The state invites D-visa arrivals to participate in free cultural programmes

Throughout November and December, a number of engaging cultural programmes aimed at foreign citizens who have arrived in the country with a D-visa will be taking place. The programmes also include informative counseling seminars that support for adaptation to Estonian life.

"The aim of these entertaining cultural programs is to increase the interest of foreign citizens to acquire various practical knowledge about Estonian life and thus improve their ability to cope with their new environment. The events have been warmly received so far and interest is consistently growing," stated Martin Lään, head of Expat Relocation Estonia, who also supervises the training programme, regarding the positive feedback.

Valeria Mihhailova, coordinator of the New in Estonia programme, said that the idea to conduct cultural programmes with counseling seminars grew out of 5 years of experience when she was in charge of training programmes at Kultuurisamm. "Together, we discovered that through culture you can vividly show what is happening in Estonia and motivate people to actively participate in social life. Such events give foreigners the opportunity to practice the Estonian language and find points of contact through culture that connects and inspires," she explained.

Until the end of the year, citizens of third countries who have arrived in the country with a D-visa can participate in a number of free events, which are held in both Russian and English. The events take place at KUMU, Rocca al Mare Open Air Museum, the Estonian National Museum, and elsewhere. 

Previously, tours have been conducted together with a practical workshop in Viinistu Art Harbor, Anija Manor, Tallinn Zoo, and MUBA. "There is no shortage of cultural experiences in such places," Mihhailova said and encouraged people to register, because more training will be added to the calendar throughout November.

During the day, in addition to the cultural experiences, the participants will get a lot of knowledge about how to easily adapt to life in Estonia and what circumstances they need to pay the most attention to. The programme covers topics such as the basics of the Estonian state and society, labour law and medicine. In addition, educational institutions are introduced, language support, and various social state and third sector services are discussed.

The cultural programmes are offered until the end of 2022 and you can register for them at https://newinestonia.ee.

A long-term visa (D-visa) is issued for a stay in Estonia for up to twelve consecutive months with a stay of up to 365 days. A long-term visa is a domestic visa that entitles you to travel throughout the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180 day period. In addition to the citizens of third countries who came to Estonia to work, a D-visa is also given and used by foreign students who study In Estonia. Most workers with a D-visa arrive in Estonia from Ukraine, followed by Russia, Belarus, Moldova, and Uzbekistan.

The activities have been organised to support the implementation of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund application round project "E-training 2021-2022 for citizens of third countries who arrived in Estonia with a long-term visa". The AMIF2021-11 project is co-financed by the European Union through the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund and the Ministry of the Interior.