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.
To qualify for a Blue Card, you must hold a university or college diploma from an educational programme that lasted three years or longer or at least 5 years long professional experience in the respective field. You must also earn an annual salary of 1.5 times the national average wage (for certain professions an annual salary of 1.2 times the national average wage is applicable. The list of those professions can be found here).
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 Affairs (OCMA). 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 abroad, which sends the application to the OCMA for evaluation. Non-EU nationals who stay in Latvia legally can apply directly to the OCMA for a residence permit. Application form can be found here. |
Fees | Fees for examination of documents submitted for application:
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Documents required | To obtain your Blue Card you must provide a number of documents, including:
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| Further requirements | Upon arrival and having received your residence permit, you must declare your place of residence 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 permits | 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 Blue Card issued is valid for the entire duration of the contract and an additional period of three months. |
Conditions for renewal | The conditions for renewal depend on the work agreement. |
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 information on appeals available here. More information on visas please check here. |
Further information |
Change of employment | If you hold a valid EU Blue Card issued by the Latvian authorities and wish to change employer you should apply for a new EU Blue Card. |
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. |
Change of status | Provided that you meet the necessary conditions, you can apply to change your status without any restriction. |
Family members | If your spouse, a minor or dependent child enter with you, they shall additionally submit documents that confirm the kinship. In case minor children are applying for a permit together with one of the parents, a permission for residing in the Republic of Latvia signed by the parent who does not travel with the child, which is either notarised or signed by that parent before an official of the representation, shall be submitted. |
Long-term resident | A long-term resident status may be granted if you have resided legally in Latvia for at least five years. If before moving to Latvia you have resided as an EU Blue Card holder in other MS, your total period of residence in the EU shall be 5 years where the last two years have been in Latvia. You have to show:
If you have a long-term resident status, you have no restrictions to work in Latvia. More information on long-term residence please check here. |
No information available at the moment.