The Latvia Golden Visa program, officially known as Latvia’s Residence Permit for Investment, offers non-EU nationals a lawful, transparent pathway to European residency by making a qualifying investment in the Latvian economy. Successful applicants obtain a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) (Pagaidu uzturēšanās atļauja) that can lead to permanent residency and, ultimately, citizenship by naturalization after meeting the statutory conditions. With a minimum investment starting at €50,000, successful applicants and their families gain access to a range of benefits.

Schengen Area Access - Latvia offers compelling travel benefits for investors and their families. The temporary residence card allows you to live, work and study in Latvia and includes the bonus of being able to travel visa-free through the 29 countries within the European Schengen Area and ETIAS.

Minimal Presence Requirement - Importantly, Latvia’s program requires investors to maintain their investment, but it does not impose minimum physical presence requirements. However, the applicant must go to Latvia at least once per year to renew the TRP.

Family Inclusion - Similar to other EU investor pathways, the principal applicant can extend coverage to eligible family members such as the applicant’s spouse and minor children (under 18). Each family member will receive their own residence permit card tied to the principal investor’s application.

Following an initial consultation and risk profile assessment with our team at Immigration Diligence along with our partners in Latvia, we will work to assess which investment route works best for you.

We’ll determine the most appropriate investment route - real estate, business investment, bank deposit, or government bonds - based on your risk tolerance, liquidity preferences, and long-term plans.

Once you have retained your lawyer and initial paperwork has been completed, you will begin the process of collecting your source‑of‑funds documentation, which typically includes bank statements showing accumulation of funds over time, income records, tax filings, business ownership documents, dividend records, or contracts evidencing asset sales.

Once documentation is gathered and verified by our partners in Latvia, we will assist you in meeting the investment requirements and any associated fees.

For applicants choosing the Latvian Company Share Capital Investment route, we will work jointly with you and with our partners in Latvia to select and invest in a company that is eligible to receive foreign investor capital.

Real Estate investors will need to identify an eligible property, sign the purchase agreement, transfer the required funds and register ownership in the Latvian Land Register.

Bank Deposit investors must select an eligible Latvian credit institution, open a qualifying deposit account, deposit the required €280,000, and execute a subordinated or fixed-term deposit agreement for the legally mandated term.

Applicants seeking to invest in government bonds must subscribe to eligible Latvian state securities through an approved financial intermediary, transfer the full investment amount of €280,000, and hold the bonds for the minimum required period.

No matter which investment pathway you select, rest assured that our experienced team at Immigration Diligence, along with our partners in Latvia, will guide you every step of the way.

The residence permit application is formally submitted to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvalde) (OCMA / PMLP). At this stage, the authorities will review the legality and sufficiency of the investment, your background and security profile and overall compliance with immigration, health, and financial regulations.

Standard processing times typically range from 30 to 90 days, depending on application volume and completeness.

During this phase, OCMA has the legal right to request clarification of source of funds, confirmation of investment ownership, updated insurance coverage, or corrections to translations or certifications.

Following approval, OCMA will issue a decision granting the right to obtain a temporary residence permit, conditional upon biometric enrollment. This decision does not yet confer residence rights; it authorises the applicant to proceed to the final in-person step.

Following approval of the application and upon arrival in Latvia, you will attend a scheduled appointment at the OCMA office. During this appointment, biometric data is collected, including fingerprints and a facial photograph. All applicants on the application must submit biometric data.

After biometrics are recorded, the TRP card is issued. The TRP is valid for up to five years, subject to continued compliance with investment and legal requirements.

Once your TRP has been issued, the focus shifts from approval to long-term compliance and renewals, which are critical to preserving your lawful residence and keeping future permanent residence and citizenship options open.

To maintain valid status, you must continuously hold the qualifying investment used in your original application.The investment must be maintained for the full five-year period. If the qualifying real estate is sold or the financial investment is withdrawn before this period ends, the residence permit may be revoked. Government fees must also be paid annually in accordance with Latvian immigration regulations.

Residence permits issued under the investment framework are valid for one year at a time, with renewal applications submitted before expiration.

After maintaining continuous, lawful residence in Latvia for five years, investors may become eligible to transition from temporary residence status to permanent residence. This step represents a major legal shift from a renewable, investment-dependent permit to a more stable, long-term right of residence.

Under Latvian immigration law, eligibility for permanent residence is generally assessed after five years of uninterrupted legal residence, provided that residence permits have been renewed on time and all conditions of stay have been followed. These conditions include investment maintenance where required, meeting Latvia’s minimum physical presence expectations, achieving Latvian language proficiency and having no criminal convictions or violations of public order or national security.

Unlike temporary residence permits, permanent residence status is not tied to annual renewals and offers significantly enhanced stability.

You will become eligible to apply for Latvian citizenship after ten years of legal residence, typically consisting of five years of temporary residence, followed by five years of permanent residence.

Both periods must be lawful, continuous, and uninterrupted. Any gaps in residence status, late renewals, or permit cancellations may reset the eligibility clock.

At the time of application, candidates must demonstrate a genuine and sustained connection to Latvia, not merely historical residence. Authorities evaluate the applicant’s integration into Latvian society, legal compliance, and long-term intent.

Applicants must pass a Latvian language proficiency examination - currently assessed at B1 level under Latvia’s officially recognized language framework. This is a higher standard than what is required for permanent residence and reflects the government’s emphasis on functional civic integration.

Applicants must pass examinations on the Latvian Constitution (Satversme), national history, and symbols, and must also demonstrate a clean criminal record (both in Latvia and abroad), lawful income and financial self-sufficiency, and no history of actions against Latvia's independence, constitutional order, or national security. Finally, applicants must confirm their loyalty to the Republic of Latvia by taking a formal oath of allegiance.

At Immigration Diligence, we work closely with you alongside our local partners to ensure that your application is handled with the care and diligence it deserves. Reach out to us today for more information on the Latvia Golden Visa process.