How long is the Estonian researcher residence permit valid, and can it be extended?

A residence permit for employment, including for scientific activity, can be issued for a period of up to five years, tied to your contract and the basis of your stay. When it is time to renew, extensions can be granted for up to ten years at a time.

Because your permit is linked to your research position, keep your permit aligned with your contract dates and apply to extend before it expires. Let your institution's HR or migration support help you time the renewal correctly.