Obtaining a Residence Permit in Latvia

A Latvian residence permit (residence card) is a document that allows an immigrant to legally stay in the country for an extended period. Holding a residence permit in Latvia enables a foreign national to live in the country lawfully, pursue education, obtain a European-style driver’s license, engage in employment, and more.

Obtaining a Latvian residence permit grants immigrants the right to travel freely within the Schengen Area, access the banking system, and receive free healthcare services covered by insurance. After five years of residing in the country as a temporary resident, a foreign national may apply for permanent residence, and another five years later, they may be eligible to apply for Latvian citizenship.

You can apply for a residence permit in Latvia on several grounds: property purchase, employment, family reunification, investment, marriage, starting a business or startup, or medical treatment. To obtain a Latvian residence permit, the applicant must submit a set of documents confirming their legal basis for requesting temporary resident status. The applicant’s spouse and underage children are also eligible to apply for a residence permit simultaneously.

Types of Residence Permits in Latvia

Since 2012, the Latvian residence permit has been issued in the form of an eID card. This document confirms the foreign national’s identity and their legal right to reside in the country.

Temporary Residence Permit

A Latvian temporary residence permit is an authorization to reside in the Republic of Latvia legally for a period up to 5 years. The duration of stay under a residence permit can range from six months to five years, depending on the grounds on which the permit was granted.

If the residence permit is issued for more than one year, it must be registered annually.

Permanent Residence Permit (PRP)

The following categories of individuals may apply for a Latvian permanent residence permit:

• Minor children of Latvian citizens or immigrants who already hold PRP.
• Foreigners granted refugee status, along with their family members.
• Parents or spouses of Latvian passport holders.
• Repatriates and their family members.
• Foreigners who have held a Latvian temporary residence permit for at least five years, without being absent from the country for more than six consecutive months or more than one year in total during this period.

To obtain permanent residence, the applicant must have an A2 level Latvian language certificate. However, the following individuals are exempt from the language test:

• Foreigners educated in state-accredited institutions where instruction was in Latvian.
• Immigrants over the age of 75.
• Children under 15 years old.
• Foreigners who passed the Latvian language exam as part of a European school bachelor’s program.
• Those exempted for health reasons.

A permanent resident who has lived in Latvia for five years may then apply for Latvian citizenship.

How to Obtain a Residence Permit in Latvia

Foreigners citizens can apply for a Latvian residence permit on the following grounds:

• Investments.
• Purchase of real estate.
• Employment.
• Marriage.
• Family reunification.
• Business immigration.
• Startup.
• Medical treatment.

Applications for residence permits can be submitted through Latvian diplomatic and consular missions, or directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For Russians and Belarusians, if the applicant’s case is deemed to be in the interests of the Latvian state, the Ministry of the Interior grants the residence permit. However, if it is established that the applicant’s true purpose for requesting residency does not align with the reasons stated in the documents, or if the applicant is considered a risk for illegal immigration, the application will be rejected.

A residence permit may also be granted if:

• The applicant is a close relative (spouse, children, parents, grandparents, grandchildren) or a dependent of a Latvian citizen.
• The applicant is a family member of a citizen of the EU, EEA countries, or Switzerland.
• The applicant’s entry into Latvia is justified on humanitarian grounds (threats to health or life, serious illness of a close relative, or a funeral).

All visa applications are assessed individually. According to the Law on Immigration, there are more than 20 legal grounds for obtaining a Latvian residence permit for migrants from post-Soviet countries. The most common options for obtaining temporary residence will be discussed in the following sections.

Residence Permit Through Investment

An investor can obtain a temporary residence permit in Latvia under the following conditions:

1. Investment in the Share Capital of a New or Existing Company.
   This program requires a minimum investment of €50,000 in a company with an annual turnover of at least €10,000,000 and fewer than 50 employees. In this case, no more than 10 foreign investors can apply for residence permits under the same company.

   If the investment exceeds €100,000 in a company that has created more than 50 jobs and has an annual turnover above €10,000,000, there is no limit on the number of applicants for residence permits.

   To complete the temporary residence process, the applicant must pay a state fee of €10,000.

2. Investment in the Subordinated Capital of Local Credit Institutions.
   The minimum investment required is €280,000, with a minimum deposit term of 5 years. Upon applying for residency, the investor must pay a one-time contribution of €25,000.
3. Purchase of Non-Interest-Bearing Government Bonds.
   The investment amount must be at least €250,000. The process for obtaining a Latvian residence permit through bonds involves initial approval of temporary resident status, followed by the purchase of securities. To receive the residence permit, the investor must pay a fee of €38,000.

