The residence permit is a document providing a foreigner with the right to reside in the Republic of Latvia for a definite period (a temporary residence permit) or permanently (a permanent residence permit).
A residence permit is necessary if you are willing to reside in the Republic of Latvia for a time exceeding 90 days for studying, investing, working and joining family purposes; foreigners must first apply for a residence permit from the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) in Latvia.
A residence permit can be applied for and submitted at any regional office of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) of the Ministry of the Interior of Latvia or address Ciekurkalna 1, Linija 1, K-3, Riga LV-1026 by the inviter directly or making an appointment by phone +3716782 9750 or e-mail [email protected] by:
INVITER – an individual or a legal entity who invites the foreigner and assumes liability for the departure of the invited foreigner from Latvia at a specified time, as well as, if necessary, ensures the covering of expenses related to health care, residence in the Republic of Latvia and return of the foreigner to the country of domicile
INDIVIDUAL - an adult citizen of Latvia or non-citizen of Latvia; an adult foreigner who holds a valid permanent residence permit in the Republic of Latvia; an adult foreigner who has a valid temporary residence permit in the Republic of Latvia – only for the invitation of a spouse, children or parents for a time not exceeding the term of validity of the temporary residence permit
LEGAL ENTITY - a state or local government institution of the Republic of Latvia, a legal person of the Republic of Latvia or foreign state-registered following procedures specified in regulatory enactments of the Republic of Latvia
The inviter or individual submits a residence permit application on behalf of the person(s) who intend to reside in Latvia for more than 90 days, written in free form, providing their contact information and the following information about the foreign national being invited. While the Legal Entity as inviter submits a written application providing the contact information, the registration number and legal address of the legal entity shall be specified:
a. Name(s), Surname;
b. Citizenship;
c. Date of Birth;
d. Place of Birth;
e. Address of Residence;
f. Reason or Purpose of Entry;
g. The Anticipated Place of Residence and Length of Stay in Latvia;
h. The Location (Office) where the visa application will likely be submitted.
The inviter or individual or legal entity shall write a testimony to assume liability for the departure of the invited foreigner from Latvia at a specified time as well as, if necessary, ensures the covering of expenses related to health care, residence in the Republic of Latvia and return of the foreigner to the country of domicile while presents a valid identification document (passport), submit a payment of the State fee and if required, provides other documents that confirm the following:
- Relationship of the inviter to the foreigner being invited;
- The need for the foreigner to come to Latvia;
Suppose a legal entity wishes to invite a foreigner whose purpose of entry is a religious activity. In that case, the request thereof shall be coordinated with the Board of Religious Affairs before submission to the Office. Such coordination is unnecessary for the applications of Evangelical Lutheran Church, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox Church, Old Believers, Methodist, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist or believers in Moses (Judaism) denominations.
For information about applying for the residence permit from PMLP/ OCMA, click here.
