Key Takeaways

  • EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals may work freely in Latvia without a permit; non-EEA nationals require a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) for employment or an EU Blue Card from the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA).
  • Latvia is a Schengen Area and EU member state; a Latvia-issued EU Blue Card provides enhanced mobility rights across the EU and a fast path to permanent residence.
  • Latvia is a growing technology and fintech hub with a significant IT sector; Riga is increasingly recognised as a Baltic digital economy centre alongside Tallinn and Vilnius.

Latvia is a Baltic EU member state bordered by Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, Belarus, and the Baltic Sea. Riga is the capital and largest city; with a population of approximately 620,000, Riga is the largest city in the Baltic states and a significant financial, logistics, and technology hub for the Baltic Sea region. Latvia joined the EU and NATO in 2004 and adopted the Euro in 2014. Latvia’s economy is driven by financial services, IT and technology, manufacturing, transit and logistics, and professional services. The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) administers all TRP and EU Blue Card applications for non-EEA nationals.

When Is a Work Visa Needed in Latvia?

EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals may work freely in Latvia without a permit, and are only required to register their place of residence if staying for more than three months. Non-EEA nationals require a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) for employment before starting work. The requirement applies to:

  • Non-EEA nationals employed by Latvia-registered companies, including subsidiaries of multinationals
  • Non-EEA intra-company transferees to Latvian branches or affiliates
  • Non-EEA highly skilled professionals applying under the EU Blue Card scheme
  • Non-EEA technical specialists and consultants on assignments exceeding 90 days
  • Non-EEA graduates of Latvian universities seeking employment after study

Types of Latvia Work Visas and Permits

EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is available to non-EEA nationals with at least a three-year higher education qualification and a job offer with a salary of at least 1.5 times the average gross wage in Latvia (EUR 1,875/month in 2024). The Blue Card is issued by OCMA for up to five years and provides enhanced EU-wide mobility rights. After 18 months, the holder may move to another EU member state with a Blue Card.

Temporary Residence Permit (Work Category)

The TRP for employment is available to non-EEA nationals who do not meet the Blue Card salary threshold or qualification requirement. It is employer-tied and issued by OCMA. The TRP is valid for one to two years and is renewable. The employer must register an employment contract with the State Revenue Service.

Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) Permit

Non-EEA employees transferred from a non-EU company to a Latvian entity may apply for an ICT permit. The employee must have worked for the sending company for at least three to twelve months (depending on role category). The ICT permit is valid for up to three years (managers/specialists) or one year (trainees).

EU/EEA Freedom of Movement

EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals may work freely in Latvia. Those residing for more than three months must register their residence with OCMA and obtain an EU citizen registration certificate. They must also register with the State Revenue Service for income tax and social security purposes.

How to Apply for a Work Visa in Latvia

1

Employer Registers Employment Contract

The employer registers the employment contract with the State Revenue Service (VID) and obtains the required notification confirmation. This step is required before a TRP or EU Blue Card application can be submitted to OCMA.

2

Apply to OCMA for the TRP or EU Blue Card

The employer or the foreign national submits the TRP or EU Blue Card application to OCMA. Required documents: valid passport; employment contract registered with VID; educational qualifications; police clearance from the country of last residence; proof of accommodation; and health insurance certificate.

3

Foreign National Obtains a D-Visa (if required)

Non-EEA nationals who are not Schengen-visa-exempt and who are applying from abroad must obtain a Latvian national long-stay visa (D-Visa) from a Latvian embassy or consulate to enter Latvia for the TRP appointment. Schengen-exempt nationals may enter and apply from within Latvia.

4

Biometrics at OCMA

The applicant attends an OCMA office in Riga or another regional office to provide biometric data (fingerprints and photograph). This appointment is scheduled after the initial application is submitted. Processing is typically completed within 10–30 days after biometrics.

