tue and Thu 19:30-20:30	12 €
Estonian ID card (EU citizens only)	Proves one's right to stay in Estonia; access to UT library, e-services (banking, digital signing, mobile ID), authentication; different discounts in Estonia. More information here .	Compulsory and available only for students from the EU studying in Estonia at least 3 months.	Migration Bureau Riia St. 132 Mo-Fr 9:00-17:00 (Within one month from receiving your right of temporary residence and Estonian ID code)	25 €
Temporary residence permit card (non-EU citizens only)	Proves one's right to stay in Estonia; access to e-services (banking, digital signing, mobile ID), authentication.	Compulsory and available only for degree-seeking non-EU students studying in Estonia more than 6 months.	After applying for the TRP, the students are informed when and where they get TRP card	64€ in Estonia; 95€ abroad (from 06.01.2020)
Library Access	Access to UT Library NB! UT library printing service is accessible only with an Estonian ID card or a bus card (available at any R kiosk). You can additionally print from your computer or mobile device. Further information at this link.	No card is needed to enter the library but in order to borrow books you must have an Estonia ID card/TRP card (long term studies) or register with the library (short term studies).	W.Struve 1 Mo-Fr 09:00-21:00 Sat-Sun 12:00-18:00 UT Library Login/Registration	1.60 € without an Estonian ID card
Tartu bus card	Contactless card for use on all city buses in Tartu/Tallinn. Student discounts can be available only, if one has an Estonian ID code. Discounts activate later, not immediately after starting studies at UT.	No	Any R-Kiosk, post office, the bus station, and some stores. A full list of sales points is available here. You can top up your bus card at any R-Kiosk or you can do it electronically here. You can peronalise your card online here (Estonian ID card is needed) or physically here (Estonian ID card is not needed). Personalisation is needed for getting transport discount.	2 €
European Health Insurance Card	Covers some medical services (such as visit to General Practitioner).	Only for EU citizens	Health insurance institution of your home country	Free of charge
Store customer cards	Many stores (e.g., Kaubamaja, Selver, Rimi, Konsum, Maxima and others) offer customer cards that allow you to save money and/or accumulate bonus points when you shop.	No	From the cashier or at the info desk of the store	Varies; generally under 2 €

Estonian ID-card/ID code depending on your country of origin

I am from an EU country	EU citizens must register their residence in Tartu and apply for an Estonian ID-card, detailed information is here Upon registering their residence, all EU citizens get automatically an Estonian ID code (isikukood) Once you get an Estonian identification code, please send it to the Study Abroad Centre at studentvisasupport@ut.ee. With an Estonian ID card you can use various digital services, an Estonian ID code allows to use transport discount, register with a family doctor etc.
I am from a non-EU country and have D–type visa	Who needs D-type visa, please see here D-Visa holders do not automatically get an *Estonian ID code (isikukood).* However, it is highly advisable to get it, as it grants the student the possibility to receive transportation discounts, to register with a family doctor and to use a variety of other e-services. Where and how to get an ID code, please read here Once you get an Estonian ID code, please send it to the Study Abroad Centre at studentvisasupport@ut.ee. D-visa holders do not get an Estonian ID-card, thus they cannot use digital services applicable with the ID card. Visa is affixed to your passport. D-visa holders cannot register your residence in Estonia.
I am from a non-EU country and have TRP of any EU member state for my studies in Estonia	You do not automatically get an *Estonian ID code (isikukood).* However, it is highly advisable to get it, as it grants the student the possibility to receive transportation discounts, to register with a family doctor or to use a variety of other e-services. Where and how to get an ID code, please read here Once you get an Estonian ID code, please send it to the Study Abroad Centre at studentvisasupport@ut.ee. You do not get an Estonian ID-card, thus you cannot use digital services applicable with the ID card. You cannot register your residence in Estonia.
I am from a non-EU country and have TRP	Who needs TRP, please see here TRP holders get an *Estonian ID code (isikukood)* with their TRP. After getting your TRP, you have to register your residence in Tartu. Where and how to register, please see here Send your Estonian identification code to the Study Abroad Centre at studentvisasupport@ut.ee TRP holders get a TRP card, which functions as their Estonian ID card, thus they can use digital services applicable with the card and other services.

Welcoming programme to settle in Estonia

The Government of Estonia offers a programme to facilitate foreign nationals with fundamental information about working and studying in Estonia, social aspects, family life, organization of everyday life and Estonian language. You are eligible to participate in the programme only if you are a foreign national who has resided in Estonia for less than 5 years and if you comply with the following:

A foreign national who has been granted temporary residence permit (TRP) in Estonia.
Citizen of the European Union who has acquired the temporary right of residence in Estonia.
Family member of a citizen of the European Union who has been granted the temporary right of residence in Estonia.

Please find fully-detailed information about the programme and how to apply here:
Welcome to Estonia: Welcoming programme

NB! Please note that D-Visa holders are not eligible to participate in this programme.

Support services

Service	Website	Contact
Study Abroad Centre (SAC)	SAC	Your study coordinator UT Main Building (Ülikooli 18) Room 134
Student-to-student support services	Getting Started	-
IT Services Printing	Arvutiabi UT Multimedia Service	arvutiabi@ut.ee meedia@ut.ee
Visa assistance	Residence Permits and Visas	studentvisasupport@ut.ee
Financial matters	Getting Started
Counselling for students with special needs	Counselling Services	noustaja@ut.ee
Center for Academic Writing (AVOK)	AVOK	avokeskus@ut.ee
Career counselling	Counselling Services	noustaja@ut.ee
Psychological counselling	Counselling Services
Support Services Beyond UT: Tartu Welcome Centre
Safety and security	Rescue Service Police & Border Guard	Emergency number: 112 Police & Border Guard Address: Riia 132
Banking - opening account	Tartu Welcome Centre
Visas	Police & Border Guard	migrationadvice@politsei.ee

Getting started for international students