{"about":"Student visa facts for Latvia, as read on official pages. Each statement names its source and the day it was checked. Information, not legal advice; the visa authority decides.","publisher":"ForiForeign","page":"https://foriforeign.com/study-in/lv/student-visa","destination":{"code":"LV","name":"Latvia"},"visa":"Temporary residence permit for studies","authority":"Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP/OCMA)","official_portal":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en","last_checked":"2026-10-13","facts":[{"key":"admission_document","label":"The admission document you need first","text":"An agreement on studies at an accredited higher education institution, with the invitation approved at PMLP.","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/studies","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"documents","label":"Documents the official page lists","text":"","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/studies","checked_at":"2026-09-15","list":["Full passport copy","Residence permit request form","Photograph","Proof of subsistence","Proof of state fee payment","Agreement on studies in Latvia","For accompanying children: relationship document and notarised consent of the other parent"]},{"key":"funds","label":"Money you must show","text":"From 1 April 2026 the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs sets the money to show for a residence permit at the minimum monthly wage, EUR 780 a month, in every case its rules do not list separately. Its own page on studies, not updated since 2022, still says 500 euros per month. Practical guidance, not an official rule: prepare for the higher, current figure.","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/necessary-subsistence-0","checked_at":"2026-10-13","amount":780,"currency":"EUR","period":"per month"},{"key":"tuition_evidence","label":"Proof of tuition","text":"The PMLP studies page lists no separate tuition payment proof.","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/studies","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"application_fee","label":"What the application costs","text":"State fee for reviewing the documents for a temporary residence permit: EUR 160 for a decision within 30 days, EUR 280 within 10 working days, EUR 560 within 5 working days.","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/state-fee-issuing-residence-permit","checked_at":"2026-10-13","amount":160,"currency":"EUR","period":"one-off"},{"key":"health","label":"Health insurance","text":"Staying without a valid health insurance policy is an administrative offence; the studies page sets no coverage amount.","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/frequently-asked-questions","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"language","label":"Language","text":"No language proficiency requirement is listed on the PMLP studies page.","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/studies","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"where_to_apply","label":"Where you apply","text":"From abroad at a Latvian embassy; e-signed documents can go to PMLP by e-address or email.","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/where-documents-may-be-filed-0","checked_at":"2026-09-15","mode":"mixed"},{"key":"processing_time","label":"How long the decision takes","text":"Maximum processing time for a residence permit application is four months from submission (new law from 15 September 2026).","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/article/new-immigration-law-takes-effect-key-changes-and-regulations","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"tb_or_medical","label":"Medical examination","text":"PMLP document-validity rules mention an X-ray or fluorography statement valid one year; the studies page does not list it.","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/frequently-asked-questions","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"translation","label":"Translations","text":"From 15 September 2026, documents for a visa or first temporary residence permit may be submitted in Latvian or English.","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/article/new-immigration-law-takes-effect-key-changes-and-regulations","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"dependants","label":"Family members","text":"From 15 September 2026, students may bring family only if they are NATO member-state citizens or doctoral students.","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/article/new-immigration-law-takes-effect-key-changes-and-regulations","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"on_arrival","label":"After you arrive","text":"The new law sets two-year permits in several cases and abolishes annual permit registration.","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/article/new-immigration-law-takes-effect-key-changes-and-regulations","checked_at":"2026-09-15"}],"fees":[{"kind":"government_fee","label":"Visa fee (government)","amount":160,"currency":"EUR","period":"one-off","up_to":false,"text":"State fee for reviewing the documents for a temporary residence permit: EUR 160 for a decision within 30 days, EUR 280 within 10 working days, EUR 560 within 5 working days.","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/state-fee-issuing-residence-permit","checked_at":"2026-10-13"}],"how_to_apply":[{"key":"how_application","label":"How the application is lodged","text":"The university first files an invitation with OCMA, then the student books an embassy appointment and hands in the residence permit questionnaire and documents in person. The embassy does not accept documents by mail.","source_url":"https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/uae/consular-information/how-to-apply-for-a-residence-permit-and-a-long-term-visa-for-studies-in-latvia","checked_at":"2026-10-06","portal_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/application-requiring-residence-permit","portal_name":"Embassy of Latvia consular section; application decided by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA/PMLP)","form_name":"Questionnaire for requesting a residence permit for citizens of third countries"},{"key":"how_payment","label":"How the fee is paid","text":"The consular fee and the state fee are paid at the embassy during the appointment, by bank card only.","source_url":"https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/uae/consular-information/how-to-apply-for-a-residence-permit-and-a-long-term-visa-for-studies-in-latvia","checked_at":"2026-10-06"},{"key":"how_interview","label":"Interview","text":"At the embassy appointment the student hands in the documents and is interviewed by a consular officer.","source_url":"https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/uae/consular-information/how-to-apply-for-a-residence-permit-and-a-long-term-visa-for-studies-in-latvia","checked_at":"2026-10-06"},{"key":"how_processing_time","label":"Processing time, as the application page states it","text":"OCMA reviews the application within 30 days for the standard state fee, or within 10 or 5 working days for a higher fee, counted after OCMA receives the documents.","source_url":"https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/egypt/study-in-latvia/how-to-apply-for-a-residence-permit-in-to-study-in-latvia","checked_at":"2026-10-06"},{"key":"how_decision_and_passport","label":"The decision and your passport","text":"OCMA decides the residence permit; only after a positive decision does the student apply for a D type visa at VFS Global to travel.","source_url":"https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/uae/consular-information/how-to-apply-for-a-residence-permit-and-a-long-term-visa-for-studies-in-latvia","checked_at":"2026-10-06"}],"steps":[{"n":1,"title":"Admission and invitation approval","detail":"Get a study agreement; your inviter (the institution) must approve the invitation at PMLP before you submit.","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/studies"},{"n":2,"title":"Prepare documents","detail":"Passport copy, request form, photo, proof of subsistence, study agreement; documents in Latvian or English under the new law.","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/studies"},{"n":3,"title":"Pay the state fee","detail":"Pay the review fee for a temporary residence permit by card at PMLP or bank transfer.","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/state-fee-issuing-residence-permit"},{"n":4,"title":"Submit","detail":"From abroad, submit at a Latvian embassy; e-signed documents can also be sent to PMLP electronically.","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/where-documents-may-be-filed-0"},{"n":5,"title":"Wait for the decision","detail":"Under the Immigration Law in force from 15 September 2026 processing takes no more than four months.","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/article/new-immigration-law-takes-effect-key-changes-and-regulations"},{"n":6,"title":"Collect the permit","detail":"Pay the residence permit document issuance fee and collect the permit.","source_url":"https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/state-fee-issuing-residence-permit"}],"not_stated_on_the_official_pages":["fingerprints and photo","a police certificate"],"applicant_country_pages":[{"country":"PK","name":"Pakistan","page":"https://foriforeign.com/study-in/lv/student-visa/from/pakistan"}]}