Latvia

Requirements

• Job offer / approved employment invitation from a Latvian employer (employer obtains OCMA invitation approval first)
• Valid passport (valid 3+ months beyond permit)
• Proof of subsistence: standard EUR 3,630/month (2x avg gross wage); sector-specific minimum EUR 1,815/month (from 1 Apr 2026)
• Health insurance covering at least EUR 30,000 valid throughout the EU
• Criminal record certificate from home country (if applicable), Apostilled/legalized
• Chest X-ray / health report on arrival
• Address declaration after entry
• A2 Latvian language proficiency (2026, most categories)

Required Documents

• Completed residence permit application form required
• Photo required
• Valid passport required
• Approved employment invitation/contract required
• Proof of subsistence required
• Health insurance (min EUR 30,000) required
• Criminal record certificate from home country (Apostilled)
• Chest X-ray / health report (on arrival) required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Employer obtains invitation approval

   Employer registers the vacancy and obtains OCMA approval of the employment invitation (EUR 17 paper / EUR 10 electronic via latvija.lv; employment-right request EUR 85).

2. 2

   Submit application abroad

   Applicant submits the residence permit application at a Latvian diplomatic/consular mission abroad (or at OCMA).

3. 3

   OCMA review

   Mission forwards the file to OCMA Riga; processing counts from receipt at OCMA (30 days standard; 10 or 5 working days expedited).

4. 4

   Enter and finalize

   On approval, enter Latvia, declare place of residence, submit chest X-ray/health report and insurance, and collect the ID card (EUR 45 / 10 working days).

Official Sources

• Official OCMA (PMLP) — Residence permit (general) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP)
• Official OCMA (PMLP) — State fee for issuing a residence permit · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP)
• Official OCMA (PMLP) — Necessary subsistence (2026 amounts) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP)

Requirements

• University degree from a 3+ year program, OR 5+ years relevant professional experience
• Signed work contract / binding offer of at least 1 year in a highly qualified position
• Salary above threshold (EU portal: EUR 24,720/year; EUR 19,776 for shortage occupations — confirm with OCMA)
• Valid passport
• Proof of qualifications (diploma/transcripts or experience evidence), Apostilled
• Sickness/health insurance
• Criminal record certificate (unless from visa-free country)
• Radiologist/X-ray report on arrival

Required Documents

• Application form required
• Photo required
• Passport required
• Signed contract/offer meeting salary threshold required
• Proof of qualifications (diploma/transcripts or experience evidence) required
• Proof of financial means required
• Sickness insurance proof required
• Criminal record certificate (unless visa-free country)
• Radiologist/X-ray report (on arrival) required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Employer obtains invitation approval

   Employer obtains OCMA approval of the employment invitation; no labour market test applies in Latvia.

2. 2

   Submit application abroad

   Applicant submits at a Latvian diplomatic mission abroad.

3. 3

   OCMA review

   Mission forwards file to OCMA; examination max 10 working days standard, 5 working days expedited, plus 10-15 days for card production.

4. 4

   Enter and finalize

   On arrival, submit X-ray report and insurance, declare residence, and collect the Blue Card / ID card.

Official Sources

• Official EU Immigration Portal — EU Blue Card Latvia · European Commission (DG Home Affairs)
• Official EU Immigration Portal — Highly-qualified worker Latvia · European Commission (DG Home Affairs)
• Official OCMA (PMLP) — State fee for issuing a residence permit (authoritative fees) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP)

Requirements

• Accredited study agreement / matriculation at a Latvian higher education institution
• Institution obtains invitation approval at OCMA first
• Full passport copy
• Proof of subsistence: EUR 500/month applicant; accompanying adult EUR 500/month, minor EUR 150/month
• Apostilled prior diplomas
• State-duty payment confirmation
• For accompanying minors: kinship proof and parental consent

Required Documents

• Full passport copy required
• Completed residence-permit request form required
• Photo required
• Accredited study agreement required
• Proof of subsistence (EUR 500/month) required
• State-duty payment confirmation required
• Apostilled prior diplomas required
• Kinship proof and parental consent (for accompanying minors)

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Institution issues invitation

   The accredited institution issues an official invitation and confirms matriculation at OCMA.

2. 2

   Submit application

   Student applies at a Latvian diplomatic mission abroad or at OCMA Riga, with EUR 60 non-refundable appointment fee for bachelor applicants.

3. 3

   OCMA review

   Decision typically 30-60 days from receipt at OCMA Riga; expedited 10 or 20 working days.

4. 4

   Enter and finalize

   On approval, enter Latvia, declare residence, submit health/insurance documents, collect ID card.

