Critics of Estonia's migration policies, such as employers seeking specialists from abroad, have said that existing residency laws are overly strict.

　　The new law, to be implemented in December, will speed up the hiring process to just a few days, Estonian Broadcasting Company reported.

　　Companies are in principle only permitted to hire foreigners if they cannot find someone who is qualified from the Estonian workforce. The law requires that foreigners seeking residency on the basis of being a specialist must be offered a salary that is twice the national average.

　　The reforms will also allow non-EU exchange students to work while studying and graduates of Estonian universities will be allowed to continue living in Estonia.