The main applicant’s spouse and underage children (under 18 years old) may apply for a Latvian residence permit at the same time. Family members must submit documents confirming their relationship to the main applicant as part of the application process.

These fees are applicable for the review and processing of submitted documents during the residence permit application procedure.

Residence Permit in Latvia Through Investment

The Latvian residence permit by investment is issued for a period of 5 years. To obtain a renewal of the temporary residence permit, the application must be submitted no later than 90 days before the expiration date of the current permit. The renewal fee is €5,000.

If the applicant submits the request later than 90 days before the permit’s expiration, the application will be reviewed under the initial application conditions, and the full set of fees and requirements will apply again.

Residence Permit Through Real Estate Purchase

A residence permit in Latvia can be obtained through the Golden Visa program, which offers residency in exchange for investing in real estate.

The applicant must purchase one property located in Riga, Jurmala, Ikskile, Saulkrasti, Marupe, Adazi, Olaine, Salaspils, or in the parishes of Stopini, Garkalne, Ropazi, Saulkrasti, or Tinuzhi. Alternatively, the applicant may buy two properties outside of the listed regions.

Note: The purchase of forestry or agricultural land is not permitted under this program. Additionally, the applicant cannot purchase real estate from a foreigner who is not a Latvian resident or from a legal entity not registered in the EU or EEA.

• Minimum real estate investment: €250,000.
• Payment method: Must be non-cash (bank transfer).
• Government fee: A one-time payment of 5% of the property value must be made to the state budget upon application.

Eligibility Criteria for Real Estate-Based Residence Permit

The applicant must meet the following conditions:

• be at least 18 years old;
• have no outstanding property tax debts (if the applicant has owned the property for over a year);
• prove financial solvency: Minimum monthly income: €1,500. For family immigration, the subsistence minimum is considered: €500 per adult and €150 per minor;
• have no criminal record.

The applicant’s spouse and underage children (under 18 years) may also apply for a residence permit. Supporting documents confirming family relationships must be submitted when applying.

Expenses Related to Processing Residence Permit Applications

A residence permit obtained under the Golden Visa program is granted for 5 years. To renew the permit, the applicant must pay a €5,000 renewal fee. If the renewal request is submitted less than 3 months before the expiration of the previous permit, the residence permit is processed under the conditions of an initial application, meaning all requirements and fees for a first-time application apply.

Residence Permit Through Employment

Having a signed employment contract with a Latvian employer serves as grounds to apply for entry permission and a residence permit. Before hiring a foreign worker, the employer must obtain a permit confirming that no suitable candidates could be found among Latvian or other EU nationals.

A special case of employment-based residence is the EU Blue Card. This is issued to foreigners who have higher education and have signed a job contract with a salary that is at least 1.5 times higher than the national average. Blue Card holders are allowed to bring their family to Latvia.

The Latvian residence permit for employment is issued for the duration of the contract, with a maximum validity of 5 years. If a Blue Card holder’s employment contract is for less than 5 years, the residence permit is issued for the contract duration plus 3 additional months.

However, amendments to the Immigration Law have significantly restricted the ability of foreigners to obtain both initial and renewed Latvian residence permits. Foreign nationals may now apply for a work-based residence permit only in the following cases:

• If the stay in the country is connected to employment regulated by EU legal acts. The residence permit is valid for one year.
• If the employment involves participation in a cooperation project with a scientific institution listed in the Latvian Register of Scientific Institutions and compliant with EU standards. The residence permit is issued for one year.
• If the immigrant, who has legal work rights in Latvia, has been employed in the country for the past three months, continues to work at the time of application, and personal income tax (PIT) has been paid during the entire period. In this case, the temporary residence status is extended for one year.

Additional expenses of a foreigner and his/her family members when applying for a Latvian residence permit through work :

Residence Permit Through Marriage

A spouse of a Latvian citizen or of an immigrant with permanent residence in Latvia may apply for temporary resident status. According to the Immigration Law, a Latvian residence permit through marriage is issued as follows:

• First application – valid for 1 year.
• Second application – extended for 4 years.
• Third application – the applicant becomes eligible to apply for permanent residence (PR).