Official Sources

• Official OCMA (PMLP) — Studies · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP)
• Official OCMA (PMLP) — State fee for issuing a residence permit · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP)

Requirements

• Business plan approved (signed) by a sworn auditor for the expected period of activity
• Proof of personal financial means sufficient to start and sustain operations
• Subsistence: EUR 3,630/month (self-employed/commercial category, 2× average gross monthly wage, effective April 1, 2026 per Cabinet Regulation No. 225)
• Health insurance with minimum EUR 42,600 coverage including repatriation
• Valid passport
• Required professional licenses or permits for any regulated activities
• Criminal record certificate if resided abroad for more than 12 months (if over 14 years old)
• Completed residence permit application form
• Photograph

Required Documents

• Valid passport (self-certified copy) required
• Completed residence permit application questionnaire required
• Photograph (recent) required
• Business plan signed by a sworn auditor required
• Evidence of personal financial means to start operations required
• Proof of subsistence (EUR 3,630/month) required
• Health insurance policy (minimum EUR 42,600 liability, valid in Latvia and Schengen) required
• State fee payment confirmation required
• Criminal record certificate (if over 14 and resided abroad 12+ months)
• Required professional licenses for regulated activities
• Updated auditor-reviewed business plan (for renewal from year 2 onward)

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Prepare business plan

   Commission and obtain a business plan for your proposed commercial activity signed by a sworn (certified) auditor in Latvia.

2. 2

   Gather required documents

   Collect passport copy, photograph, proof of subsistence (EUR 3,630/month), health insurance, financial means documentation, and any required professional licenses.

3. 3

   Submit application abroad

   Submit the complete application at a Latvian diplomatic mission or consular office in your country of residence, which forwards the file to OCMA for evaluation.

4. 4

   OCMA evaluation

   OCMA reviews the application within 30 days (standard), 10 working days (expedited), or 5 working days (fast-track) depending on the fee paid.

5. 5

   Collect residence permit / ID card

   Upon approval, collect the biometric residence permit (eID card) from the relevant OCMA office.

6. 6

   Annual renewal

   Renew each year with an updated business plan reviewed by a sworn auditor demonstrating continued commercial activity.

Official Sources

• Official Self-Employed Person Residence Permit — PMLP Official Page · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), Latvia
• Official Self-Employed Worker in Latvia — EU Immigration Portal · European Commission, DG Home Affairs
• Official Necessary Subsistence — PMLP Official Page · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), Latvia

Requirements

• Innovative business concept that is scalable and yields high added value (commonly technology-based)
• Free-form application describing innovative products/services and 3-year business plan
• Proof of subsistence (EUR 2,340/month per Cabinet Regulation No. 225 effective April 2026; the PMLP page also references EUR 500/month — verify current applicable figure with OCMA)
• Valid passport
• Up to 5 co-founders per business concept may apply
• Electronic ID card available upon approval

Required Documents

• Valid passport (self-certified copy) required
• Completed residence permit application questionnaire required
• Photograph (recent) required
• Free-form written application describing the innovative product/service and 3-year business activities plan required
• Proof of subsistence funds required
• State fee payment confirmation required
• Kinship documentation and parental consent if accompanied by minor children
• Criminal record certificate (if over 14 and resided abroad 12+ months)

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Prepare business concept application

   Write a free-form application describing your innovative product or service concept, its scalability, market potential, and planned business activities for the next three years. Pitch presentation is recommended.

2. 2

   Gather supporting documents

   Collect passport copy, photograph, proof of subsistence, health insurance, and state fee confirmation.

3. 3

   Submit application

   Submit the application at a Latvian diplomatic mission or consular office abroad, or directly to OCMA if already lawfully in Latvia.

4. 4

   OCMA evaluation

   OCMA evaluates the innovative concept and issues a decision within approximately one month.

5. 5

   Register startup and collect permit

   Upon approval, register the business entity in Latvia and collect the biometric residence permit (eID card). Team members from abroad may then also apply for dedicated residence permits.

6. 6

   Renewal

   The permit is valid for up to 3 years. Renewal requires demonstrating ongoing startup activity.

Official Sources

• Official Innovative Product Creation or Development (Start-up Activities) — PMLP Official Page · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), Latvia
• Official For Start-up Founders — PMLP · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), Latvia
• Official Startup Visa — Startup Latvia (LIAA) · Startup Latvia / Latvia Investment and Development Agency (LIAA)

Requirements

• EUR 50,000 equity investment into a qualifying Latvian company (<=50 employees, turnover/balance <= EUR 10M, >= EUR 40,000/year taxes) + EUR 10,000 one-time state-budget payment (equity route)
• Alternative statutory routes: real estate, subordinated capital in credit institutions, government bonds
• Proof of investment and source of funds
• Subsistence: EUR 2,340/month (3x minimum wage, from 1 Apr 2026)
• Health insurance
• Criminal record certificate (Apostilled)
• Valid passport

Required Documents

• Passport required
• Proof of investment / source of funds required
• Company/tax compliance evidence required
• Health insurance required
• Criminal record certificate (Apostilled) required
• Application form and photo required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Make qualifying investment

   Invest EUR 50,000 into a qualifying company's equity capital (or use another statutory route) and document source of funds.

2. 2

   Pay state-budget payment

   Make the one-time EUR 10,000 payment to the state budget (equity-capital route).

