For a third-country national hired by a Latvian employer after the applicable vacancy and labour-market procedure.
Latvia
Latvia sits in Northern Europe. Its immigration system runs 27 distinct routes — led by work, investment and business & self-employment, each set out in official law. All 27 cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.
- Immigration routes
- 27across 14 route categories, each set out in official law
- Source-cited routes
- 27 of 27cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
- Largest category
- Work5 of the 27 routes — see them under Work below
- Region
- Northern Europe
- Capital
- Riga
- Population
- 1,847,785
- Official language
- Latvian
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- UTC+02:00
Immigration routes
All 27 routes, grouped by purpose — 27 of 27 cite an official government source directly.
Work
5 routes
For highly qualified paid employment in Latvia under a contract or binding offer of at least one year and the applicable salary threshold.
For a manager, specialist or trainee employee transferred within the same corporate group to a Latvian host.
For research under a cooperation agreement with a Latvian scientific institution registered in the scientific-institution register.
For temporary employment in an eligible seasonal activity based on an approved employer invitation.
Investment
3 routes
For ownership of qualifying Latvian real estate purchased for at least €250,000 and meeting cadastral, seller, payment and land-use conditions.
For investment in the share capital of a qualifying Latvian company, with the threshold determined by company size.
For a subordinated obligation of at least €280,000 with a Latvian credit institution for at least five years.
Business & self-employment
3 routes
For a third-country national carrying on approved self-employed activity in Latvia under a viable audited business plan.
For a third-country founder developing an innovative product or scalable business model through a Latvian startup.
For a third-country national entered in the Latvian Commercial Register as a board member, council member, procurator, partnership member with representation rights, administrator, liquidator or authorised representative of a foreign merchant branch, with remuneration or business income of at least twice the previous year average gross monthly wage.
Study
2 routes
For a current higher-education student outside the EU or a graduate within the previous year undertaking related training in Latvia.
For admission to a registered Latvian higher-education institution with an institutional invitation, study agreement, resources and insurance.
Family
2 routes
For a qualifying non-EU family member accompanying or joining an EU citizen exercising free-movement rights in Latvia.
For a spouse, minor child or qualifying dependent family member joining an eligible sponsor lawfully residing in Latvia.
Independent means
1 route
For a foreign retiree who is entitled to visa-free entry under a binding treaty and has sufficient means of subsistence.
Digital nomad
1 route
— No eligibility summary published for this route yet
Residence-based status
3 routes
For an EU citizen who has lived legally and continuously in Latvia for five years under EU free-movement rules.
For a third-country national with five years of continuous lawful residence, sufficient regular means and Latvian-language knowledge.
For a foreigner who has completed a full-time master or doctoral programme at a Latvian higher education institution with a state-recognised diploma, or successfully completed a research project, applying within three months of graduation.
Free movement
1 route
For an EU citizen moving to Latvia to work, study, seek work, be self-employed or live with sufficient resources.
Youth mobility
1 route
For citizens of New Zealand aged 18 to 30 inclusive on the date of application who can show €780 for the start of the stay and the cost of a return trip if no ticket is held.
Cultural, religious & volunteer
2 routes
For a person aged 18 to 30 volunteering in a programme financed by the European Commission or an international organisation.
For a foreigner invited by a religious organisation registered in Latvia to carry out religious activity on its behalf, who can show the required means of subsistence for the period of stay.
Short stay & visit
1 route
For a visa-required third-country national visiting Latvia and the Schengen area for up to ninety days in any 180-day period.
Humanitarian protection
1 route
For a third-country national or stateless person seeking refugee or alternative status in Latvia.
Ancestry & return
1 route
For a third-country national with a Latvian or Liv relative in the direct ascending line.
Official sources
See which Latvia routes you actually qualify for.
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