Latvia immigration and residence options in 2026

Latvia's immigration framework changed on 15 September 2026, when a new Immigration Law took effect. This guide prioritises the current PMLP/OCMA announcement over older official pages that remain searchable.

Current route map

• Remote Work Long-Stay Visa
• Startup Founder Residence
• Self-Employed Residence
• Business and Board-Member Options
• Share-Capital Investor Residence
• Employment Residence
• EU Blue Card
• Studies and Graduate Options
• Family Reunification
• EU Long-Term Resident Status

Remote workers

The Remote Work Long-Stay Visa is a one-year visa for qualifying OECD-linked employees and self-employed professionals. The current PMLP income threshold is EUR 4,538 per month, with at least six months of supporting employment/self-employment evidence. It does not grant the right to take employment in Latvia.

Founders, self-employed professionals and business operators

Innovative founders should start with Startup Founder Residence. Ordinary local independent activity is covered separately under Self-Employed Residence, while company officers should review Business and Board-Member Options.

Investor residence after the September 2026 reform

Share-Capital Investor Residence remains distinct from the investment grounds removed by the reform. The new law eliminated new residence permits based on property purchase and subordinated bank liabilities.

A new EUR 150,000 state alternative-investment-fund ground exists in law, but PMLP says the relevant fund has not yet been established, so it is not currently usable.

Employment and highly qualified work

Long-term local employment uses Employment Residence. Highly qualified workers should separately review the EU Blue Card, whose current 2026 remuneration benchmarks are EUR 2,723 generally or EUR 2,178 for specified shortage professions.

Study, family and settlement

Studies and Graduate Options must be read with the September reform: student accompanying-family rights are now restricted to NATO-country citizens or doctoral students.

Family Reunification depends on sponsor status. Latvia now uses EU Long-Term Resident Status as the general permanent-residence status, with at least five years of temporary residence plus applicable means and A2 Latvian requirements.

Official starting points: PMLP/OCMA and LIAA.

Explore Europe, work visas, entrepreneur visas, investor visas, digital nomad visas, methodology, and the legal disclaimer.

Related published research: Lithuania, Poland, Finland, and Sweden.

Published pathways