Latvia family reunification and spouse residence permit

OCMA lists these family grounds: spouse or minor child of a Latvian citizen, Latvian non-citizen or foreigner with a permanent residence permit; parents of a Latvian citizen or non-citizen who have reached retirement age; adult children of a Latvian citizen with their spouse and minor children; relatives up to the third degree, who can receive a permit once a calendar year for up to six months; and the spouse and minor children of a foreigner who lives in Latvia on a temporary residence permit, for example as an employee or Blue Card holder. A marriage with a Latvian citizen should be registered in the Latvian Population Register before applying.

Each family member submits the residence permit questionnaire, a self-certified copy of all used passport pages, a 3 x 4 cm photo, a criminal record certificate if over 14 and resident in a country for more than 12 months, proof of kinship such as a marriage or birth certificate, means of subsistence and the fee receipt. For a child who travels with only one parent, the other parent’s consent must be notarised or signed before an OCMA or embassy official, or a court ruling on custody must be presented.

OCMA’s current checklist for the spouse of a citizen or permanent resident asks for EUR 780 per month for the spouse and EUR 234 per month for each minor child, for the whole period of stay. The same amounts apply to family members accompanying workers, students and investors. The sponsor’s income, a job offer or savings can be used as evidence.

The sponsor pays EUR 17 for the call (EUR 10 through Latvija.gov.lv) plus EUR 10 per person. The review costs EUR 160 within 30 days, EUR 280 within 10 working days or EUR 560 within 5 working days; the card EUR 45; the entry D visa EUR 90. Regulation No. 731 keeps exemptions for family members of Latvian citizens and children under 12 for certain services, so check which fees apply to your case.

After OCMA approves the permit, you apply at the Latvian embassy or its visa application centre for a single-entry D visa valid for 30 days (fee EUR 90) and travel to Latvia. There you give biometrics at an OCMA office, pay the card fee and receive the residence permit card. As a permit holder you must declare your place of residence; the application form usually counts as the declaration, and later changes must be declared within one month, free of charge on Latvija.gov.lv or for EUR 4.27 at an office.

A spouse of a Latvian citizen, non-citizen or permanent resident receives a one-year temporary permit on the first application, a four-year temporary permit on the second and a permanent residence permit on the third. A minor child of such a sponsor receives a permanent permit directly. If the marriage ends and a minor child who is a Latvian citizen or non-citizen stays in the foreigner’s custody, a separate permit is available.

The sponsor, or a foreigner who did not need an invitation, may contest a refusal within 30 days in Latvian to the Head of OCMA; the decision can then be appealed in court.