Student Residence Permit

To come to the Republic of Latvia as a student you must be registered at a university or to another institution of higher education.

If you plan to study in the Republic of Latvia for less than 90 days, you do not need to apply for a residence permit.

Students must receive an official invitation from the university. The invitation is filed at the Office of Citizenship and Migration (OCMA) by the university representative. Students must provide the invitation number upon submitting the documents at the Embassy of Republic of Latvia.

a document confirming the necessary subsistence, an agreement on studies in the Republic of Latvia.

Further requirements Upon arrival and having received your residence permit, you must declare your place of residence and provide a radiologist's report on the results of an x-ray or fluoroscopic examination done in the Republic of Latvia and a health insurance of minimum 42 600 euros which guarantees the covering of health expenses, including repatriation to the country of origin in case of serious illness or death.

Employment during studies During the studies, students may work up to 20 hours per week for any employer, while during study holidays students may work up to 40 hours per week. Graduate and postgraduate students may work up to 40 hours per week.

Family members The student can prove that there are sufficient resources at his/her disposal to provide for him-/herself and his/her family member. Financial resources must correspond to the minimum monthly wage (500 euros in 2021).

Duration of validity of permits The residence permit is granted for a period, which exceeds the study period indicated in the study agreement by four months, while the residence permit card is issued for 1 year (it must be registered) (renewed annually).

The permit is not renewed if the student has not made progress in his/her studies. The progress is considered as insufficient if: the study term exceeds the term stated in the study agreement of more than one year if the initial study agreement has been concluded for a period of up to 3 years, the study term exceeds the term stated in the study agreement of more than two years if the initial study agreement has been concluded for a period exceeding 3 years,

during the last five years before submitting the application for a residence permit has been suspended from the study programme at least twice due to educational underachievement or non-fulfilment of the conditions contained in the study contract, during the last five years before submitting the application for a residence permit at least twice has started his/her studies in a study programme and has discontinued them prior to successful completion of the study programme.

Stay and employment after studies After graduation students can apply for a temporary residence permit up to 9 months, to seek employment or start a business. After this period students can apply for a new residence permit for an employment. Applications can be submitted without leaving the territory of the Republic of Latvia.

Long-term residence Only half of the study period qualifies for obtaining a long-term resident status.