Student Visa for Latvia: Residence Permit, D Visa and Money to Show
Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.
Degree students from outside the EU come to Latvia on a temporary residence permit for studies, issued by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP, also called OCMA in English). A long-stay D visa is only the entry document for some applicants. This guide covers the rules as they stood in October 2026.
Who needs a permit
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens need no permit. If you stay longer than 90 days, you register in person at a PMLP office and get a registration certificate. You show a valid passport or ID card, your study agreement, health insurance valid in Latvia and proof of money.
- Everyone else needs a residence permit for studies at an accredited institution. Institutions issue invitations only for full-time study.
Step 1: the invitation
After you accept your place, the institution prepares an invitation and has it approved by PMLP. The University of Latvia, for example, asks for a passport copy, your home address, your accommodation address in Rīga and the embassy where you will apply. You then give the invitation number when you submit your application.
Step 2: where you apply
Where you apply depends on your citizenship:
| Your citizenship | Where you apply |
|---|---|
| Visa-free for Latvia, e.g. USA, Canada, Japan | At PMLP in Rīga within 90 days of entry, or at a Latvian embassy before you travel |
| Visa required | At a Latvian embassy, or at PMLP after arriving on a visa |
| Countries requiring additional assessment | Only in person at a Latvian embassy; the institution cannot file for you |
If your permit is approved while you are abroad, you then apply at the embassy for a D visa to travel to Latvia.
Documents
- residence permit application form and a photo
- passport valid at least three months beyond the permit period
- the approved invitation and your study agreement
- proof of money and of accommodation in Latvia
- legalised school-leaving certificate and the AIC statement on it, if your institution asks for them; see document recognition for Latvia
- a legalised criminal record certificate, in the cases your institution lists
- proof that the state fee is paid
Some applicants, especially from countries requiring additional assessment, must also show that the tuition is paid.
Money to show
The legal rule is that you must have at least the national minimum monthly wage for each month of your stay. In 2026 this is €780 a month, and the University of Latvia asks for an original, stamped bank statement showing it. Tuition comes on top. Statements are valid for three months, so do not order them too early. See how much it costs to study in Latvia.
Health insurance and medical check
You need health insurance valid in Latvia for the length of the permit. The University of Latvia asks students to present the policy, together with a chest X-ray (fluorography) result issued in Latvia, when they collect the permit. Read more in health insurance for students in Europe.
Fees and processing time
The University of Latvia lists these state fees for a first residence permit:
| Decision within | State fee |
|---|---|
| 30 days | €160 |
| 10 working days | €280 |
| 5 working days | €560 |
Embassies may charge a separate consular fee and a D visa fee. The University of Latvia warns that the whole procedure takes over 40 days, so start as soon as you are admitted.
Working while you study
With a long-stay visa or residence permit for full-time studies, you may work up to 20 hours a week for any employer, and 40 hours a week during breaks. Full-time master's and doctoral students have wider rights. More in working while studying in Europe.
Extending the permit
Permits are usually issued for one year at a time, and for the period your tuition covers. The University of Latvia asks students to submit extension documents at least 40 days before the permit expires. A decision can take up to three months, and you may stay in Latvia while it is processed.
Where to look next
- How to get into a university in Latvia
- How much it costs to study in Latvia
- Document recognition for Latvia
- Student housing in Latvia
- All programmes in Latvia
- Student visas in Europe: an overview
Official sources
- PMLP: Residence permit for studies: Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs
- University of Latvia: Visas and residence permits
- Immigration Law: Section 9 on students' right to work (likumi.lv, English translation)
- Cabinet Regulation No. 225 on foreigners' financial means: likumi.lv, in Latvian
Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.