Latvia visa with the right to employment

Foreigners who intend to work in Latvia on the basis of a visa, including those who would not otherwise need a visa to enter.

• Employment agency opinion

  The employer must obtain an opinion from the State Employment Agency before arranging the invitation.

  pmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource

• Employer invitation

  The employer must arrange an invitation with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

  pmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource

• Employment contract

  If the work is under an employment contract or company contract, the employer must submit a certified copy of the contract or its draft when requesting the invitation.

  pmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource

• Qualifications or experience

  For a regulated profession, the employer must submit a copy of a document recognising the foreigner's professional qualification. For a profession that is not regulated, the employer must submit a legalised and certified copy of an education document or a document certifying three years of experience in the profession, with a certified translation into the official language. The guidance lists exceptions for specified company roles.

  pmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource

• Financial means

  From 1 April 2026, an applicant seeking a visa and the right to employment must have means of financial subsistence of no less than the previous year's average monthly gross wage in the relevant sector, or the minimum wage set by the sectoral general agreement. If the sector's average exceeds Latvia's previous-year average monthly gross wage, the stated amount is no less than EUR 1,815.

  mfa.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource

• Valid travel document

  The passport or other travel document must have been issued within the past ten years, be valid for at least three months beyond the intended departure from the Schengen territory, and contain at least two empty visa pages.

  mfa.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource

• Application documents

  Submit a completed and signed visa application form, one colour photograph measuring 35 mm × 45 mm, and supporting documents showing the purpose of travel, accommodation or means to pay for it, sufficient means for the stay and return or onward journey, and information enabling assessment of the intention to leave before the visa expires.

  mfa.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource

• Travel medical insurance

  Present a valid policy covering urgent medical care, emergency hospital treatment and repatriation in the event of death. The stated minimum cover is EUR 30,000 for a short-stay visa or EUR 42,600 for a long-stay visa.

  mfa.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource

• Apply before entering

  Obtain the visa with the right to employment at a competent Latvian representation abroad before entering Latvia, even if a visa would not be needed for entry for another purpose.

  pmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource

• Short-stay C visa application, applicant aged 12 or overmfa.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource€90 per person
• Long-stay D visa applicationmfa.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource€90 per person
• Employer's invitation approval requestpmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource€17 once
• Employer's invitation approval request submitted through the specified online form, instead of the EUR 17 request feepmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource€10 once
• Additional invitation fee for each person includedpmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource€10 per person
• Additional invitation fee for requesting each person's right to employmentpmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource€85 per person
• Decision timeFor a D visa, a decision is made within 15 calendar days after all documents are submitted; further information or scrutiny may extend this to at most 60 days. For a C visa, a decision is made within 15 calendar days of lodging the application, or up to 45 calendar days in individual cases. These ar2 weeks to 2 months

1. Get ready

   • Arrange the proposed work

     Agree the proposed work with the employer so it can provide an employment contract or draft where required.

     You’ll need: Employment contract or draft

   • Have the employer obtain an opinion

     The employer must obtain the State Employment Agency's opinion on recruiting a foreigner.

   • Have the employer arrange an invitation

     The employer must request approval of an invitation from the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

     You’ll need: Invitation request, Employment contract or draft, Qualification or experience documents where required

   • Prepare your visa documents

     Complete and sign the application form and gather the travel document, photograph, insurance policy and required supporting documents.

     You’ll need: Passport or other travel document, Signed visa application form, 35 mm × 45 mm colour photograph, Travel medical insurance policy, Supporting documents

2. Apply

   • Apply at a Latvian representation abroad

     Submit the documents at a competent Latvian representation before entering Latvia; the published timing rules differ for C and D visas.

     You’ll need: Visa application and supporting documents

   • Pay the visa application fee

     Pay the applicable visa fee when applying.

3. Visa

   • Check the employment remark on the visa

     The visa must contain the remark confirming the right to employment appropriate to the purpose of entry and type of work.

     You’ll need: Visa bearing a right-to-employment remark

4. Travel

   • Enter Latvia before starting work

     When you arrive

     Travel with the visa bearing confirmation of the right to employment; paid employment is permitted only if that confirmation has been obtained.

     You’ll need: Visa bearing a right-to-employment remark, Valid travel document

• Travel medical insurance policy | Ārlietu ministrijamfa.gov.lvOfficial
• State fees for the issuance of a visa and services related thereto | Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvaldepmlp.gov.lvOfficial
• Approval of written invitation | Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvaldepmlp.gov.lvOfficial
• Processing of visa applications and prior consultation | Ārlietu ministrijamfa.gov.lvOfficial
• Visa with the right to employment | Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvaldepmlp.gov.lvOfficial
• Documents required to apply for a visa | Ārlietu ministrijamfa.gov.lvOfficial
• Visa application fees | Ārlietu ministrijamfa.gov.lvOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.