Latvian visa resources
Eligibility for a Latvia long-stay route
A residence permit or long-stay (D) visa is required to stay in Latvia longer than 90 days, granted on specific grounds such as work, family, study or business.
Important
A foreigner who needs to stay in Latvia for more than 90 days within a six-month period must hold either a long-stay (Type D) visa or a residence permit, rather than travelling under short-stay rules. Which one applies depends on the length and purpose of stay: a D visa covers a defined longer visit, while a residence permit is for people establishing residence in Latvia.
Eligibility is tied to a lawful ground for residing in Latvia. A temporary residence permit is issued for a specific reason and for a period linked to that reason (from half a year up to five years); after generally five years of continuous temporary residence a person may qualify for a permanent residence permit.
Main grounds for a temporary residence permit
- Family relations (spouse, children, parents and certain relatives)
- Employment and commercial activity (employees, EU Blue Card holders, merchants, service providers, self-employed, posted staff)
- Investment (capital investment, real estate, business investment)
- Studies and research (university students, researchers, trainees)
- Other categories (religious activity, medical treatment, certain other cases)
How long a permit is issued for (examples)
- Employment: for the period of employment, not exceeding five years
- Spouse/family reunion: one year on first application, then up to four years
- Students: for the period of the studies
- Individual merchant: up to five years; self-employed: up to one year
- Posted managers/specialists: up to three years; trainees: up to one year
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.