Where and how to apply

First, an invitation for a visa or for a residence permit shall be approved at any client service centre of the OCMA.

Family members must apply for a residence permit before they come to the Republic of Latvia at the diplomatic or consular representative office of the Republic of Latvia abroadSearch for available translations of the preceding linkEN•••, which sends the application to the OCMA for evaluation. In some cases the family members are entitled to submit an application for a residence permit at OCMA, after they have arrived in the Republic of Latvia, e.g. if they are holders of valid residence permit issued by another Schengen country or if they are citizens of the country whose citizens may enter Schengen countries without a visa. More information – here.Search for available translations of the preceding linkLV•••

Fees

Fees for examination of documents submitted for application:

• up to 30 days – 100 euros,
• up to 10 working days – 200 euros,
• up to 5 working days – 400 euros.

Documents required

A family member shall present a valid travel document recognised in the Republic of Latvia and submit the following documents:

• a definite sample form for a residence permit request,
• a photography,
• a criminal record issued by a competent institution of the citizenship or the host country (for a third-country national more than 14 years old), if a third-country national has resided in that country longer than 12 months – citizens of visa-free countries do not submit this document,
• a document confirming the necessary subsistence,
• documents proving the relationship with a sponsor.

To obtain a visa (if necessary), you have to provide:

• a valid travel document,
• a visa application form filled out (some embassies might require this form to be filled out electronically) and signed,
• a photo,
• a copy of a document confirming that you have a health insurance policy.

Upon arrival and having received your residence permit, you must declare your place of residenceSearch for available translations of the preceding linkEN••• and provide a radiologist’s report on the results of an x-ray or fluoroscopic examination done in the Republic of Latvia and a health insurance of minimum € 42 600 which guarantees the covering of health expenses, including repatriation to the country of origin in case of serious illness or death.

A residence permit is issued for a time period that does not exceed the period of the permit of sponsor. In case a third-country citizen is a family member of citizen of the Republic of Latvia, non-citizen of the Republic of Latvia or permanent resident of the Republic of Latvia, a first residence permit is issued for one year, the next residence permit – for four years. After these two permits a third-country citizen is entitled to apply for a permanent residence permit.

A third-country national who is the spouse of a third-country national holding a permanent residence permit shall be entitled to request:

• when submitting documents for the first time – a temporary residence permit for one year,
• when submitting documents for the second time – a temporary residence permit for four years,
• when submitting documents for the third time – a permanent residence permit.

Repeated temporary residence permit is issued if family ties still exist and if a persons have sufficient financial means.

You have a right to appeal the decision to the Head of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs within 30 days.

For more information on appeals please check hereSearch for available translations of the preceding linkEN•••.

For more information on getting a residence permit please check hereSearch for available translations of the preceding linkEN•••.

For more information on visas please check here