Latvia’s new Immigration Law took effect on 15 September 2026. It changes the grounds for temporary and permanent residence, the language requirements for applications, the validity period of some permits and the rules for certain applicants. New temporary residence permits based on buying real estate or investing in subordinated liabilities of a Latvian credit institution are no longer available, although permits issued before the law took effect are not automatically cancelled.
The changes matter to people planning to move to Latvia, as well as current permit holders, employees, employers, investors, students and their family members. What a person needs to do depends on the legal basis of their permit, when an application was submitted and which transitional provision applies. This guide summarizes the main changes and the points applicants should check before filing documents.
Key changes to Latvia residence permits
Latvia’s new Immigration Law changes several parts of the residence permit process at once. The table below summarizes the main points published by Latvia’s Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) in its overview of the new Immigration Law.
| Area | What changed on 15 September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Real estate purchase | New temporary residence permits are no longer issued on this basis |
| Subordinated liabilities of credit institutions | This ground is no longer available to new applicants |
| Permit validity and registration | Some temporary permits may be issued for up to two years; annual registration is no longer required |
| Application language | Initial visa and temporary residence permit applications may be submitted in Latvian or English; repeat temporary permit applications, permanent residence applications and documents submitted by inviters must be in Latvian |
| Permanent residence | The law retains one permanent residence status, EU long-term resident status; in general, applicants must show five years of continuous residence in Latvia, calculated under the law’s rules |
| Students and family members | The right to enter Latvia with family members is limited to students who are citizens of NATO member states and doctoral candidates |
| Startup founders | Eligibility has been expanded, subject to restrictions for citizens of countries covered by additional checks |
| Processing time | The maximum period for reviewing a residence permit application is four months from the date of submission |
| Integration requirements | Latvian language and Latvian history and culture course requirements take effect on 31 December 2027 |
The validity period of a residence permit depends on its legal basis and the applicant’s category. The two-year period is therefore not a universal term for every permit. Applicants should check the requirements that apply to their specific residence basis before submitting an application or applying for a repeat permit.
Which residence permit routes have changed
Since 15 September 2026, a new temporary residence permit cannot be obtained through the purchase of real estate in Latvia or an investment in subordinated liabilities of a Latvian credit institution. Buying property in Latvia on its own no longer gives a new applicant the right to apply under the real estate route. This change concerns new applications and does not, by itself, cancel a permit that was granted earlier.
Other investment routes remain in the law. A temporary residence permit may still be available to a person investing in the share capital of a Latvian company, but eligibility depends on the investment amount and structure, the company’s characteristics and the applicant’s circumstances. Owning shares in a company alone does not guarantee a residence permit. PMLP publishes requirements for share capital investors; the specific investment structure should be checked against the current law before an application is prepared.
The law also introduces an investment route involving at least EUR 150,000 invested in the manager of a state-established alternative investment fund for at least five years. The applicant must also pay EUR 10,000 into the state budget. PMLP has reported that the relevant investment structure has not yet been established, so this route is not currently available in practice.
Temporary residence permits remain available on grounds that include employment, business activity, investment in a company, studies and family reunification. The new law also expands the route for startup founders, subject to restrictions for citizens of certain countries. Each route has its own requirements for the applicant, employer, inviting person or company, and supporting documents.
Employing a third-country national generally involves steps for both the employer and the worker, including compliance with the relevant work and residence requirements. The process depends on the type of employment and the worker’s status. PMLP provides separate guidance on employing foreign nationals, while business and investment applications depend in part on the applicant’s role in the company and the nature of its activities.
Students and their families should also take account of the new restriction on family members entering Latvia with a student. Under PMLP’s summary, a student may bring family members only if the student is a citizen of a NATO member state or is a doctoral candidate. The restriction concerns accompanying family members and does not, by itself, remove the possibility of applying for a student residence permit.
What current residence permit holders should do
Temporary residence permits issued before 15 September 2026 remain valid until the registration date set for the permit or, if no registration date applies, until the permit’s expiry date. The new law’s entry into force does not cancel an existing permit. A holder who intends to remain in Latvia beyond the relevant date may need to apply for a repeat permit, with the procedure depending on the permit category and the transitional provisions of the Immigration Law.
The law also sets out which rules apply to applications already submitted when it took effect. Applications for a visa or temporary residence permit submitted before 15 September 2026 are reviewed under the previous Immigration Law. Applications for permanent residence submitted before that date are reviewed under the new law. The submission date therefore matters when checking an application that was pending during the transition.
For holders of a residence permit based on real estate, the end of the route for new applicants does not automatically cancel an existing permit. The law provides a special continuation route for some current holders. Eligibility may depend on the permit’s history, the application deadline, whether the investment is maintained and the state payments required by the applicable transitional provision. Holders should identify the specific provision that applies to their permit before submitting documents, since the conditions depend on the permit’s legal basis and history.
Before applying for a repeat permit, check the registration or expiry date, the original legal basis of the permit and the language requirements for supporting documents. Some transitional rules require an application to be submitted before the existing permit expires, so it is sensible to review the applicable conditions in advance.
Application language and permanent residence
Documents for an initial visa or temporary residence permit application may be submitted in Latvian or English. Documents for a repeat temporary residence permit application and a permanent residence application must be in Latvian. The same language requirement applies to documents submitted by an inviter with an invitation or sponsorship application. Applicants should factor this into document preparation and translation arrangements.
Some temporary residence permits may be issued for up to two years, and the requirement for annual registration has been abolished. The applicable permit duration still depends on the legal basis. The maximum period for reviewing a residence permit application is four months from the date it is submitted; the requirements and supporting documents depend on the application route and the individual circumstances.
In general, a person applying for permanent residence must have lived continuously in Latvia for at least five years immediately before applying. For this period to count as continuous, an absence from Latvia must not exceed six consecutive months or ten months in total. Applicants must also meet other applicable requirements, including having sufficient means of subsistence. Holding a temporary residence permit for five calendar years does not, by itself, confirm that every condition for permanent residence has been met.
The new law also provides for Latvian language knowledge at no lower than A2 level and completion of a course on Latvian history and culture for permanent residence applicants. These integration requirements take effect on 31 December 2027. Applicants should check which requirements apply on the date they submit their application and which will take effect later.
Immigration support from BBCRiga
Latvia’s new Immigration Law changes the rules for new applicants and establishes separate transition requirements for people who already hold residence permits. Before applying, it is important to identify the legal basis, check the relevant deadlines and document language requirements, and confirm which transitional rule applies to the individual case.
BBCRiga provides immigration services in Latvia and helps clients assess suitable residence permit grounds, check requirements and prepare application documents. We support employment, business and investment cases, as well as questions about permits issued under the previous rules. Learn more about our immigration services in Latvia.
This information is current as of October 2026 and is general in nature. PMLP makes decisions on applications; the outcome depends on the legal basis, documents and the applicant’s individual circumstances.
