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.

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.
(Erasmus students) Get your certificate of arrival signed (if you home university requires it) and pick up your Learning Agreement at the Study Abroad Centre.	Upon arrival to Tartu
Register for courses in the Study Information System (SIS/ÕIS in Estonian). NB! Should you have any question concerning registration for courses, please contact your institute/school/college or programme director.	Within two weeks after the beginning of the semester	Using the SIS
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.)	Within the first weeks of the semester. Not in the first week!	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 the Tartu Country Government (Tiigi 12).	As soon as possible.	D-visa information
EU citizens: register as a resident of Tartu 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
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.	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.
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!	As soon as possible.	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.	Within two weeks after the beginning of the semester	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.)	Within the first weeks of the semester. Not in the first week!	Opening a bank account
Sign your tuition fee contract at your respective dean’s office (bachelor and master's students of English-taught programmes). Tuition-waiver scholarship contracts will be sent to students by e-mail and these need to be taken back to the Office of Academic Affairs (Ülikooli 18, 134)	Within two weeks after the beginning of the semester.	Covering the cost of tuition
PhD students: add ndividual study plan to SIS	Within two weeks from matriculation	PhD Individual Study Plan
Non-EU citizens: 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. You will receive your Estonian ID-code (isikukood) along with your TRP.	Immediately upon arrival in Tartu!	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).	As soon as possible after receiving TRP card	After receiving your TRP
EU citizens: register as a resident of Tartu at the Tartu Population Registry (Küüni 5) in order to have the right of residence in Estonia and receive an Estonian ID-code (isikukood).	Within one month after your arrival in Estonia.
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.
Start looking for a family doctor and register yourself with the doctor of your choice.	As soon as possible.	Estonian health care system

Check also the Important Dates on 1st Semester.

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.	No	https://www.isic.org/get-your-card/ When opening a bank account at Swedbank or SEB.	Costs regulated by the purchasing power within each country
ESNcard	Proves your status as a member of the Erasmus Student Network; several discounts; benefits in Tartu	No	ESN Tartu office Pikk 14-206 Tu 19:30-20:30	12 €
UT student card	The University of Tartu no longer provides student cards. Instead you should apply for an ISIC card (must have a Swedbank or SEB bank account).	N/A
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	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. Not for D-Visa holders.	After applying for the TRP, the students are informed when and where they get TRP card	64€ in Estonia; 80€ abroad
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 (long term studies) or register with the library (short term/exchange studies). More info is available in the library orientation presentation	W.Struve 1 Mo-Fr 10:00-21:00 Sat-Sun 12:00-18:00 UT Library Login/Registration	1.60 € without an Estonian ID card
Tartu bus card	Contactless card or sticker for use on all city buses in Tartu; student discounts are available.	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.	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 see here: (long term D-visa) 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 see here: (long term D-visa) 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

UT 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	psyhholoog@ut.ee

Support Services Beyond UT
Banking	Info about banking system	-
Student dormitories	Tartu Student Village	info@campus.ee
Health care	Info about health care system	-
Sports facilities	Info about sports facilities UT Sports Club	For UT Sports Club: info@tysk.ee
Safety and security	Rescue Service Police & Border Guard	Emergency number: 112 Police & Border Guard Address: Riia 132
Visas	Police & Border Guard	migrationadvice@politsei.ee
Tartu Population Registry Service (to register your place of residence)	Population Register	rt@raad.tartu.ee Küüni 5

Getting started for international students