Long-Stay Visa for Remote Work

Latvia's Long-Stay Visa for Remote Work allows third-country nationals employed by companies registered in OECD member states, or self-employed persons registered in OECD countries, to live in Latvia for up to one year while working remotely. Established through amendments to the Immigration Law in June 2022, the program is administered by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP). It targets remote employees, freelancers, and self-employed professionals who earn income from outside Latvia and wish to reside in the country without entering the local labour market.

• Third-country national (EU/EEA citizens do not need this visa)
• Employed by an employer registered in an OECD member state with at least 6 months of continuous employment, or self-employed and registered in an OECD country
• Monthly income of at least EUR 4,213 (2.5 times the Latvian average gross salary)
• Ability to perform work duties remotely
• Valid health insurance covering Latvia and all Schengen states with minimum coverage of EUR 42,600
• Proof of accommodation in Latvia
• Citizens of the Russian Federation are excluded from this visa category

• Valid passport
• Completed visa application form (available as an e-form on the PMLP website)
• Recent photograph (not older than 6 months)
• Health insurance policy with minimum EUR 42,600 liability, valid in Latvia and the Schengen area
• Proof of intended place of residence in Latvia
• Proof of state fee payment (EUR 90)
• For employees: tax or social insurance certificate from an OECD country, plus employer letter confirming at least 6 months of employment, salary meeting the minimum threshold, and remote work capability
• For self-employed: tax authority certificate from an OECD country confirming income over the last 6 months meets the minimum threshold

The visa is issued for up to one year. It can be renewed once for an additional year by submitting a new application with updated documentation no later than three working days before the current visa expires. After two consecutive years on this visa, a mandatory 6-month cooling-off period applies before you can reapply for the same visa type.

Digital nomad visa holders who become Latvian tax residents and are citizens of an OECD member state may elect a flat 15% personal income tax rate on their remote work income. This preferential rate applies for 365 days from the date of becoming a Latvian tax resident. Holders who choose this rate cannot apply deductions for education, medical expenses, donations, pension contributions, or insurance premiums. Without this election, standard progressive rates of 20%, 23%, and 31% apply.

Applications can be submitted by mail or courier to the PMLP Migration Division in Riga (Čiekurkalna 1. līnija 1, k.3, LV-1026), at any PMLP territorial division outside Riga, or at Latvian embassies and consulates abroad. An electronic application form is available on the PMLP website. The standard processing time is up to 15 days, with an extended review period of up to 60 days if additional information is required. The application fee is EUR 90 (EUR 180 if submitted fewer than three working days before the deadline).

As a national long-stay (D) visa, this visa allows holders to travel to other Schengen member states for up to 90 days within any 180-day period during the visa's validity.

Visa holders may only work remotely for entities outside Latvia. Local employment in Latvia is strictly prohibited. The visa does not directly lead to permanent residency or citizenship, though holders may apply for a temporary residence permit under a separate category during the visa's validity without leaving the country.