Latvia study residence permit

People who will study at an accredited educational institution in Latvia and can provide the documents required for their type of studies.

• Study at an accredited institution

  The studies must be at an accredited educational institution in Latvia.

  pmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource

• Prove your studies

  Submit an agreement on studies in Latvia for studies at an accredited higher educational establishment. For a general educational institution, submit its attestation or statement showing the expected duration of studies.

  pmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource

• Have an approved invitation

  Before the documents are submitted, the person inviting you must confirm the invitation with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

  pmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource

• Have a valid travel document

  Present a valid travel document recognised in Latvia.

  pmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource

• Prove sufficient funds

  Submit a document proving the necessary means of subsistence. The Office’s subsistence page states EUR 780 per month for cases not covered by its listed exceptions and EUR 234 per month for a minor child, from 1 April 2026.

  pmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource

• Provide a criminal record document where required

  For studies at an accredited higher educational establishment, an applicant older than 14 must submit a statement on punishability from the competent authority of their country of citizenship or residence if they have lived in that country for longer than 12 months.

  pmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource

• Name a responsible adult if under 18

  For a student under 18 attending a general educational institution, submit the specified notarised or officially signed document naming the person responsible for the student during their stay in Latvia.

  pmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource

• Temporary residence permit application review within 30 dayspmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource€160 per person
• Optional application review within 10 working dayspmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource€280 per person
• Optional application review within 5 working dayspmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource€560 per person
• Residence permit identity card within 10 working dayspmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource€45 per person
• Optional residence permit identity card within 2 working dayspmlp.gov.lv · checked 2 hours agoSource€80 per person
• Decision timeThe published standard period is for reviewing temporary residence permit documents, not for the entire journey from submitting documents abroad to receiving the identity card. Faster review options are stated in working days.About 4 weeks

1. Get ready

   • Arrange your studies

     Obtain a study agreement from an accredited higher educational establishment, or the required attestation or statement from a general educational institution.

     You’ll need: Study agreement or educational institution attestation or statement

   • Have your invitation approved

     Ask the person inviting you to confirm the invitation with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs before you submit your documents.

     You’ll need: Approved invitation

   • Gather your documents

     Prepare your travel document, application form, photograph, proof of subsistence, study document and any documents required for your circumstances.

     You’ll need: Travel document, Residence permit application form, Photograph, Proof of subsistence, Study document

   • Obtain a criminal record document if required

     If applying for higher education studies, obtain the statement on punishability when the age and residence conditions in the guidance apply to you.

     You’ll need: Statement on punishability, if required

2. Apply

   • Pay the state fee

     Pay the state fee for your chosen application review period and provide the payment document with your application.

     You’ll need: Document confirming payment of the state fee

   • Submit your application

     If you are outside Latvia, submit your first residence permit application to a Latvian embassy abroad, or have an authorised representative of the educational institution submit the documents to the Office.

     You’ll need: Residence permit application and supporting documents

3. Visa

   • Arrange entry after approval

     If you need a visa to travel to Latvia to obtain the residence permit card, apply for the long-stay visa after a positive residence permit decision.

     You’ll need: Positive residence permit decision, Visa application documents, if a visa is required

4. Settle in

   • Collect your residence permit card

     After arriving in Latvia, arrange a visit to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs to obtain the residence permit card.

     You’ll need: Residence permit decision

After completing a full-time master’s or doctoral programme at a Latvian higher education institution and obtaining a state-recognised diploma, a graduate may request a separate residence permit within three months of obtaining the diploma; that permit may be issued for up to six months.

• The necessary subsistence | Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvaldepmlp.gov.lvOfficial
• State fee for issuing the residence permit | Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvaldepmlp.gov.lvOfficial
• Studies at an accredited higher educational establishment | Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvaldepmlp.gov.lvOfficial
• Are you planning to obtain a residence permit to study? Find out how to do it! | Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvaldepmlp.gov.lvOfficial
• www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/uzbekistan/entry-into-schengen/residence-permitsOfficial
• How long may the residence permit be issued for? | Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvaldepmlp.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.