If you want to study in a smaller Baltic country, Latvia may be a strong option. Perched by the Baltic Sea, it’s home to universities with affordable fees.
As with most European countries, non-EU/EEA/Swiss students may need a Latvian long-stay student visa, a residence permit, or both to study in the country. Rules vary according to nationality, the location where you apply, and the instructions of the Latvian embassy or visa center responsible for your application.
Here’s how to apply for your residence permit and student visa.
Steps on Applying for a Latvian Student Visa
You can get your Latvian student visa and/or residence permit by following these general steps:
Step 1. Apply at a Latvian University
Before applying for a visa or residence permit, you will need to be accepted into or enrolled in a study program at a Latvian higher education institution. The university normally helps with key documents, such as an OCMA-approved invitation, written certification of enrollment, and a signed study agreement.
Step 2. Gather the Remaining Requirements
Once your university documents are ready, gather the remaining requirements. The exact list can vary by country, embassy, and visa center, so always check the instructions published by the Latvian mission that serves your place of residence.
Step 3. Apply for a Residence Permit First
This step applies when the Latvian embassy responsible for your country requires students to obtain residence permit approval before traveling. However, this sequence is not universal. Some third-country students apply for a long-stay Type D visa first and then obtain or register their residence permit after arriving in Latvia.
For a residence permit connected with studies at an accredited higher education institution, the usual documents include:
- Completed application form
- Full copy of your passport
- Photograph
- Proof of subsistence. The general required subsistence level is EUR 780 per month, unless a different category-specific rule applies.
- Document confirming state duty payment
- Study agreement
- Invitation number or invitation filed with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs by the university
- Additional documents required by the relevant embassy or visa center, such as proof of accommodation, previous education documents, an Academic Information Centre statement if issued or required, and a police certificate when required
You may need to book an appointment to submit your documents to the Latvian embassy, a consular section, OCMA, or an authorized visa processing center, depending on your location and nationality.
Payment methods vary by location. State fees may be paid by payment card or bank transfer where accepted, while embassies and visa centers may have their own payment rules and service fees.
Step 4. Wait for Permit Approval
The residence permit decision is made by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs in Latvia. Processing time starts when OCMA receives the application documents, not necessarily when you submit them to an embassy or visa center.
If your application is approved and your procedure requires a Type D visa for travel, you may then proceed with the visa application.
Step 5. Submit Your Visa Application Documents
If there is a Latvian embassy in your location, you may book your appointment and submit the requirements directly to the office if that mission accepts student visa applications.
In some countries, applications may be handled by another Schengen country’s embassy or by an authorized visa processing center such as VFS Global.
Long-stay visa applications are generally accepted no earlier than three months before the start of the intended visit. Because residence permit and document-verification timelines can be longer, students should check the relevant embassy instructions early and apply as soon as they are allowed to do so.
Step 6. Pay the Visa Application Fees
The standard long-stay Type D visa fee is EUR 90. If you apply through a visa processing center, service fees may also apply.
Payment methods depend on where you apply. Some embassies accept bank cards, while visa centers may collect payment according to their own procedures.
Step 7. Wait for the Visa to be Issued
A decision on a long-stay visa application is normally made within 15 calendar days after all documents have been submitted. If additional information or further scrutiny is required, the decision may take up to 60 days.
Step 8. Collect Your Visa
You may collect your Latvian student visa from the embassy, consulate, or visa processing center, or receive your passport by delivery if that option is available at your application location.
Step 9. Fly to Latvia
Congratulations on getting your entry visa and/or residence permit approval! You may now fly to Latvia.
After arrival, make an appointment with OCMA if you need to obtain or register your residence permit card.
Documents Needed for Latvian Student Visa Applications
Citizens of EU Member States, EEA countries, and Switzerland do not need a visa to enter Latvia. Citizens of many other listed countries may also enter Latvia without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens staying in Latvia for a longer period generally use the residence documentation for Union citizens rather than a standard third-country residence permit.
On the other hand, residents of visa-required countries usually need to apply for a long-stay entry visa, also known as a Type D visa, and may also need a residence permit for studies. The correct sequence depends on nationality and the Latvian mission responsible for the application.
A Type D visa allows entry and stay according to the visa issued. It does not replace a residence permit when a residence permit is required for long-term studies. A third-country national holding a valid long-stay visa issued by a Schengen state may travel to other Schengen states for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
The common requirements are the following:
Passport
Your passport should be valid for at least three months after your intended departure date or after the visa period applied for. It should have at least two blank pages and should generally have been issued within the previous 10 years.
Visa Application Form
You may access the application form at this website.
Photo
The application photo should measure 35 by 45 mm and should generally have a white or light background.
To prevent processing delays, make sure that the picture has been taken within the last six months.
OCMA-Approved Invitation
After the institution accepts you, it normally files an invitation with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. For student visa purposes, the invitation should generally be dated no later than six months before the application date.
Written Certification
This may be provided by the university as well. It should include details about your enrollment or matriculation, your planned arrival in Latvia, and the duration or completion requirements of the study program.
Signed Study Agreement
This document will be provided by the institution as well.
Proof of Previous Education
This should include your prior diplomas and/or mark sheets. Some applicants may also need an Academic Information Centre statement or other education-recognition documents, depending on the embassy or university instructions.
Proof of Accommodation
You need to provide proof of your intended residence in Latvia. This may be a university dormitory confirmation, a rental contract, or another document accepted by the relevant Latvian mission.
Proof of Financial Means
You will usually need to submit a bank statement showing account activity within the last three months, along with a duly signed and stamped bank balance confirmation. Some missions may also ask for an international debit or credit card that can be used for euro transactions.
As of April 1, 2026, the general required subsistence level for a residence permit is EUR 780 per month. Amounts can change, and different rules may apply for accompanying family members or specific residence categories, so applicants should confirm the current requirement before applying.
Proof of Sponsorship
If somebody else will sponsor your studies, you may need to submit the following papers as well:
- Notarized sponsorship declaration
- Proof of the sponsor’s professional status
- Employed: Employment contract and pay stubs for the last three months
- Self-employed: Company registration and company bank statements for the previous three months
- Additional documents requested by the relevant Latvian mission, such as tax records or proof of relationship, if applicable
Ticket Reservation
A ticket reservation is not always listed as a standard student Type D visa document, but the embassy or border authorities may request proof of travel plans, such as a return or onward ticket, depending on your case.
Travel Insurance
Your travel medical insurance should be valid for the whole Schengen Area and cover the entire intended visit. For many student Type D visa applications, the minimum coverage is EUR 42,600 and the insurance should cover urgent medical care, emergency hospital treatment, medical transportation, and repatriation in the event of death.
Some missions require insurance for 90 days, while some post-residence-permit entry visa procedures require insurance that matches the shorter visa validity. Always follow the instructions of the Latvian mission or visa center where you apply.
We hope that this article on getting a student visa for Latvia was helpful! If you are interested in studying in Europe, make sure to check out Available Programs in Europe for International Students.
