🇨🇳→🇱🇻China→Latvia

90 daysmultiple entryup to 15d processing

Allows foreign nationals to visit Latvia and the Schengen Area for tourism, visiting family/friends, or other short stays not involving paid employment.

Checklist filed by the visa centre as “Individual Tourism”

Fee is EUR 90 (approx USD 97) for adults 12+; EUR 45 for ages 6-11; free for children under 6. Maximum stay 90 days in any 180-day period across Schengen. Applied for at Latvian embassies/consulates abroad or via VFS Global. Single or multiple entry issued at consular discretion. Other Schengen states may represent Latvia for short-stay visas where Latvia has no mission. Fee reduced to EUR 35 for nationals of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Moldova (facilitation agreements). Ukraine: EUR 35 standard (10 calendar days) or EUR 70 expedited (3 days).

multiple entry

Allows third-country founders and entrepreneurs to reside in Latvia to create or develop an innovative product and build a startup business.

The visa application centre publishes no document checklist for this type.

Temporary residence permit for startup founders developing an innovative product in Latvia. No minimum investment amount is required (distinct from the RBI/investor residence permits tracked separately). Applicant must submit a free-form description of the innovative product to be created or developed together with a business plan covering the next three years, and demonstrate subsistence of at least EUR 500/month (plus EUR 500/month per accompanying adult and EUR 150/month per minor). A stamp duty (state fee) applies; exact amount, validity period, and processing time are not published on the official page - applicants are directed to PMLP. Official pmlp.gov.lv page last updated 22 April 2022.

90 daysmultiple entryup to 15d processing

Allows foreign nationals to travel to Latvia for business meetings, conferences, trade fairs, and other commercial activities not constituting paid employment in Latvia.

The visa application centre publishes no document checklist for this type.

Same Type C Schengen visa as tourist; purpose noted on visa sticker as 'BUSINESS'. Fee EUR 90 for adults. Applied at Latvian embassies/consulates or VFS Global. Work/employment requires a separate work visa. Subsistence requirement: EUR 14/day for stays under 30 days; EUR 780 for stays exceeding 30 days.

Required for nationals of certain countries transiting through Latvian international airports without entering the Schengen Area.

The visa application centre publishes no document checklist for this type.

Required for nationals of: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Iran, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka. Exemptions include holders of valid Latvian/Schengen visas or residence permits, and holders of residence permits from Andorra, USA, Japan, Canada, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland, or Vatican. Also exempt: ICAO member state aircraft crew. Applied at Latvian embassies/consulates. Fee amounts not published on official page.

365 daysvalid 365d

Allows family members of Latvian citizens or legal residents to enter and reside in Latvia pending a long-term residence permit.

Checklist filed by the visa centre as “Visit to Family/Friends”

Type D national long-stay visa issued for family reunification purpose. Applicants typically transition to a residence permit after entry. Fee EUR 90. Application submitted at Latvian embassy/consulate with supporting family relationship documentation.

365 daysvalid 365d

Allows foreign nationals to reside in Latvia for the purpose of studying at an accredited Latvian educational institution.

Checklist filed by the visa centre as “Study/ Voluntary Work”

Long-stay national visa (Type D) issued for study purposes. Students attending short programs under 90 days may use a Schengen short-stay Type C visa (with fee exemptions for students/pupils on educational visits). Fee EUR 90 for long-stay visa (children under 12 exempt). Required documents include enrollment confirmation. Students staying longer than 1 year typically require a residence permit rather than a visa. EU Directive 2016/801 applies to researchers; fee exemptions apply for scientific research visits.

multiple entry4-10d processingvalid 1825d

Enables third-country nationals with higher-education qualifications (or equivalent professional experience) and a qualifying Latvian employment contract to live and work in a highly qualified job in Latvia.

Residence permit issued for up to 5 years to attract highly qualified employees. Requires a higher-education qualification from a programme of 3+ years (or, in some fields, at least 5 years of relevant professional experience) plus an employment contract meeting the salary/subsistence threshold - officially published as EUR 1,916/month, reduced to EUR 1,532/month for professions in short supply under Cabinet Regulation No. 108. State fee EUR 100 (approx USD 108) for a 10-working-day review or EUR 200 for a 4-working-day expedited review. Blue Card is not annulled if unemployment does not exceed 3 consecutive months. Salary thresholds are updated periodically by Cabinet regulation. Official pmlp.gov.lv page last updated 22 April 2022.

365 daysvalid 365d

Allows foreign nationals to reside and work in Latvia for a specific employer, subject to a State Employment Agency opinion.

