Latvia’s residence permit transition rules explain what happens to existing permits after the new Immigration Law took effect on 15 September 2026. Temporary residence permits issued before that date remain valid until their existing registration or expiry date, but they are not automatically extended. Some investors may apply for a repeat permit for up to five years under specific transitional provisions, while the next step for other permit holders depends on their residence basis, deadlines and individual circumstances.
The rules distinguish between temporary permits that have already been issued and repeat applications made when a registration date approaches. Separate provisions apply to investors in real estate, subordinated liabilities and company share capital, as well as holders of permanent residence permits. This guide explains what each group should check before taking the next step.
What happens to an existing Latvian residence permit
A temporary residence permit issued before 15 September 2026 remains valid until its existing registration date or, if no registration date applies, until its expiry date. The new law does not cancel the permit when it comes into force, but the permit is not automatically renewed beyond the date already set for it. Anyone who plans to remain in Latvia after that date should check whether a repeat application is required and which transitional rule applies to their residence basis.
Where a temporary permit has a registration date and the holder cannot apply under any of the new residence grounds, the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) checks whether the previous residence basis still meets the requirements of the former law. If it does, PMLP may issue a permit for one year or for the remaining period of the previously granted residence rights if that is shorter, subject to a maximum of one year and three months. Specific transitional provisions apply to some investment permit holders.
| Situation | What the transitional rules provide |
|---|---|
| Temporary permit issued before 15 September 2026 | It remains valid until its registration or expiry date |
| Permit through real estate or subordinated liabilities | The holder and eligible family members may apply for a repeat permit for up to five years if the conditions are met |
| Permit through company share capital | A repeat permit on the same basis may be available; a EUR 2,000 payment applies in certain cases |
| Permanent residence permit issued before 15 September 2026 | It is registered under the procedure in the new law |
Transition rules for a Latvia residence permit through real estate
Latvia no longer issues new temporary residence permits on the basis of purchasing real estate from 15 September 2026. Some holders of permits granted under the former real estate route may still apply for a repeat permit for up to five years. This is a specific transitional route, not an automatic five-year extension for every property owner.
To use this route, the repeat application must be submitted before the current temporary permit expires. The investment must continue to meet the requirements under the applicable version of the former law or the conditions specified in the transitional provision. There must also be no legal grounds preventing the permit from being issued, and the required payment to the state budget must be made. If the conditions are met, the investor and eligible family members may receive a repeat permit with unrestricted employment rights.
The payment is calculated at EUR 1,000 for each year of the previous and repeat permit periods, less eligible amounts already paid under the relevant provisions of the former law. The amount varies according to the permit history and previous payments. Investors should have the calculation checked against their own documents rather than assume that another applicant’s total will apply to them.
Repeat permits for subordinated-liability investors
Latvia no longer issues new residence permits for investments in subordinated liabilities of Latvian credit institutions. Some holders of permits granted under the former route may apply for a repeat permit for up to five years under a specific transitional provision. The application must be made before the current permit expires, the qualifying investment must remain in place, no statutory refusal grounds may apply, and the required state payment must be made.
The transitional rule also covers eligible family members who wish to continue living in Latvia on the same basis. Each family member’s permit and documents should be reviewed individually, as their application history and permit dates may differ. The law sets a separate condition for family members where the investor has died, so this situation needs its own assessment.
Repeat residence permits for company investors
Investment in the share capital of a Latvian company remains a residence permit ground under the new law. A permit under this route may be issued for up to two years. The special transitional route of up to five years applies to certain real estate and subordinated-liability investors; it does not apply to company-capital investors.
A holder of a permit granted under the former company-investment rules may apply for a repeat permit on the same basis if the investment and other requirements continue to be met. The payment depends on how much time remains in the previously granted residence period when the permit reaches its registration date. If less than one year remains, a EUR 2,000 payment applies. If at least one year remains and the EUR 5,000 payment was already made when the permit was issued or registered, no additional payment is required under this rule. Different requirements may apply if the repeat application is made more than 90 days after the previous permit expired or if the investment object changes.
Changing from one investment residence basis to another
Some holders of older investment permits may consider changing to another residence basis, such as employment or a different type of investment. The new basis must independently meet the law’s requirements. Owning property, holding company shares or having held a former permit does not, by itself, qualify someone for a new work or business permit.
If a permit granted for investment in company share capital, real estate or subordinated liabilities had a registration date, a repeat application on a different basis may require a top-up payment so that qualifying payments total EUR 5,000. Payments already made when previous permits were issued or registered are taken into account. The rule also applies in certain cases where such a permit was annulled less than five years after it was granted. This payment rule concerns a change of residence basis and is separate from the EUR 1,000-per-year calculation for repeat permits under the real estate or subordinated-liability transition.
Additional restrictions in the Immigration Law affect access to certain residence permit grounds for citizens of Russia and Belarus. Whether a person can change from an older investment permit to a new route therefore depends on their citizenship and the specific legal ground. Applicants should check the relevant restriction before choosing a new basis, since not every investment route is available to every applicant.
Registering a permanent residence permit issued before the new law
Permanent residence permits issued before 15 September 2026 are not automatically cancelled. The transitional provisions require existing permanent permits to be registered under the procedure in the new law. The new law retains one permanent status, EU long-term resident status, and permanent residence permits are registered every five years.
Holders of an existing permanent permit should follow PMLP’s instructions for registering their current document. Registration of an existing permit is a separate process from a first-time application for permanent residence. The requirements for a new applicant do not automatically mean that an existing holder must start the process again.
What to check before applying for a repeat permit
Start with the PMLP decision and residence permit card. Check the legal basis, registration date and expiry date. Investors should also gather evidence that the qualifying investment remains in place and records of state payments made when earlier permits were issued or registered. Family members should check their own decisions and cards, because their application history and deadlines may differ from those of the main applicant.
Documents for a repeat temporary residence permit application and for a permanent residence application must be submitted in Latvian. Documents provided by an inviter must also be in Latvian. Check the applicable deadline early, since certain investment transition routes require the application to be filed before the current temporary permit expires.
Before preparing the application, it is useful to:
- Check the registration and expiry dates on each permit.
- Identify the precise residence basis in the PMLP decision and find the relevant transitional provision.
- Establish whether the case concerns a repeat permit on the same basis or a change of residence basis.
- For investment permits, collect evidence that the investment remains in place and records of previous state payments.
- Prepare the documents in Latvian and confirm the filing deadline.
Help with a Latvia residence permit renewal
The applicable transition rule depends on the permit type, original residence basis, registration date, investment history and the applicant’s circumstances. Investors should distinguish a repeat application under the same investment route from a change to a different residence basis, because the deadlines and payment calculations are different.
BBCRiga provides immigration services in Latvia and can help identify the relevant transitional rule, review supporting documents and prepare a repeat residence permit application. We also assist with employment, business and investment-related immigration matters. 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.
