How To Apply For Latvia Digital Nomad Visa

Latvia, a small Eastern European country nestled between Estonia and Lithuania, is off the radar of most digital nomads and tourists. However, Latvia is a very ideal place to live if you are looking for an authentic and unique Eastern European experience.

Latvia offers visitors various outdoor activities such as national parks, beaches, forests, waterfalls, and other scenic attractions. If you are looking for an attractive but less visited Baltic Sea destination, then cities like Jurmala are great choices. Riga, the country’s capital, is also well worth visiting due to the city's stunning architecture, culture, and history.

Latvia received around 1.9 million visitors in 2019, and the country hopes to attract more visitors moving forward. Latvia recently introduced a digital nomad visa for countries that are a part of the OECD. This new program allows digital nomads to spend up to one year living and working in Latvia. This could be an excellent option if you want to explore a unique, relatively unknown country and travel to nearby countries such as Estonia, Lithuania, and Belarus.

Old Town Hall Square in Riga, Latvia

DIGITAL NOMAD VISA OVERVIEW

The Latvian Parliament amended the country’s immigration laws in June 2022, which provided the legal framework for digital nomads to become legal residents of Latvia. These laws clearly define who is eligible to apply for the visa and provide more clarity regarding the application process and processing times. The laws and regulations of this digital nomad visa are similar to that of other Eastern European digital nomad visa programs. Applicants must prove that they perform work for a company outside of Latvia, and they must also meet the income requirements.

The visa is initially valid for one year, and you have the option to renew it for another year. Once this is up, the person can apply to be a temporary resident if they are eligible. If not, they can leave Latvia for six months and reapply for the digital nomad visa. Other visa and residency programs are available if you later decide you want to stay in Latvia for longer than two years.

Latvia river in Riga

COST OF LIVING IN LATVIA

Latvia is an attractive option for digital nomads interested in Europe, although several countries have lower income requirements and a lower cost of living. Nevertheless, Latvia is still a very affordable place for digital nomads to live. The average salary in Latvia is only around €1126/month ($1229 USD), which will make it very easy for someone to save money if they meet the income requirements of this program. Rent can be a bit more expensive in places like Riga or other larger cities. One-bedroom apartments listed on Airbnb typically cost around $450-600 USD per month.

One key factor digital nomads are concerned about is the internet. After all, without the internet, they can’t work. Fortunately, Latvia ranks fifth among the EU, ahead of Estonia and Lithuania on speed. You can check the prices here as it is a Latvian internet company. Remember it will be in euros, and the ratio as of this writing is €1:$1.03 USD. An internet of about 500 MB could cost you around $52 USD.

Authentic Christmas Market in Riga

WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE LATVIAN DIGITAL NOMAD VISA?

This application is open to people who are citizens of OECD countries. You can find the complete list of OECD countries here. Furthermore, the applicant must be a self-employed or employed individual who works for a company outside of Latvia. The applicant must also prove that they make 2.5 times the average monthly salary in Latvia. Applicants must demonstrate that they consistently made this amount during the six months before the application. Current laws also state that you can apply if you have a business registered in an OECD country or if you work for a company registered in an OECD country.

One relative downside to this visa is that you cannot bring family members with you. Anyone coming with you must complete an application independently and meet all the work and income requirements.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

In order to apply, you need to submit the following documents:

• Copy of passport and two passport photos
• Proof of health insurance. This policy must cover you for up to €42,600 ($44,202 USD)
• Proof of employment or self-employment (contracts/pay stubs/tax returns/etc.)
• Proof that the applicant made 2.5 times the average monthly salary during the six months before applying
• Certificate from tax authorities that the individual is self-employed
• Proof of accommodation in Latvia
• Justification documents, which include an overview of why the applicant wants to stay in Latvia

The application process is relatively straightforward, and it is not very expensive to apply. It costs €60 ($62 USD) to apply or €120 ($125 USD) if you want an expedited review.  Once you submit a completed application, It takes around 15 days for the application to be processed. You can also apply in the country if you are from a visa-exempt country. Visa-exempt foreign nationals can also apply by submitting their application to the Consular Post while in the country.

Related content: The Basics Of How To Get A Second Passport Or A Second Residency

Public medieval park in the center of old Cesis, Latvia

RESIDENCE BY INVESTMENT PROGRAM

If you decide that you want to stay in Latvia long term, then there are several options available for you. Latvia also has a residency by investment program, initially introduced in 2010. It is one of the most competitive programs in Europe because it only requires an investment of €50,000 ($53,862 USD). This program allows you to receive permanent residency after five years and then receive citizenship after ten years. The type of investment can vary, including real estate, a bank deposit, business investment, or investment in bonds. This is an excellent option to consider, as many competing programs may require an investment of €200,000 ($206,068 USD) or more.

Baltic Sea, Latvia

TAKEAWAY

Latvia has one of Europe’s most intriguing digital nomad visa programs. One of Europe’s fastest internet for a fair value, and Latvia is an excellent destination if you are interested in Eastern Europe but want to avoid popular destinations like Croatia or Hungary. The application requirements for this program are not very complex, and Latvia is an exciting and low-cost destination for digital nomads. If you decide you want to stay in Latvia long term after the initial 1-2 years, then there is an excellent Residency by Investment program. This program only requires an investment of €50,000 ($51,517 USD) and can eventually lead to citizenship after 10 years.