Visa sticker endorsed with one of: 'THE RIGHT TO WORK WITH A SPECIFIC EMPLOYER', 'THE RIGHT TO WORK 20 H PER WEEK', 'VOLUNTARY WORK', or 'THE RIGHT TO WORK WITH NO RESTRICTIONS'. Employer must obtain State Employment Agency opinion before submitting invitation. Minimum subsistence: EUR 1,815/month (general employment). Application in-person at Latvian embassy/consulate abroad. Also possible as short-stay Type C visa for employment not exceeding 90 days in 180.

180 daysvalid 365d

Permits foreign nationals to engage in temporary employment during peak seasons in specific sectors of the Latvian economy, primarily agriculture, forestry, and fishing.

Visa sticker marked 'SEASONAL WORK'. Maximum 180 days within a 12-month period (seasonal worker provision). Minimum financial resources: EUR 1,815/month (general employment); EUR 1,516 - EUR 1,990/month for agriculture/forestry/fishing depending on subsector. Application via paper form downloadable from pmlp.gov.lv; submitted at Latvian embassy/consulate.

90 daysmultiple entry

Issued to foreign diplomatic and official passport holders visiting Latvia on official government or diplomatic business.

Many diplomatic/service passport holders are visa-exempt under bilateral agreements (see conditional_access). Where not exempt, diplomatic visas are issued fee-free through diplomatic channels (Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Ministry of Foreign Affairs) for official visits. Standard Schengen short-stay limits apply unless a longer-term arrangement is in place.

365 daysvalid 365d

Covers any lawful long-stay purpose not falling under employment, study, remote work, or family reunification - including medical treatment, voluntary work, and cultural activities.

Catch-all Type D national visa category. Includes voluntary work (visa sticker endorsed 'VOLUNTARY WORK'). Medical stays, cultural exchange, and other long-stay purposes handled under this category. Fee EUR 90 standard; children under 12 exempt. Subsistence minimum EUR 780 for stays over 30 days. Applied at Latvian embassy/consulate. Latvia does not issue a specific medical or retirement visa - these purposes are covered by the general long-stay Type D visa.

365 days15-60d processingvalid 365d

For scientists and researchers carrying out research work in Latvia, either under EU researcher mobility from another Member State or under a hosting/scientific cooperation agreement with a Latvian scientific institution.

Implements EU Directive 2016/801 on the entry and residence of researchers. A scientist who holds a long-term visa or temporary residence permit for research issued by another EU Member State and who plans research work in Latvia for more than 180 days (together with accompanying family members) can obtain a long-stay Type D visa, issued for up to one year (standard D-visa processing 15 days, up to 60 days if further checks are needed). For longer stays a temporary residence permit is issued to researchers invited by a Latvian scientific institution listed in the register of scientific institutions under a research cooperation agreement, granted for the duration of the cooperation plan up to a maximum of 5 years. The fee may be reduced or waived for scientific research visits under Directive 2016/801; otherwise the standard EUR 90 (approx USD 97) D-visa fee applies. See also the EU Immigration Portal 'Researcher in Latvia' page (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu).

365 daysvalid 365donline

Enables third-country nationals employed by an OECD-registered employer or self-employed in an OECD country to reside in Latvia while working remotely.

Minimum gross monthly income EUR 4,213 (2.5x Latvia's average monthly gross salary). Employees must show minimum 6 months employment with current employer. Health insurance required with minimum EUR 42,600 liability coverage valid in Latvia and all Schengen states. No right to local employment in Latvia. Application via e-form at epak.pmlp.gov.lv. Page last updated 11 February 2026.

365 daysup to 30d processingvalid 365d

For New Zealand citizens aged 18-30 to spend a working holiday in Latvia, holding a residence and work permit while employment remains casual and secondary to the holiday purpose.

Based on the bilateral 'Treaty of the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of New Zealand regarding the Working Holiday Scheme'. Open only to New Zealand citizens aged 18 to 30 inclusive; does not apply to dependants. Annual quota of 100 New Zealand citizens. Grants a residence permit and work permit for up to one year; employment must be casual/incidental, not the main purpose of the visit. State fee EUR 160 (approx USD 173). Applicant must show sufficient funds for the initial stay (approx EUR 780) plus the cost of return travel (or hold a return ticket). Application filed at an Embassy of Latvia with passport copy, completed questionnaire, photo and proof of fee payment; on arrival the holder must present a valid New Zealand passport and health insurance covering hospitalisation and repatriation for the whole stay. OCMA (PMLP) decides within 30 days. This is Latvia's only working holiday agreement currently in force.