In short: To study in Latvia as an international student you apply for: Temporary residence permit for studies. From abroad at a Latvian embassy; e-signed documents can go to PMLP by e-address or email. 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. Maximum processing time for a residence permit application is four months from submission (new law from 15 September 2026). Every line on this page was read on an official page, which is linked beside it; the facts were last checked on 13 October 2026.
| Visa or permit | Temporary residence permit for studies |
|---|---|
| Application fee | EUR 160 one-off (pmlp.gov.lv) |
| Money to show | EUR 780 per month (pmlp.gov.lv) |
| Processing time | Maximum processing time for a residence permit application is four months from submission (new law from 15 September 2026). (pmlp.gov.lv) |
| Where you apply | From abroad at a Latvian embassy; e-signed documents can go to PMLP by e-address or email. (pmlp.gov.lv) |
| Last checked |
Authority: Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP/OCMA). Official portal: OCMA Latvia.
An agreement on studies at an accredited higher education institution, with the invitation approved at PMLP.
Source: pmlp.gov.lv · checked on
Source: pmlp.gov.lv · checked on
The PMLP studies page lists no separate tuition payment proof.
Source: pmlp.gov.lv · checked on
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: pmlp.gov.lv · checked on
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: pmlp.gov.lv · checked on
| Charge | Amount | What the official page says | Source, checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa fee (government) | EUR 160 one-off | 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. | pmlp.gov.lv, 13 October 2026 |
From abroad at a Latvian embassy; e-signed documents can go to PMLP by e-address or email.
Source: pmlp.gov.lv · checked on
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.
Embassy of Latvia consular section; application decided by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA/PMLP): pmlp.gov.lv · form: Questionnaire for requesting a residence permit for citizens of third countries
Source: www2.mfa.gov.lv · checked on
The consular fee and the state fee are paid at the embassy during the appointment, by bank card only.
Source: www2.mfa.gov.lv · checked on
At the embassy appointment the student hands in the documents and is interviewed by a consular officer.
Source: www2.mfa.gov.lv · checked on
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: www2.mfa.gov.lv · checked on
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: www2.mfa.gov.lv · checked on
Steps as read on the official pages; checked on 15 September 2026.
Maximum processing time for a residence permit application is four months from submission (new law from 15 September 2026).
Source: pmlp.gov.lv · checked on
Staying without a valid health insurance policy is an administrative offence; the studies page sets no coverage amount.
Source: pmlp.gov.lv · checked on
PMLP document-validity rules mention an X-ray or fluorography statement valid one year; the studies page does not list it.
Source: pmlp.gov.lv · checked on
No language proficiency requirement is listed on the PMLP studies page.
Source: pmlp.gov.lv · checked on
From 15 September 2026, documents for a visa or first temporary residence permit may be submitted in Latvian or English.
Source: pmlp.gov.lv · checked on
From 15 September 2026, students may bring family only if they are NATO member-state citizens or doctoral students.
Source: pmlp.gov.lv · checked on
The new law sets two-year permits in several cases and abolishes annual permit registration.
Source: pmlp.gov.lv · checked on
We did not find these on the official pages we read for Latvia: fingerprints and photo, a police certificate. That means "not stated on the pages we read", not "not required": ask the authority above, or check the official portal, before you apply.
The official pages say more for applicants in: Pakistan.
Which office handles applications from some other countries, as the official pages state:
ForiForeign prepares your student visa application with you and guides you through each step: the documents, the forms and the order to do them in. You file the application yourself with the authority named above, and that authority decides. ForiForeign is not a visa office or an agent of Latvia, and no one can promise a visa. Rules, fees and dates change: confirm each one on the official page linked beside it before you pay or travel.
The same facts for software and AI assistants: /facts/visa/lv.json.
ForiForeign.com · admin@foriforeign.com · WhatsApp +92 310 5048760 · Information drawn from official sources shown on each rule; not legal advice.
About · Contact · Privacy · Terms · Cookies · For consultancies · For universities · For employers · Policy updates