Overview
Latvia’s new Imigrācijas likums was adopted by the Saeima on 20 August 2026 and entered into force on 15 September 2026. It replaces the previous framework, retains a number of existing grounds, and changes several things that directly affect foreign nationals, employers, and anyone planning to immigrate to Latvia.
This page covers the changes that matter most in practice.
- Five Residence Routes Are Now Closed to New Applicants
- A New €150,000 Investment Route Exists — but Is Not Yet Active
- Document Language Rules Have Changed
- Processing Times Under the New Law
- Permanent Residence: One Status Going Forward
- Startup Permits: More Options, Two Hard Limits
- Students and Family Reunification
- Early Integration: A New Requirement at 18 Months
- Which Situations Need Immediate Review
Five Residence Routes Are Now Closed to New Applicants
As of 15 September 2026, five grounds for a temporary Latvia residence permit no longer accept new applications:
- Purchase of real estate
- Investment in subordinated liabilities of a credit institution (the bank deposit route)
- Investment in Latvian government bonds
- Self-employed person status
- Individual merchant (IK)
Existing permit holders are covered by transitional provisions. Qualifying holders of permits issued on these grounds — and their family members — may apply for a repeated temporary residence permit for up to five years, provided the statutory transitional conditions are met. Permits already issued are not annulled.
If you hold one of these permits and are approaching renewal, the transitional rules need to be assessed individually. They do not function the same way as a new application.
The capital-investment route — an investment in the share capital of a Latvian company under Imigrācijas likums 27.(1)(10) — is retained and continues to operate.
A New €150,000 Investment Route Exists — but Is Not Yet Active
The law introduces a new residence permit ground based on an investment of at least €150,000 for a minimum of five years through a state-established alternative investment fund manager, plus a €10,000 payment into the state budget. PMLP confirmed on 15 September 2026 that the relevant fund had not yet been created. This route is unavailable until the fund is established. Our investment fund residence permit page sets out the requirements in full.
This ground (point 36 of Imigrācijas likums 27.(1)) is restricted for citizens of Russia and Belarus under the nationality restrictions set out in Imigrācijas likums 27. panta septītā un astotā daļa.
Document Language Rules Have Changed
Under Imigrācijas likums 5. pants (in force 15.09.2026), the accepted languages depend on what you are applying for:
- Initial temporary residence permit and visa applications: Latvian or English.
- Repeated temporary residence permit and permanent residence applications: Latvian only.
- Documents submitted by an inviter or sponsor: Latvian only.
The previous rule permitting Russian and German without certified translation was repealed on 15 September 2026. Budget for translation on every renewal cycle — this is now a fixed cost, not an optional one.
Process
Processing Times Under the New Law
Standard decision periods under Imigrācijas likums 33. pants:
- Temporary residence permit: 30 days from submission of a complete set of documents
- Permanent residence permit: 30 days
- EU Blue Card: 10 working days
Where objective reasons require it, the period may be extended — but the total may not exceed four months. Four months is a statutory ceiling, not the expected duration.
Permanent Residence: One Status Going Forward
The new law retains only one form of permanent residence status: EU long-term resident. Permanent residence is no longer granted on a first application under any category. The standard requirement is at least five years of residence in Latvia on a temporary residence permit, with a maximum of six months’ consecutive absence and ten months’ total absence over that period. A Latvian language exam at A2 level is required unless the applicant is exempt by law.
Startup Permits: More Options, Two Hard Limits
The startup residence permit ground has been expanded, but two restrictions apply from 15 September 2026.
First, a nationality filter: citizens of 25 states listed in Cabinet of Ministers regulations (MK noteikumi Nr. 554) cannot apply on this ground. The list includes Russia, Belarus, Iran, Syria, and 21 others. This restriction is specific to the startup route.
Second, a headcount cap: no more than five foreign nationals may hold a residence permit on a single startup project at the same time.
All applicants must still obtain approval of their business idea from the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) before filing with PMLP.
Students and Family Reunification
Under Imigrācijas likums 27. panta trešā daļa, a student who is not a citizen of a NATO member state and holds a permit for a first- or second-cycle programme cannot apply for residence permits for family members. Doctoral (third-cycle) students are not subject to this restriction.
If you are a non-NATO national considering relocating to Latvia for a bachelor’s or master’s programme and intend to bring family, this change affects your planning directly. See our student residence permit page for the route itself, and family reunification for the separate grounds available to other applicants.
Early Integration: A New Requirement at 18 Months
New under the current law: a foreign national whose cumulative residence in Latvia reaches 18 months must complete an early integration programme — Latvian language at A1 level, plus a course on Latvian culture and history. This obligation is separate from the A2 exam required for permanent residence.
Which Situations Need Immediate Review
The changes matter most for these groups:
- Holders of real estate, bank deposit, or government bond permits approaching renewal
- Self-employed persons and individual merchants with existing permits
- Students from non-NATO countries planning to bring family
- Startup founders from any of the 25 restricted states
- Anyone working from pre-September 2026 immigration guides or earlier legal advice
If your situation falls into any of these categories, the rules that applied when your permit was issued may no longer describe your renewal options accurately.
Book a 30-minute consultation — we will review your current status, identify which rules now apply to you, and set out the available options.
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