Minor children (under 18 years old) from previous marriages may also obtain a residence permit together with the main applicant. Exceptions apply in cases where:

• the child cannot leave their current country of residence due to legal restrictions, or;
• the child is already married and managing an independent household.

If the marriage is terminated before the foreign spouse receives permanent residence, the temporary residence permit is revoked. A former spouse may only apply for permanent resident status if a Latvian court grants them custody of a minor child who is a Latvian citizen.

Additional expenses of a foreigner and his family members when obtaining a Latvian residence permit by marriage :

Marriages with foreign nationals are thoroughly examined to verify the authenticity of the relationship.

If it is determined that the marriage is fictitious, the foreign spouse will be deported and banned from entering not only Latvia but also other European countries for several years.

Residence Permit Through Family Reunification

The following individuals may apply for a Latvian residence permit through family reunification:

• Elderly parents of Latvian passport holders, non-citizens, or foreigners with permanent residence in Latvia.
• Adult children of Latvian citizens.
• Persons who have a blood relationship with a citizen, non-citizen, or foreigner with Latvian permanent residence, provided the relationship is no further than the third degree of kinship.

Note on Non-Citizens:

In Latvia, the term «non-citizen» refers to individuals who resided in the country in 1991, along with their descendants, who were not granted citizenship after Latvia regained independence and who do not hold Latvian passports.

Non-citizens do not have voting rights, but all other civil rights are largely identical to those of citizens.

Key Requirements

The main documents required for a Latvian residence permit through family reunification are those that confirm the family relationship.

• The validity period of a first-time permit depends on the type of familial relationship, ranging from a minimum of 6 months to a maximum of 1 year.
• Close blood relatives may receive a 4-year residence permit upon renewal, followed by eligibility for permanent residence.
• Minor children are immediately granted permanent residence status.

Additional costs when obtaining a Latvian residence permit through family reunification:

Residence Permit for Business Purposes

The following persons may apply for a Latvian residence permit for business purposes:

Foreigners who have registered a Latvian company.
To complete registration, the foreigner must prepare a detailed business plan, have it endorsed by the economic authority, and provide documentary evidence of sufficient funds to implement the plan, as well as any required operating license. Such applicants may receive a residence permit valid for up to 5 years.

Executive officers of foreign companies seconded or transferred to a Latvian branch.
The applicant must be registered in Latvia, work in the country for at least 1 year, and pay taxes. Appointment documents for the relevant position are required. The maximum validity of a residence permit for executives is 5 years; for transferred employees, up to 3 years; and for trainees, up to 1 year.

Self-employed foreigners.
To obtain self-employment status in Latvia, foreigners must submit paperwork similar to that required of entrepreneurs. However, their residence permit is issued for only 1 year.

Representatives of central offices of foreign companies.
The applicant must provide documentation proving that the company has operated for over 5 years, has annual turnover of at least €10,000,000, and pays taxes on time. The residence permit is granted for a period not exceeding 2 years.

Employees of foreign companies sent to Latvia to provide services.
To apply, one must submit company registration documents and an official letter from company management assigning the employee to provide services. The residence permit is issued for the duration of the service engagement, but not exceeding 1 year.

Additional costs of obtaining a temporary residence permit in Latvia:

Residence Permit via Startup

A foreign national can obtain a Latvian residence permit by founding a company engaged in the development and implementation of innovative or high-technology ideas. The requirements for applicants in this category are:

• Board membership: The foreign national must serve as a member of the startup’s board of directors.
• Company age: The company in which this activity will take place must have been established no earlier than one year before the date of application.
• Minimum investment: To implement the business idea, the applicant must invest at least €30,000 into the startup if investors’ combined share in the authorised capital is 30%, or at least €15,000 if their share does not exceed 15%.

The residence permit granted under the startup scheme is valid for 3 years. The spouse and minor children of the principal applicant may apply for temporary-resident status alongside the main applicant.

Additional costs of obtaining a temporary residence permit in Latvia:

Residence Permit for Medical Treatment

A foreign national is entitled to a Latvian residence permit if they undergo treatment in Latvian medical institutions that requires staying in the country for more than 90 days within a six-month period.

To obtain temporary-resident status, the applicant must, in addition to the standard documentation, present a contract with a Latvian healthcare institution confirming the provision of medical services. The residence permit is issued for a period corresponding exactly to the duration of the treatment.

