CoR - Estonia Immigration and asylum

Central

The Government is responsible for:

E-Residency programme (launched 2014);
Implementation of EU laws and regulations;
Immigration and asylum policy and legislation;
International cooperation.
Border security;
Visa issuance;
Reception and accommodation of asylum seekers;
Issuance of employment permits to citizens of third countries;
Returns of asylum seekers, beneficiaries of international protection and refugees;
Policies on unaccompanied minors;
Training for lawyers and NGOs on implementing the principles of equal treatment.

Regional

No competencies identified at the regional level.

Local

According to the Act on Granting International Protection to Aliens, local authorities are responsible for:

Organising the admission of persons enjoying international protection and, where necessary, assisting in: finding housing, obtaining social and health services; organising for translation of the Estonian language instruction and obtaining information concerning the person's rights and duties;
Ensuring that the residence permit of an alien who is staying in the territory of a local government will be formalised pursuant to the Aliens Act;

Notifying the Police and Border Guard Board about an alien who is staying and is being employed in the territory of the local government illegally.

Responsible ministries/bodies

Ministry of Interior

Sources

Policies Area