Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Investments, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Real Estate

It could be possible that one of these options would turn out to be perfect for you. Please find below a full list of grounds for obtaining a residence permit in Latvia:

1) once in a calendar year for a period of time which does not exceed six months if he or she is a relative (up to the third degree in direct line or third degree in a collateral line, or also affinity to the third degree) of a Latvian citizen or of a non-citizen of Latvia or of a foreigner who has received a permanent residence permit in Latvia.

2) for a period of time which does not exceed five years, if he or she is an individual merchant registered in the Commercial Register;

3) not longer than for 5 years if he or she has been registered in the Commercial Register as a member of the board of directors or a member of the council, proctor, administrator, liquidator or a member of a partnership having the right to represent the partnership, or a person who is authorised to represent a merchant (foreign merchant) in activities related to a branch if the commercial company or the branch of the foreign merchant has been registered in the Commercial Register for at least one year prior to requesting a residence permit, it is performing active economic activity and its activity provides economic benefit for the Republic of Latvia. This condition shall be applied in relation to an official of the limited liability company registered in the Commercial Register if the equity capital of the limited liability company is at least EUR 2800.

4) for a period not exceeding a year if he or she is a self-employed person;

5) for a period of employment, but not longer than 5 years;

6) for a period of time which does not exceed 4 years if the foreigner is a representative of a representation of a foreign merchant;

7) for a period of time provided for by the scientific co-operation agreement entered into between scientific institutions included in the register of scientific institutions, but not longer than for 5 years;

8) for a period of time of studies of pupils of educational establishments accredited in the Republic of Latvia or full-time students;

9) for a period of time indicated in the contract regarding treatment in an inpatient medical treatment institution;

10) A foreigner who is the spouse of a Latvian citizen or a non-citizen of Latvia,or  a foreigner holding a permanent residence permit is entitled to request:

- when submitting documents for the first time – a temporary residence permit for 1 year;

- when submitting documents for the second time – a temporary residence permit for 4 years;

- when submitting documents for the third time – a permanent residence permit.

11) Parents of a Latvian citizen or a non-citizen of Latvia who have reached the pensionable age laid down in the Republic of Latvia shall be entitled to request:

- when submitting documents for the first time – a temporary residence permit for 1 year;

- when submitting documents for the second time – a temporary residence permit for 4 years;

- when submitting documents for the third time – a permanent residence permit.

12) A foreigner who was a Latvian citizen on 17 June 1940 or if one of his or her parents is a Latvian citizen is entitled to request:

- when submitting documents for the first time – a temporary residence permit for 1 year;

- when submitting documents for the second time – a temporary residence permit for 4 years;

- when submitting documents for the third time – a permanent residence permit.

13) for a period of time for which, in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Asylum Law he or she is granted alternative status;

14) for a period of time which is necessary for the implementation of such international agreements or projects in which the Republic of Latvia is participating;

15) for a period of time which is necessary for the provision of assistance to State or local government institutions of the Republic of Latvia but not longer than 1 year;

16) for a period of time which is necessary for the performance of religious activities but not longer than a year;

17) for a period of time not exceeding 5 years if the foreigner has joined a cloister registered in accordance with procedures laid down in laws and regulations;

18) for a period of time not exceeding 1 year if residence in the Republic of Latvia is related to pupil or student exchange, practice or apprenticeship in one of the educational establishments of the Republic of Latvia or in a commercial company registered in the Commercial Register or performance of another task;

19) for a period of time not exceeding 5 years if he or she has a valid residence permit of a long-term resident of the European Union issued by another Member State of the European Union and there are no grounds to request a temporary residence permit in accordance with any other provision of this Paragraph;

20) for a period of time not exceeding 5 years if a foreigner may enter and reside in the Republic of Latvia according to the procedures laid down in international treaties binding on the Republic of Latvia regarding abolition of visa requirement, he or she has sufficient means of subsistence and he or she has reached pensionable age determined in the Republic of Latvia;

21) for a period of time for which temporary protection has been granted for him or her in accordance with the Asylum Law;

22) for a period of time not exceeding 5 years if a foreigner has invested EUR 35 000 in the equity capital of the capital company by means of increasing it or has invested in the equity capital of the capital company, and it has been performed in a capital company which employs no more than 50 employees, the annual turnover or annual balance of which does not exceed 10 million EUR and which during the economic year pays not less than EUR 40 000 in taxes into both the State budget and local government budget;

23) for a period of time not exceeding 5 years if a foreigner has invested 150 000 EUR in the equity capital of the capital company by means of increasing it or has invested in the equity capital of the capital company, and it has been performed in a capital company which employs more than 50 employees, the annual turnover or annual balance of which exceeds 10 million EUR;

24) for a period of time not exceeding 5 years if a foreigner has purchased one built-up property in Latvia whose value is at least 250 000 EUR and cadastral value at least 80 000 EUR, apart from that 5% of the property’s value should be paid to the state budget;

25) for a period of time not exceeding 5 years if a foreigner has made a long-term deposit for at least 5 years into the Latvian bank in the amount of 280 000 EUR. Apart from that, 25 000 EUR must be paid to the state budget.

Law firm INLAT PLUS is eager to assist its clients in obtaining a residence permit in Latvia based on any of the grounds mentioned above. We will be glad to discuss with you all the questions in respect of obtaining a temporary residence permit and provide you all kinds of services in this regard. 

Law office INLAT PLUS

40 Brivibas Str., apt.15, Riga LV-1050

[email protected]

+37167505970, +37126403577