5

Collect the Residence Permit Card

OCMA issues a biometric residence permit card valid for the duration of the TRP or EU Blue Card. The card must be collected in person at OCMA. It serves as both a residence and work authorisation document.

6

Register with VSAA and VID

The employer must register the foreign worker with the State Social Insurance Agency (VSAA) for social security contributions and with the State Revenue Service (VID) for income tax (PAYE). Employer social security contributions are 23.59% of gross salary; employee contributions are 10.5%.

Latvia Work Permit Costs and Fees

Latvia TRP and EU Blue Card fees are denominated in Euros (EUR):

Permit TypeCost
EU Blue Card (up to 5 years)EUR 142 standard; EUR 28 reduced rate in some circumstances
TRP Work (1 year)EUR 70–142 depending on processing speed
ICT PermitEUR 70–142
D-Visa (where required)EUR 60

VSAA employer contributions are a significant ongoing payroll cost (23.59% of gross salary). Professional service fees add EUR 400–1,200. Total first-year employer costs typically range from EUR 800 to EUR 2,500.

Latvia Work Visa Sponsorship

Latvia’s TRP for employment is employer-tied. The EU Blue Card is more portable but still requires a valid employment relationship. Changes of employer require notification to OCMA and, for TRP holders, a new permit application. Employers must continue to register employment contract changes with VID.

Employers must comply with Latvian labour law (Labour Law of Latvia), minimum wage obligations, social security contribution requirements (VSAA), and applicable collective agreements.

For international companies without a Latvian entity, an EOR registered in Latvia can act as the sponsoring employer, manage TRP and EU Blue Card applications, VSAA contributions, VID registration, payroll in EUR, and full Latvian Labour Law compliance.

Work in Latvia with Confidence

Latvia’s EU Blue Card and progressive immigration framework, combined with the Euro currency, Schengen Area membership, and a growing tech sector, make it one of the most accessible Baltic markets for international talent deployment.

RemotePeople’s Baltic team provides end-to-end TRP and EU Blue Card management in Latvia.

Frequently Asked Questions

The EU Blue Card is for highly qualified workers with at least a three-year degree and a salary at or above EUR 1,875/month (1.5x average gross wage). It provides enhanced mobility within the EU — after 18 months, the holder may move to another EU Blue Card country. The standard TRP for employment has lower salary thresholds and no degree requirement, but it is employer-tied and Latvia-specific. Blue Card holders get longer validity (up to 5 years) versus 1–2 years for the standard TRP.

Yes. After 18 months of holding a Latvia-issued EU Blue Card and working in Latvia, the holder may move to another EU member state that participates in the EU Blue Card scheme (all EU states except Denmark) to take up employment without applying for a completely new visa from abroad. The new member state issues its own Blue Card, but the process is expedited for existing Blue Card holders.

The State Social Insurance Agency (VSAA) administers Latvia's mandatory social security system, covering pension, unemployment, parental leave, workplace accident, and health insurance. Employer contributions are 23.59% and employee contributions are 10.5% of gross salary, for a combined rate of 34.09%. This is among the standard rates for EU member states in the Baltics.

Latvia has no language test requirement for work permit applicants. However, Latvian is the official language of the country, and knowledge of Latvian is required for some regulated professions (healthcare, law, teaching). Russian is widely spoken as a second language in Riga. English is increasingly used in the international and technology sectors.

Yes. A licensed EOR registered in Latvia can act as the sponsoring employer, manage TRP and EU Blue Card applications at OCMA, register employment contracts with VID, manage VSAA contributions, payroll in EUR, and full Latvian Labour Law compliance on behalf of an international company without a Latvian entity.

Relocate to Latvia

RemotePeople provides EOR services in Latvia and across the Baltic states. We manage TRP and EU Blue Card applications at OCMA, VID and VSAA registration, payroll in EUR, and full Latvian Labour Law compliance.

Contact RemotePeople to start hiring in Latvia today.

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