Latvia Work Visa Requirements

A work visa is required by an individual who intends to take up employment in a country out with their citizenship. A work visa or work permit is required to obtain authorisation from the relevant authority in the country he/she intends to work in (typically the Governmental immigration department or the Ministry of Labour and Social affairs). Generally a work visa will be in the form a standard document or a stamp in your passport and can be a lengthy procedure to endure prior to receiving the stamp. It must be noted that some individuals are not required to obtain a work visa. Generally all jurisdictions with reciprocal treaty agreements do not stipulate that an individual must obtain a work visa for undertaking employment in those countries. Each jurisdiction has specific conditions which need to be satisfied in order to be approved a work visa.

Who requires a Latvia Work Permit?

Latvia is a member of the European Union and part of the Schengen treaty agreement which consequently ensures priority for all EU (EFTA, EEA) Member Country nationals to reside and work freely in Latvia without cause for a work permit.

Nationals from the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Israel, Japan, Switzerland and EU are authorized to apply for their residence permit (for the purpose of undertaking an employment contract) after they have arrived in Latvia. However, all nationals from countries excluded from the above mentioned list are required to apply for and obtain their residence permit prior to entering Latvia.

All other foreign nationals (citizens from out with the EU member states) are legally required to obtain a work visa to undertake full time employment in Latvia.

This particular type of work permit is applied for through the Latvia Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs Department.

Types of Latvia Visas

The main classifications of Latvia visas include; Airport visa, Transit Visa, Short term visa and Long term visa. The long and short term visas are the most popular among applicants seeking employment or doing business in Latvia for a specific period of time.

Latvia Short Term Visa

The short term visa is valid for a period for one year and allows the applicant to stay in Latvia for a maximum period of 90 consecutive days.

Latvia Long Term Visa

This visa enables the applicant to reside in Latvia for up to 90 days every time they enter Latvia, however the visa is only valid for 1 year.

Individuals Restricted from applying for a Long Term Permit:

B1/B2 visas, re-entry permit or holders of a refugee travel document are exempt prohibited to apply for a long term visa.

Latvia Working Holiday Visa

A working holiday visa is obtainable by all Canadian and New Zealand nationals who want to reside and take up employment in Latvia for a maximum period of 12 consecutive months. This permit is only available to Canada and New Zealand nationals as Latvia has a reciprocal working holiday agreement with them.

Latvia Work Permit

The Latvia work permit is an essential document to have for foreign nationals intending to take up employment in Latvia. A work permit is required by the individual before they can undertake in any form of employment in Latvia.

For an applicant to be approved a Latvia work permit they must satisfy the following conditions;

- the applicant must provide the original employment contract in his/her application

- the employment contract must be from a Latvian registered business

- The employment contract my have a ‘residential permit’ included

Exemptions to obtaining a Latvian Work Permit

- If you are a manager of a company representing a foreign firm you will not need to acquire a work permit to undertake your business activities in Latvia

- If you are a shareholder of a Latvian registered company you will not need a work permit

- If you are a current holder of a Latvia permanent residential permit you do not need to obtain a work permit to carry on employment in Latvia

Latvia Residential Permit

A holder of a Latvia residential permit gives them the right to reside and seek employment in Latvia. This type of permit is required by individuals who are foreign nationals and who intend to reside in Latvia for a period of over 90 consecutive days from the date of entry in Latvia. If you are an entrepreneur wishing to open a business in Latvia or are a businessman/woman intending to manage a Latvian business you are legally required to obtain a Latvia Residential Permit.

Required documents to apply for a Latvia Work Permit include;

- Valid passport

- 2 x passport photos

- 2 x completed employment permit application forms

- Medical certificate stating good health of applicant

- Proof of sufficient funds (can be in the form of bank account statements)

- Medical insurance

- Inclusion of the relevant visa application fee

- Relevant marriage and birth certificates of spouse and dependants traveling with the applicant

- Employment contract from the sponsor

- Letter of intent from sponsor

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