Up to 4,000 people could be allowed to come to Estonia in the upcoming years if the economic growth is over two per cent.
These remarks were made by the Estonian Economy Minister, Erkki Keldo, who concluded that the immigration quota could be raised depending on the state’s economic growth, Schengen.News reports.
Currently, 1,303 foreign-born nationals are allowed in Estonia every year, which represents 0.1 per cent of Estonia’s permanent residents.
Estonian Ministers Torn Between Expanding or Maintaining the Same Migration Quoatas
The Economy Minister suggested that the limit be raised to 2,600 people, with the possibility of increasing it to 3,900 per year if the economy hits the two per cent mark.
He also noted that different quotas could be implemented in various sectors of the economy – highlighting the positive outcome that migration could bring to the country. Minister Keldo also said that the government should also determine salary requirements.
The Minister of Education, Kristina Kallas, speaking on behalf of her party, said that the quota should be increased, but it has to come with the agreement of trade unions.
Lauri Läänemets, the Interior minister of Estonia and chairman of the Social Democrat Party, did not agree with the notion of changing the quotas. However, he did point out that making more exemptions could be beneficial.
Like his colleague from Estonia 200, Minister Läänemets agrees that business representatives and trade unions should jointly decide to raise the limit.
While trying to attract more migrant workers, the country is also dedicated to tackling migration, as the Estonian government introduced more stringent measures regarding this concern. In April, the Estonian government considered making it mandatory for foreigners who wanted to come to the country for work to obtain a one-year visa before entering Estonia. This measure would aim to mitigate migration risks.
Estonia Immigration Quota Drops Due to Economic Downturn
In recent years, Estonia has received high interest for its immigration quota, which used to be quickly filled. However, fewer third-world nationals have come to Estonia for employment purposes recently, as the country is experiencing an economic drop. According to the Economy Minister, there are still 300 spaces left in this year’s quota.
Nationals of third countries are allowed to come to Estonia to work for certain periods of time. Those that are exempted from the immigration quotas include EU citizens, US citizens, and workers from Japan, the UK, Switzerland, Iceland and Norway.
In addition, IT specialists, startup employees, lecturers, students, individuals moving to join family members, and those granted international protection are also exempted from this scheme.