Moving to Latvia

Under the Immigration Law in force from 15 September 2026, the permit is issued for up to one year, and not where the employer pays micro-enterprise tax (s.27(1)(12)). The employer must register the vacancy with the State Employment Agency (NVA) and receive its opinion that recruiting a foreigner is needed, or the invitation is refused (s.26(1)(11)). Pay, per the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA), figures from 1 April 2026: the average gross monthly wage in the job's sector, but where that is higher than the national average, the national average of EUR 1,815; EUR 234 must also be shown for each minor child. Because the pay floor depends on the sector, no single income figure is set for this route. Family members may apply for a permit for the same term (s.27(3)). Citizens of the Russian Federation cannot apply on this ground (s.27(8)). Permanent residence can follow after five years of continuous residence with a residence permit, with Latvian at level A2 and a course in Latvian culture and history (s.31(1)). Naturalisation then needs five years counted from the permanent residence permit, knowledge of Latvian, of the basic principles of the Satversme, of the national anthem and of Latvian history and culture, a legal source of income, and giving up the previous citizenship (Citizenship Law s.12(1)); a citizen of an EU, EFTA or NATO member state, of Australia, Brazil or New Zealand, or of a country with which Latvia has an agreement recognising dual citizenship is entitled to keep it (s.12(2)).

Under the Immigration Law in force from 15 September 2026, the Blue Card needs a higher-education qualification from a programme of at least three years at level 6 of the Latvian qualifications framework, or higher professional experience accepted as comparable under Cabinet rules (s.1(1)(7)). It is issued for two years, or for the contract term plus three months where the contract is shorter (s.27(1)(13)); OCMA decides within 10 working days, which can be extended (s.33(1)(2)). Pay, per OCMA, figures from 1 April 2026: at least 1.5 times the average gross monthly wage, EUR 2,723 a month, or 1.2 times, EUR 2,178, in a profession on the Cabinet's list of expected significant labour shortages. Family members may apply for a permit for the same term (s.27(3)). Up to three years spent in another EU member state immediately before, as a Blue Card holder, highly qualified worker or researcher among others, count toward permanent residence once the Latvian Blue Card has been held for at least two years (s.31(4)(2)). Permanent residence can follow after five years of continuous residence with a residence permit, with Latvian at level A2 and a course in Latvian culture and history (s.31(1)). Naturalisation then needs five years counted from the permanent residence permit, knowledge of Latvian, of the basic principles of the Satversme, of the national anthem and of Latvian history and culture, a legal source of income, and giving up the previous citizenship (Citizenship Law s.12(1)); a citizen of an EU, EFTA or NATO member state, of Australia, Brazil or New Zealand, or of a country with which Latvia has an agreement recognising dual citizenship is entitled to keep it (s.12(2)).

Under the Immigration Law in force from 15 September 2026, the permit is issued for up to three years to a person planning start-up activity in Latvia, meaning a company with high growth potential whose main activity is developing, producing or improving scalable business models and innovative products, who is not a citizen of a country on the Cabinet's list of countries subject to additional checks (s.27(1)(11)). Within three months of the decision to issue the permit, the founder must be registered as a board member of a company entered in the Commercial Register no earlier than a year before. Within 12 months of the permit, the founder must report an early-stage venture capital investment of the amount set by the Law on Aid for Start-up Companies, or a progress review showing that the company continues developing its innovative product. At most five foreigners can hold permits for one activity, all for the same term. The clause sets no investment of the founder's own. Citizens of the Russian Federation cannot apply on this ground (s.27(8)). Family members may apply for a permit for the same term (s.27(3)). Permanent residence can follow after five years of continuous residence with a residence permit, with Latvian at level A2 and a course in Latvian culture and history (s.31(1)). Naturalisation then needs five years counted from the permanent residence permit, knowledge of Latvian, of the basic principles of the Satversme, of the national anthem and of Latvian history and culture, a legal source of income, and giving up the previous citizenship (Citizenship Law s.12(1)); a citizen of an EU, EFTA or NATO member state, of Australia, Brazil or New Zealand, or of a country with which Latvia has an agreement recognising dual citizenship is entitled to keep it (s.12(2)).

