Last Updated on February 23, 2023
This article was originally published on 15 April 2022 and was updated on 7 July 2022 to reflect new information.
7 July 2022 Update: The government of Latvia released additional information regarding the qualifications for its long stay visa. The visa will be valid for a maximum period of one year and will be available to select foreign nationals. To qualify, the third-country foreign national must be employed by a company established in one of the 37 member states of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) or be a self-employed person established in one of these countries and able to perform their duties remotely while staying in Latvia.
To apply for the status, eligible applicants must hold the following:
- Valid passport (including a copy of a passport that should be submitted via mail);
- A complete and signed visa questionnaire (complete the questionnaire here);
- A passport-style photograph taken within the last six months;
- A copy of the document certifying that the foreign national has health insurance that is valid in Latvia and in the Schengen Member States. The minimum insurance liability limit specified in the policy may be no less than EUR 42,600 during the insurance period;
- Documents certifying the intended place of residence in Latvia;
- Employees of a company operating from an OECD member state will need to provide proof of documents issued by the tax administration or social insurance institution of the OECD member state.
- Also included must be a statement from the employer indicating that the employee has been employed for at least six months, including information on the employee’s income during these six months. The employee must be paid at least EUR 3,192.50 and able to carry out any work-related duties remotely.
- Self-employed persons will need to provide documents issued by the tax administration of their host country, which must be a member state of the OECD. This information must certify the income generated in the last six months from the work-related activities completed by the self-employed person.
- The self-employed person must be paid at least EUR 3,192.50 and able to carry out any work-related duties remotely.
Key Points
Digital nomad visa launched in Latvia as of 1 Feb. 2022
Overview
On 1 Feb. 2022, the government of Latvia announced that third-country foreign nationals will be permitted to request a temporary visa for the purposes of remote work. Eligible applicants must be able to provide proof of having worked with the employer registered abroad for a period of at least six months and make a minimum average salary of EUR 2857.50 per month. The visa will initially be granted for a period of one year, with the possibility to renew for an additional year.
What are the Changes?
The government of Latvia has launched a new digital remote work visa that will allow eligible third-country foreign nationals to live and work remotely in the country for an initial period of one year. The employing company must be registered abroad in order for the applicant to qualify.
Looking Ahead
Continue to check the government of Latvia’s website and Envoy’s website for the latest updates and information.
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This article was published on 15 April 2022 and may not be the most recent update concerning COVID-19 entrance restrictions, testing requirements and quarantine measurers. For the most recent updates be sure to check our Global Mobility Resource Center.
Content in this publication is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult an attorney at one of the two U.S. Law Firms working with the Envoy Platform or another qualified professional. On non-U.S. immigration issues, consult an Envoy global immigration service provider or another qualified representative.
