When preparing for an expansion into Latvia, as in any country, many businesses will need to bring in employees from abroad to help with the expansion. To do so, every worker will need permission to work in Latvia in the form of a work visa.
Latvia’s visa system can be difficult to navigate, and both employers and their employees will need to follow Latvia’s strict immigration laws as well as the local language. Failure to follow the rules carefully can result in rejections and delays.
At Horizons, our foreign expansion team offers a wide selection of Latvian work visa services, immigration support, and outsourcing, giving your company everything needed to expand into Latvia with the help of the top global talent.
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Requirements for Latvia work visas
Each foreign employee aiming to work in Latvia will need a D visa, a residence permit, and a work permit. The requirements for each of these can be quite complicated, but the basic requirements include:
- A valid passport and passport photos
- Application forms for each visa/permit
- Application fees
- A job offer from a Latvian employer
- Health insurance
- Details of accommodation plans in the country
- Proof of relevant qualification/work experience
Different types of Latvia work visas and work permits
As mentioned above, foreign workers coming to live and work in Latvia need to have a residence permit and work permit in addition to a visa.
In terms of visas, there are several options. However, the majority of foreign workers will need a D-type visa, which is intended for long-term stays (more than three months). This visa is available with single, double, and multiple-entry options, so applicants should determine which they will need before applying.
How to get a work visa for Latvia
Firstly, applicants should apply for their residence permit through the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA). The application should be completed and then filed with the applicant’s local Latvian embassy or consulate, and applicants will generally need to have an in-person interview as part of the process.
Once a residence permit has been issued, the applicant should apply for their D visa, which can also be done through an embassy/consulate.
Finally, applicants will need to obtain a work permit for Latvia, which requires proof of a job offer from a Latvian employer. This part of the process is also handled by the OCMA and applications can be processed via an embassy/consulate.
These three documents are required before the employee can legally travel to Latvia and commence employment.
Other considerations
As Latvia is a member of the European Union (EU), any nationals of EU or European Economic Area (EEA) countries can enter and work in Latvia without a residence permit or visa. Nevertheless, they will still need to correspond with the OCMA to get permission to stay and work in the country for more than three months.
Due to the three separate applications needed for many foreign workers, it is also particularly important to prepare well in advance of your employee’s planned move to Latvia to avoid delays and disappointment.
How can Horizons help?
Horizons supports businesses throughout foreign expansion operations, and we specialize in obtaining work visas for Latvia. Our Latvia work visa experts provide reliable advice and bespoke outsourcing solutions to support you through Latvia’s difficult immigration process without any hassle We ensure that you and your foreign workforce are totally compliant with Latvia’s laws, save you time, and provide answers to any questions you may have about the process.
We also offer a wide selection of outsourcing services that cover recruitment, payroll, HR, administration, and more to help your company begin its Latvian expansion as efficiently as possible, even if you don’t have an established subsidiary in the country.