Under the Immigration Law in force from 15 September 2026, the permit is issued for up to two years to a board or council member, procurator, administrator, liquidator or partner with power of representation registered in the Commercial Register, or a person authorised to represent a foreign merchant's branch. The company or branch must pay at least EUR 25,000 in taxes in each reporting year, and a limited liability company must have paid-up share capital of at least EUR 2,800 (s.27(1)(9)). That law lists no residence-permit ground of its own for an individual merchant or a self-employed person (s.27(1)). Income, per OCMA's page (figures from 1 April 2026; the page still cites the former law's clause numbers): double the average gross monthly wage, EUR 3,630 a month; EUR 234 must also be shown for each minor child. Family members may apply for a permit for the same term (s.27(3)). Citizens of the Russian Federation cannot apply on this ground (s.27(8)). Permanent residence can follow after five years of continuous residence with a residence permit, with Latvian at level A2 and a course in Latvian culture and history (s.31(1)). Naturalisation then needs five years counted from the permanent residence permit, knowledge of Latvian, of the basic principles of the Satversme, of the national anthem and of Latvian history and culture, a legal source of income, and giving up the previous citizenship (Citizenship Law s.12(1)); a citizen of an EU, EFTA or NATO member state, of Australia, Brazil or New Zealand, or of a country with which Latvia has an agreement recognising dual citizenship is entitled to keep it (s.12(2)).

Under the Immigration Law in force from 15 September 2026: (1) Company equity: an investment in the share capital of a company, by increasing it or by founding a new one, plus EUR 10,000 paid to the state budget with the first application. At least EUR 50,000 in a company with no more than 50 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet not over EUR 10 million (at most 10 foreigners per company), which must then pay at least EUR 40,000 in taxes each reporting year; or at least EUR 100,000 in a larger company, which must pay at least EUR 100,000 in taxes each reporting year. The permit is issued for up to two years at a time (s.27(1)(10)); a renewal after five years of residence on this ground costs a further EUR 2,000 (s.29(3)). (2) Fund investment: a contract and transfer of at least EUR 150,000, for at least five years, to the manager of an alternative investment fund established by the state, plus EUR 10,000 paid to the state budget; the permit is issued for up to five years (s.27(1)(36)). The law's list of grounds has no real estate, subordinated bank liability or state securities ground (s.27(1)). The Cabinet may suspend new permits on either investor ground for up to five years (s.28). Citizens of the Russian Federation and of Belarus cannot apply on either ground (s.27(7) and (8)). Family members may apply for a permit for the same term (s.27(3)). Permanent residence can follow after five years of continuous residence with a residence permit, with Latvian at level A2 and a course in Latvian culture and history (s.31(1)). Naturalisation then needs five years counted from the permanent residence permit, knowledge of Latvian, of the basic principles of the Satversme, of the national anthem and of Latvian history and culture, a legal source of income, and giving up the previous citizenship (Citizenship Law s.12(1)); a citizen of an EU, EFTA or NATO member state, of Australia, Brazil or New Zealand, or of a country with which Latvia has an agreement recognising dual citizenship is entitled to keep it (s.12(2)).

The Immigration Law in force from 15 September 2026 allows a long-stay visa for staying in Latvia while working remotely for an employer registered in another OECD member state, or as a self-employed person registered in an OECD member state (s.17(6)). The visa is issued for up to one year and one more can follow; after that second visa ends, no new long-stay visa on the same ground can be issued for six months (s.18(2)). Citizens of the Russian Federation cannot apply (s.18(3)). Per OCMA's page (updated 11 February 2026): an employee shows a certificate of current employment from the OECD country's tax or social insurance authority, and the employer's certificate of at least six months' prior employment, of pay of at least 2.5 times the average gross monthly wage, and that the work can be done remotely; a self-employed person shows the tax authority's certificate of at least that income over the last six months. The page puts the figure at EUR 4,213, which is below 2.5 times OCMA's EUR 1,815 average from 1 April 2026 (EUR 4,537.50), so confirm the current amount with OCMA. Health insurance valid in Latvia and the Schengen states with cover of at least EUR 42,600, and documents on the intended place of residence in Latvia, are also required. Holders have no right to employment in Latvia. Time in Latvia on a visa does not count toward the five years needed for permanent residence (s.31(5)), so this route does not lead to permanent residence or naturalisation on its own.