Who the Client Was
An Armenian citizen based in the UAE, working remotely as an IT specialist for a large international company.
In spring 2026, with the situation in the UAE growing unstable, he started looking for a way to move his family to Europe — not as a temporary measure, but permanently. He needed housing, schools, a university for the children, and a legal status that would let the family live and work normally.
The Task
The Client’s Task
Residence permits for four people: the client, his spouse, and two minor children.
Timing was the controlling factor. His eldest daughter was about to turn 18. Under Latvian immigration law, a child who obtains a residence permit as a family member before reaching adulthood retains the right to renew under family reunification after turning 18. Miss that window, and the option is gone permanently.
The instruction was clear: finish everything before the daughter’s birthday.
Why Latvia
Why the Client Chose Latvia
Several European countries were on the list. Latvia came out ahead for four reasons: residence permits are available through a real estate purchase, which meant resolving status and housing in a single transaction; processing times are shorter than most EU member states; Latvian universities run English-language programmes with tuition fees well below those in Germany or the Netherlands; and a Latvian residence permit places no restrictions on remote work for a foreign employer.
Options
Options Considered
We consulted on the Golden Visa programme and walked through two routes.
1. Bank Deposit
A deposit in a Latvian bank of at least €280,000, plus the applicable state fee.
2. Real Estate Purchase
Residential property with a cadastral or transaction value of at least €250,000.
The client chose real estate. He wanted to resolve the housing question at the same time as the status question.
Main Challenges
The Main Challenges
1. A Tight Deadline
From the first consultation to residence permit cards in hand: roughly three months. A delay at any stage would have broken the timeline and cost the daughter her eligibility for family reunification renewal.
2. Unstable Flight Connections
Flights out of the UAE were being cancelled and rescheduled with little notice. The client’s required in-person visit to Latvia had to be planned with that uncertainty built in.
Work Scope
What We Did
We handled the full process — from the first visa to the final residence permit card.
The work included:
We also brought in a tax consultant. The client earns international income through remote work, and the tax residency question required separate analysis before the relocation was finalised.
Process
How the Process Went
To choose a property, the client had to visit in person. We prepared an official invitation through the immigration authority; the family received visas through the consulate in the UAE in about two weeks.
During the visit, we organised viewings. The client selected an apartment, then left Latvia and signed a power of attorney. From that point, we acted independently on his behalf.
The remaining steps, in order:
Notarial deed signed
Funds transferred to the seller
Ownership registered in the Latvian Land Register
Residence permit application submitted electronically
Positive decision received
Visas processed through VFS Global
Family arrived in Latvia and collected residence permit cards
In practice, PMLP processed the application in a few business days. Post-decision visas came through in five days. Cards were issued in Latvia within three business days of arrival.
Concerns
What the Client Was Worried About
His primary concern was simple: running out of time before the daughter’s birthday. Beyond that, he was anxious about processing delays, complications with the post-approval visas, and possible questions about the source of funds.
In our experience, the source-of-funds review is where applications slow down. We treated it as the highest-risk element from the start, verified every document in the package before submission, and prepared detailed financing confirmation. No additional requests came from the immigration authority.
Why Us
Why the Client Chose Us
He had spoken with several companies. In his own words, our consultation was the most specific and concrete. What mattered to him: demonstrated experience with the Golden Visa route, full coverage of the real estate transaction, a clear understanding of the deadline pressure, and the ability to get immigration and tax advice from one team.
Result
Result
All four family members received a residence permit in Latvia. The process finished before the daughter’s 18th birthday. An apartment in Riga was purchased and registered. The children are entitled to study anywhere in the EU. Tax implications of the move were addressed before departure.
Total time from initial consultation to residence permit cards: approximately three months.
Reach Out
Leave your details and our lawyer will get back to you within one business day.