3. 3

   Submit application

   Submit application with investment/tax-compliance evidence, insurance, and criminal record to OCMA.

4. 4

   OCMA review and issuance

   Processing approximately 2-4 months; on approval, collect residence permit with annual ID-card renewal.

Official Sources

• Official OCMA (PMLP) — Residence permit (general) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP)
• Official OCMA (PMLP) — Necessary subsistence (2026 amounts) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP)
• Official OCMA (PMLP) — State fee for issuing a residence permit · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP)

Requirements

• Sponsor is a Latvian citizen/non-citizen or a foreigner with a valid residence/permanent residence permit
• Eligible member: spouse, minor child, or dependent
• Valid travel document (passport valid 3+ months beyond permit)
• Marriage/kinship certificates (Apostilled)
• Proof of subsistence: EUR 285/member (2026); legacy EUR 500 adult / EUR 150 minor on some pages
• Health insurance (min EUR 30,000)
• Criminal record certificate (if over 14 and resided abroad 12+ months)
• A1 Latvian for spouses (2026), except where main applicant is a highly qualified specialist
• X-ray report on arrival

Required Documents

• Valid travel document/passport required
• Application form required
• Photo required
• Marriage/kinship certificates (Apostilled) required
• Proof of subsistence required
• Health insurance (min EUR 30,000) required
• Criminal record certificate (if over 14 and resided abroad 12+ months)
• X-ray report (on arrival) required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Sponsor obtains invitation approval

   Sponsor obtains invitation approval at OCMA.

2. 2

   Member applies abroad

   Family member applies at a Latvian diplomatic mission abroad.

3. 3

   OCMA review

   Processing 5-30 days depending on fee level.

4. 4

   Enter and finalize

   On arrival, declare residence and submit X-ray report and insurance; collect ID card.

Official Sources

• Official OCMA (PMLP) — Family unification · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP)
• Official EU Immigration Portal — Family member Latvia · European Commission (DG Home Affairs)
• Official OCMA (PMLP) — State fee for issuing a residence permit (authoritative fees) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP)

Requirements

• Must be a third-country national employed by an OECD-registered employer or self-employed in an OECD country
• Prior employment with current employer for at least 6 months (if employed)
• Income of at least 2.5× Latvian average monthly gross wage (currently approx. EUR 3,192.50–4,213/month)
• Health insurance with minimum EUR 42,600 liability, valid in Latvia and Schengen states
• Proof of confirmed place of residence in Latvia
• Valid travel document (passport)
• Must perform work remotely — no right to employment in Latvia

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Completed visa application questionnaire required
• Photograph (taken within the last 6 months) required
• Health insurance policy (minimum EUR 42,600 liability, valid in Latvia and Schengen) required
• Proof of confirmed accommodation/residence in Latvia required
• State fee payment confirmation required
• Employment verification from OECD-country tax authority or social insurance institution required
• Employer statement confirming at least 6 months of prior employment and remote work capability (if employed) required
• Self-employment registration documents from OECD country (if self-employed) required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Confirm eligibility

   Verify that your employer is registered in an OECD member state (or that you are self-employed in an OECD country) and that you have worked for the employer for at least 6 months.

2. 2

   Prepare documents

   Gather passport, employment verification from OECD-country tax/social authority, employer statement, health insurance, proof of Latvia accommodation, and state fee confirmation.

3. 3

   Submit application

   Submit the visa application via the official PMLP e-form portal or by mail (with a copy of your passport for mail submissions).

4. 4

   Receive visa decision

   PMLP processes the application and issues a long-stay (D-category) visa for one year if all conditions are met.

Official Sources

• Official Getting a Long-Term Visa for Remote Work — PMLP Official Page · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), Latvia
• Official Obtaining a Long-Stay Visa for Remote Work — PMLP Article · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), Latvia
• Official Government Approves Regulation of Remote Work Visas — PMLP · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), Latvia

Requirements

• Five years of continuous lawful residence in Latvia
• Sufficient means of sustenance averaging at least the minimum wage
• A2 Latvian language proficiency or higher
• Valid passport
• Supporting documentation submitted to OCMA

Required Documents

• Valid passport required
• Proof of five years continuous lawful residence required
• Proof of sufficient means of sustenance (>= minimum wage) required
• A2 Latvian language certificate required
• Application form and photo required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Meet residence requirement

   Accumulate five years of continuous lawful residence in Latvia.

2. 2

   Pass language exam

   Demonstrate A2 Latvian language proficiency.

3. 3

   Submit application

   Submit application directly to OCMA with proof of subsistence and supporting documentation.

4. 4

   OCMA review

   Review takes 30 days (EUR 160) or 10 days (EUR 280); on approval, receive permanent residence permit with EU long-term resident status.

Official Sources

• Official OCMA (PMLP) — EU long-term resident status in Latvia · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP)
• Official OCMA (PMLP) — State fee for issuing a residence permit · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP)