Estonian parlt adopts amendments easing immigration of top specialists

Photo: Teet Malsroos / Õhtuleht

The parliament on Thursday passed amendments to the Aliens Act that will make it easier to bring foreign top-level specialists and scientists into Estonia.

The Riigikogu passed with votes 52-15 the government-initiated bill of amendments to the Aliens Act, Identity Documents Act and related laws which facilitate the taking up of residence in Estonia for foreign students and top-level specialists, the parliamentary press service said. The amended law provides easier terms for staying temporarily or settling in Estonia for persons who make a contribution to the development of society, brings domestic regulations into line with European Union law and specifies the grounds for issuing residence permits.

Member of the standing Constitutional Committee Mart Nutt from Pro Patria and Res Publica Union said the amendments substantially simplify obtaining a residence permit for working or studying in this country. The amended law enables Estonian companies to hire a specialist suitable to them but not available on the local job market from abroad within a period of a few days as it allows a foreigner to take up permanent employment and seek a residence permit for that already when in Estonia..

Nutt pointed out that the amended law does not open the way to an influx of cheap labor. One of the conditions for getting a residence permit under the simplified rules is that the employer must pay the top-level specialist at least double the Estonian average wage, he explained.