Long-stay visas (Type D)
Latvian EU Blue Card
A residence permit for highly qualified third-country professionals holding higher qualifications and an above-average salary offer in Latvia.
Under review — check current rules
Important information
- Processed by
- State Employment Agency (residence permit issued via OCMA/PMLP)
- Qualification
- Higher professional qualifications (e.g. degree)
- Contract length
- Highly qualified job for at least 1 year
- Validity
- Duration of the contract, up to 5 years
- Salary threshold
- Around 1.5x the Latvian average gross wage (about 1.2x for shortage professions)
- The euro figure is recalculated annually — verify the current threshold with PMLP before relying on it.
Who it's for
Highly qualified third-country nationals with a degree-level qualification (or, for regulated professions, the qualifications required by law) and a skilled, well-paid job offer in Latvia.
Requirements
- Higher professional qualifications, or the legal qualifications for a regulated profession
- An employment contract or binding job offer for highly qualified work lasting at least one year
- Gross salary above the statutory Blue Card threshold (roughly 1.5x the national average, ~1.2x for shortage occupations)
- Proof of sufficient means of subsistence
- Valid travel document and health insurance
- Statement on punishability where required
What you can do
- Work in your highly qualified job in Latvia
- Bring family members through reunification
- Accumulate residence toward EU long-term resident status
- Move more easily to another EU member state under Blue Card mobility rules
How to apply
Your employer initiates the process and the application is assessed by the State Employment Agency, which has a maximum processing time of about 10 working days (with an expedited option for a higher fee). Once approved, OCMA issues the residence permit / Blue Card.
The invitation/sponsorship must be confirmed at OCMA before documents are submitted.
Documents
- Completed residence-permit application questionnaire
- Full copy of passport
- Photograph
- Employment contract for highly qualified work (min. 1 year)
- Proof of higher qualifications
- Proof of subsistence and salary meeting the threshold
- Health insurance and, where required, statement on punishability
- Proof of state fee payment
Frequently asked questions
It is tied to a multiple of Latvia's average gross wage (broadly 1.5x, or about 1.2x for professions on the shortage list) and is recalculated each year, so always check the current euro figure with PMLP.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.
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