The Estonian government on Thursday set its 2015 immigration quota for non-EU nationals wanting to reside in Estonia, Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR) reported.

According to the decision, up to 1,322 people, who are not citizens of the European Union (EU), will be allowed to apply for a temporary residence permit. The number represents 0.1 percent of the Estonian population.

Compared to previous years, there has been an increase: in 2014 and 2013, respectively 996 and 1,000 non-EU citizens were allowed to settle in Estonia.

The government said that the quota was raised due to an increased appeal of Estonia as a place to work and live.

According to the current law, the immigration quota of Estonia shall not exceed 0.1 percent of Estonian permanent population in one year. The quota does not apply to the citizens of the United States and Japan, and for those who want to come to Estonia for the purpose of making a research or study.

The current temporary residence permits are issued for up to 5 years, according to the law, the ERR report said.