Residence Permit in Latvia: Temporary and Permanent

Interested in obtaining residency in Latvia in 2026? Our immigration specialists in Latvia can assist throughout the process and offer complete legal advice to obtain this status. Explore this article and then get in touch with us for extra details.

Quick Facts
Temporary residence permit types	– residence permit based on employment, family reunification or studies; – residence permit based on investment in a Latvian company or (new) in a state-established investment fund
Time needed to obtain the temporary residence permit (approx.)	30 – 90 days
Temporary residence permit validity	1 to 3 years
Documents for obtaining temporary residence	– a completed residence permit application form; – a photo; – confirmation of no criminal record; – proof of subsistence/sufficient funds; – a document confirming the planned place of residence in the Republic of Latvia; – a document confirming payment of the state fees.
Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/municipality register)	– City Council Registration; – Population Register
Dependents can join the temporary permit holder	Yes
Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes	Investors can obtain a residence permit for up to 2 years by investing EUR 50,000/100,000 in a Latvian company (EUR 10,000 state fee); the EUR 250,000 property route was abolished on 15 September 2026.
Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence	5 years
Documents for obtaining permanent residence	– completed residence permit application form; – a photo; – confirmation of no criminal record; – proof of subsistence/sufficient funds; – document confirming the planned place of residence in the Republic of Latvia; – document confirming payment of the state fees.
Naturalization requirements	– should be over the age of 15; – the permanent place of residence has been in Latvia for not less than the last five years; – fluecy in the Latvian language; – have a legal source of income; – should give a pledge of loyalty to the Republic of Latvia
Citizenship after permanent residence	It can be obtained after five years.
Who needs to apply for a residence permit in Latvia	Foreign citizens who intend to stay in Latvia for more than 90 days
Minimum income solicited	Around EUR 780 (the 2026 minimum monthly wage) for persons who do not have a job contract in Latvia
Proof of criminal record	Solicited by the Latvian authorities as part of the residence scheme procedures
What is the ID number?	Issued at the same time as the residence permit in Latvia
Obtaining residency in Latvia by owning a company	Company redomiciliation is permitted to obtain residency in Latvia. Starting a new business is also allowed.
Minimum investment for business formation	EUR 50,000
Other types of investments	Pay at least EUR 10,000 to the Latvian state budget
Authority that issues a residence permit in Latvia	Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA)
Costs for fast issuance of a residence permit in Latvia	Around EUR 450
Other requirements to obtain permanent residence in Latvia	Latvian language at A2 level (tests on the national anthem, history and culture apply to citizenship, not to permanent residence)
Benefits of a residence permit in Latvia	Foreigners can access special assistance services, compensations, allowance, other support payments.
Visa-free access to EU countries (YES/NO)	YES
Residence permits for students in Latvia (YES/NO)	YES
Legalization of documents solicited	Some documents might need to be translated and legalized.
Why work with our law firm in Latvia?	We offer: – legal advice on immigration matters, – support in preparing the documents, – affordable prices for our legal services.

When is it required to apply for residency in Latvia?

After 90 days of living/visiting Latvia, if you want to prolong your stay.

Where is the residence permit application done in Latvia?

At the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) in Latvia.

What are the routes to get residency in Latvia?

job offers in Latvia,
family reunification,
investments.

What are the key requirements to obtain a residence permit in Latvia?

present a work contract by securing a job in Latvia in 2026,
prepare various documents and pay the fees,
present a clear criminal record,
provide information about the current domicile in Latvia,
deposit the required minimum investment if you want to access residency through this route.

What are the documents solicited for a residency application in Latvia?

a copy of the applicant’s passport;
information about the applicant’s marital status, family members, and education;
proof of residential address in Latvia;
a document confirming the applicant’s stay in Latvia, such as an employment contract;
proof of health insurance;
proof of payment of the registration fee.

Below you can discover an infographic with details about how to get residency in Latvia:

How can I get residency by investment in Latvia?

These are the options:

the real estate option (EUR 250,000 plus a 5% state fee) was abolished on 15 September 2026; applications accepted earlier are examined under the old rules (click here for info about property purchase conditions),
starting from EUR 50,000 invested in a business in Latvia, plus EUR 10,000 as a state fee imposed,
at least EUR 150,000 (plus a EUR 10,000 state fee) invested with a state-established alternative investment fund manager (new route; the bond and bank-capital routes were abolished on 15 September 2026) for at least 5 years.

How can I secure a residence permit through employment in Latvia?

by getting and accepting a job offer in Latvia,
presenting education diplomas/degrees and qualifications,
providing a clear criminal record, a work contract, and a valid passport,
the application is submitted to OCMA.

IMPORTANT! Highly qualified applicants can obtain the EU Blue card and should earn at least 1.5 times the average salary in Latvia in 2026.

Can I relocate with my company to Latvia in exchange for residency?

If an individual owns a company in his/her home country, he/she can incorporate its representative office in Latvia to obtain residency.

How can I get a permanent residence permit (PR) in Latvia?

after 5 years of living in Latvia,
demonstrating A2 Latvian language level,
passing a history & culture test,
not being absent for more than 6 consecutive months or 10 months in total during the 5 years.

What is the validity of a temporary residence permit in Latvia?

One year with the possibility of extension.

Here is a video presentation about residence permits in Latvia:

When can I apply for a permanent residence permit in Latvia?

After 5 years of living with a temporary residence permit in Latvia.

What is the timeframe to get residency in Latvia?

About 3 months from the date of the application.

What are the benefits of a residence permit in Latvia?

visa-free travel throughout the Schengen area,
no taxation on reinvested profits, if residency was obtained through investments in Latvia by starting a business,
after 5 years of permanent residency in Latvia, individuals can apply for citizenship.

What benefits can you acquire from Latvian residency as a third-country national?

As a third-country national, if you get permanent residence in Latvia, you can get the following social security benefits:

assistance services if suffering from Group I visual disability;
compensation for transport expenses in case of any disability;
proper care in case of any disability;
as a third-country national, you can get benefits for the birth of a child;
receive allowance for child care;
get proper care for your child in case he/she is disabled;
if you are a guardian of a child, the Latvian authorities provide you with support payments;
you can get support payments for performing the role of foster parents;
receive support payments from the Latvian authorities for adopting a child.

Contact our attorneys in Latvia for details about the residence permit in Latvia, and solicit legal advice. We can manage the Latvian PR requirements.