Latvia Immigration in  2026: Complete Guide

Latvia immigration is a thrilling prospect as the nation is a leader in the Baltics for innovation and quality of life. Non-EU/EEA nationals will need to obtain a residence permit for stays that exceed 90 days within a 6-month period. This can be acquired for the purposes of work, study, family reunification, or through investment.  

The Latvian Golden Visa is a residency by investment program that provides temporary residence through investment in real estate, business, government bonds, or bank deposits. The starting cost is €50,000 for the business option, and there is no minimum stay requirement to maintain residency.  

Our article explains how to immigrate to Latvia through a step-by-step guide, the current immigration policies of the country, the available avenues for securing a residence permit, the benefits of living in the country, and the costs involved.  

Latvia Immigration: Key Takeaways

Latvia immigration requires a Temporary Residence Permit which can be acquired for work, studies, family reunification, and through investment.  

The Latvia Golden Visa has a starting cost of €50,000, making it one of cheapest residency by investment programs in Europe.  

Moving to Latvia requires confirming eligibility for one of the Visa options, preparing documents, and having biometrics taken in the country.  

Benefits of Latvian Immigration include fast processing times, Schengen Area access, and a low cost of living for a European country.  

As of , Latvia is somewhat tightening its immigration policies with a focus on national security, more demanding language requirements, and a controlled migration of labor.  

Expats receive temporary residency first and can apply for permanent residency after five years of legal, continuous residence in the country as well as passing an A2-level Latvian language test.  

Another important point to note is that, as of late 2024, legislative amendments require employers to justify hiring foreign individuals to the State Employment Agency, and these employees must earn, at least, the sectors average wage. In Latvia, the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) oversees these regulations.  

The policies do not mean that Latvian immigration is impossible by any means. At Global Citizen Solutions (GCS), we have guided many clients through the process, particularly with the Latvia Golden Visa. Our clients now enjoy EU residency through the program.  

Citizens from countries that are not the EU/EEA or Switzerland will need to apply for a long-term visa and/or Temporary Residence Permit if they would like to stay in the country for more than 90 days out of 180. EU citizens will only need to register for longer stays, while non-EU citizens require residency through employment, investment, studies, or family reunion. 

To stay in Latvia for more than 90 days, expats will need a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP). This permit can be obtained for work, studies, family reunification, or through investment. The TRP can be issued for up to 5 years, like with the Golden Visa, or, more commonly, a 1-year permit with renewal options.  

• Employment: Expats will need an invitation from a Latvian employer, and they will need to register with the State Employment Agency.  
• Study: Students that are enrolled in accredited Latvian institutions can apply for a TRP through this avenue.  
• Family Reunification: Latvian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor spouses, children, or dependent family members.  
• Investment (Golden Visa): This option has a starting cost of €50,000 for the investment in a company route. The real estate route has a starting cost of €250,000. All options of the Golden Visa can lead to permanent residency after 5 years and citizenship after 10 years.  

1. Confirm Eligibility: To begin a Latvia immigration, expats will need to confirm that they qualify for one of the listed options for a TRP. When you use GCS, we retain the best Latvia Immigration Lawyer to assist our clients with the process.  
2. Prepare Documentation: Irrespective of the chosen pathway, document preparation is essential for success. Incomplete or incorrect documentation can slow down the process and delay immigration. At GCS, we assist our clients from start to finish, ensuring that they have all their documentation right the first time. 
3. Submit Application: Once preparations have been made, it is time to submit the application to OCMA through either a consulate or embassy in your home country. Additionally, those already in Latvia can submit in person as well.  
4. Biometrics: Applicants will need to be in Latvia for this stage of the process, and they will need to have a photo taken and submit their fingerprints.  
5. Receive Permit: With approval from the authorities, expats will receive their Latvian Temporary Residence Permit. This enables individuals to live, work, and study in the country for periods longer than 90 days.  
6. Pathway to Citizenship: This is an optional, long-term step for those interested in acquiring Latvian citizenship. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after 5 years, and citizenship after 10 years of legal, continuous residence.  

01/ Fast Processing Times 

The TRP application processing times range from 5 days with Expedited Services at higher fees, to around 30 days with the standard process with lower fees. Additionally, the Latvian Golden Visa is one of the fastest in Europe with a processing time of just 2 to 3 months.  

02/ Schengen Access 

As Latvia is a part of the EU, residence permit holders and citizens can enjoy access to all 29 Schengen countries without the need for a visa. This makes traveling within the EU easy and convenient.  

03/ Route to Permanent Residency and Citizenship

After 5 years of legal, continuous residency, expats become eligible for permanent residency. After 10 years, individuals become eligible to apply for citizenship assuming they meet the residency, language, and integration requirements.  

The Latvian Passport ranks 44^th on our Passport Index, which evaluates country’s passports based on their strength and travel access. Latvians have access to over 170 countries either visa-free or visa-on-arrival. 

04/ Familial Inclusion 

Latvian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor family members to join them in the country. Additionally, temporary residents can also sponsor their family members in certain cases such as employment. The Latvia Golden Visa allows investors to include a spouse, dependent children, and dependents who are under guardianship.  

05/ Affordable Cost of Living  

Latvia has an affordable cost of living for an EU country, with single people spending between €950 and €1,200 per month to live in Riga, the capital city. A couple can expect to spend €1,600 to €2,200 per month, and a family of four €3,000 to €4,200 per month. 

06/ High Quality of Life 

Residents of Latvia enjoy a high quality of life ranking 37^th in the world on our Global Intelligence Unit’s Quality of Life Index. The nation boasts world-class healthcare facilities in both the public and private sectors. Additionally, Latvia is a very safe nation with reliable public transport. 

The fee for a Temporary Residence Permit in Latvia ranges from €160 for a 90-day processing time to €560 for a 5 working day processing time. Additionally, a Type D Visa costs €60. There are also small fees for document preparation.  

The Latvian Golden Visa has higher costs but is more accessible because it does not require sponsorship from a Latvian business or individual. The program has a starting cost of €50,000 for the business investment route, which makes it one of the cheapest residency by investment programs in Europe.  

As of recent years, Latvia has seen an increase in migration levels with 2022 marking a shift towards positive net migration. In 2024, approximately 11.6% of the country was made up of expats, which totals roughly 216,000 people.  

The top countries which these expats came from are Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Of the permit types that were issued, work made up 40.4%, family reunification 25.1%, and education 22.6%.