Additional costs of obtaining a temporary residence permit in the Republic of Latvia:

Required Documents

When applying for a Latvian residence permit, the immigrant must submit the following:

• a valid foreign passport and copies of all its filled-in pages;
• the applicant’s national ID (internal) passport and copies of the pages containing personal data and the registration stamp;
• a completed residence-permit application form;
• a color photo, 3.5 × 4.5 cm, white background;
• a certificate of no criminal record (required for applicants over 14 years old);
• proof of financial means (e.g., employment contract, bank statements, sponsor letters, etc.);
• evidence of accommodation in Latvia (e.g., title deed to property owned by the applicant, long-term lease agreement, owner’s consent to use their residential premises, etc.).

Depending on the basis for the permit, the following additional documents may be required:

• Company registration documents (for business-immigration permits).
• Marriage certificate and children’s birth certificates (for family-reunification permits).
• Certificate from the medical institution (for treatment-based permits).
• Employment contract (for work permits).

All documents may be submitted in Latvian, English, French, Russian, or German. Consular fees are paid by bank card on site when the application is lodged.

Official documents issued to Russian, Belarusian, and other nationals of countries party to the Hague Apostille Convention must be legalized with an apostille from the competent authorities of the issuing state.

Validity Period and Renewal of Residence Permits

Under Latvian immigration law, the validity of a temporary-resident permit depends on the basis for which it was issued:

Renewal of a residence permit in Latvia is not provided for – a migrant must apply for a new permit. If the grounds for continued stay in the country persist and the foreign national still meets the eligibility requirements (funds, accommodation, etc.), the applicant should contact the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs to apply for a new residence permit.

The list of documents required for a subsequent application is the same as for the initial permit. The complete dossier must be submitted 30–90 days before the current permit’s expiration.

An application for a new permit may be submitted in one of two ways:

• By e-mail, after digitally signing the documents with an electronic signature.
• By registered post, indicating your e-mail address and contact telephone number.

Rights and Benefits of a Latvian Residence Permit

A Latvian residence permit grants a foreign national the right to:

• use the banking system;
• travel visa-free within the Schengen Area;
• study at Latvian educational institutions of various accreditation levels;
• work;
• access medical facilities and receive free care covered by insurance;
• enroll children free of charge in state preschools and schools;
• take the driving-license exam and obtain a license valid throughout the EU;
• after five years of residence on a temporary permit, apply for permanent residence—and thereafter, for Latvian citizenship.

Foreigners are attracted to Latvia’s residence-permit benefits by:

• a flexible tax system that considers investors’ and entrepreneurs’ interests;
• affordable cost of living relative to income levels;
• clean environment and picturesque nature;
• medieval architectural masterpieces;
• high-quality food products;
• friendly, welcoming attitude of the local population toward foreigners;
• lower crime rate compared with other Baltic countries;
• the ability to travel freely within EU countries.

Cancellation of Residence Permits in Latvia

Under Article 35 of the «Immigration Law», a Latvian residence permit may be revoked in the following cases:

• The immigrant provided false information or forged documents when applying—for example, the declared place of residence contains deliberately distorted data, or the marriage is sham.
• The applicant lacks the necessary financial means to remain in Latvia.
• Circumstances that formed the basis for granting the permit have changed.
• Competent state authorities determine that the applicant has publicly justified genocide or war crimes, or that their actions pose a threat to national security or public order.
• The temporary resident has unpaid tax liabilities exceeding €150, except for tax payments whose deadlines have been extended.
• A foreign student holding a residence permit for study fails to achieve the required academic performance.
• The applicant employed or provided housing to a foreign national who is illegally residing in Latvia.
• The applicant commits a criminal offense.

Revocation of the residence permit applies not only to the principal permit holder but also to their spouse, minor children, and any persons under their guardianship.

Latvian Residence Permit for EU Citizens

Citizens of the European Union are free to live, work, and study in Latvia. Since Latvia is a member state of the European Union, holders of citizenship of any EU country do not need to obtain an additional residence or work permit to stay or be employed here.

Assistance from a Migration Specialist

A Latvian residence permit is an excellent solution for foreigners wishing to relocate to Europe. To ensure that the application process runs quickly and successfully, it is advisable to seek help from experienced immigration lawyers. They will tailor the optimal immigration route to your individual needs, help prepare your application dossier, and accompany you to the relevant government offices.