To work and reside in Latvia as a highly-qualified worker for longer than 90 days within half a year (counting from the first day of entrance), you can apply for an EU Blue Card. You may also need a visa.
To qualify for a Blue Card, you must hold a university or college diploma from an educational programme that lasted three years or longer. You must also earn an annual salary of 1.5 times the national average wage.
Where and how to apply | To get a Blue Card, your future employer must first get approval of an invitation for employment from the local branch of the Office of Citizenship and Migration AffairsSearch for available translations of the preceding link (OCMA). The vacancy does not need to have been pre-registered with the State Employment Agency (NVA) but must attract an annual salary of 1.5 times the national average wage. Once the employer’s invitation has been approved, you must submit your application for a Blue Card to a diplomatic or consular representative office of the Republic of Latvia abroadSearch for available translations of the preceding link, which sends the application to the OCMA for evaluation. Non-EU nationals who stay in Latvia with a valid uniform visa can apply directly to the OCMA for a residence permit. Once your Blue Card has been granted and before you enter Latvia, you must, if necessary, obtain a visa at a diplomatic or consular representative office of the Republic of Latvia abroadSearch for available translations of the preceding link. |
Documents required | To obtain your Blue Card you must provide a number of documents, including:
Prior to the submission of these documents, your employer must have the invitation for a Blue Card approved by the OCMASearch for available translations of the preceding link. *This document shall not be necessary if you are a citizen of one of these countriesSearch for available translations of the preceding link. |
| Further requirements | Upon arrival and having received your residence permit, you must declare your place of residenceSearch for available translations of the preceding link and provide a radiologist’s report on the results of an x-ray or fluoroscopic examination done in Latvia and a health insurance of minimum 42 600 euro which guarantees the covering of health expenses, including repatriation to the country of origin in case of serious illness or death. |
| Duration of validity of the Blue Card | Residence permits for Blue Card holders are granted for a maximum of five years. If your employment contract is for a period not exceeding one year, the residence permit shall be issued for successive periods of three months for the duration of the contract. |
Appeals | A refusal to issue a Blue Card can be challenged before the Head of the OCMA within 30 days from the day of the notification of the refusal. A decision from the Head of the OCMA can be appealed before the Administrative court. More on appealsSearch for available translations of the preceding link. |
Further information | More on required documentsSearch for available translations of the preceding link More on visasSearch for available translations of the preceding link |
Change of employment | If you hold a valid EU Blue Card issued by the Latvian authorities and wish to change employer, or if your Blue Card was issued by another EU country and you have requested a Blue Card from the Latvian authorities, you and your family members can reside in Latvia until the decision has been made. |
Unemployment | Your Blue Card will not be revoked if you become unemployed, unless the period of unemployment is longer than three months, there are several periods of unemployment during the validity of your Blue Card, or you have not notified the OCMA. |
Long-term resident status | A long-term resident status may be granted if you have resided legally in the EU for at least five years (where the last two years have been in Latvia), provided that you show:
If you have a long-term resident status, you have no restrictions to work in Latvia. More on long-term residenceSearch for available translations of the preceding link |
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