Latvia permanent residence permit

The general route is for foreigners who have lived in Latvia with a temporary residence permit for five years. Separate routes give permanent residence to the spouse of a Latvian citizen, non-citizen or permanent resident on the third application, to minor children of such sponsors directly, to refugees, and to former Latvian citizens or non-citizens who acquired another citizenship. Instead of the national permanent permit you can request the status of EU long-term resident, which also requires A2 Latvian and regular income for the last 12 months of at least the minimum monthly wage.

OCMA’s checklist for the five-year route asks for the questionnaire, a copy of the passport, a photo, proof of means of EUR 780 a month, a document confirming your place of residence if it will change, a state language certificate at level A2 and the fee receipt. Persons who studied in accredited Latvian-language programmes, those under 15 or over 75, and people with health-related exemptions certified by a rehabilitation doctor do not take the language test.

Under Regulation No. 731 the review of a permanent residence permit costs EUR 160 within 30 days or EUR 280 within 10 working days; the same tariff applies to EU long-term resident status. Registering a permanent permit later costs EUR 60, EUR 140 or EUR 290 depending on speed, and the card EUR 45 (EUR 80 in two working days).

Applicants already living in Latvia send the documents to any OCMA territorial division, either electronically with each document signed with a secure electronic signature or by post with an e-mail address and phone number. No invitation is required to request or register a permanent permit. OCMA may hold an interview and check other information before deciding.

A refusal can be contested within 30 days in Latvian to the Head of OCMA and then appealed in court.

Permanent residents can invite relatives for visits through OCMA-approved invitations. Their spouses and minor children can obtain residence permits on family grounds. Holders of a Latvian residence permit can travel in other Schengen states for up to 90 days in 180 days, but not for employment there.