Legal assistance with employment documents in Latvia

Residence permits for work in Latvia

Legal assistance is provided to foreign nationals and Latvian employers with documents required for lawful employment in Latvia.

For foreign nationals

Do you already have an employer in Latvia?

To begin the temporary residence permit process, an employer must first be found. The foreign national’s and employer’s compliance with the applicable requirements is then carefully assessed, the documents are reviewed, and the most suitable procedure for the specific situation is determined. Individual attention is given to the foreign national’s circumstances, with the necessary documents prepared and support provided throughout the process.

Residence permit for employment
Document review and preparation

Job placement and employee recruitment services are not provided.

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LATVIA · RESIDENCE PERMITS

Residence and work

What is a residence permit for work?

A temporary residence permit allows a third-country national to reside and work in Latvia for the approved period.

For employment in Latvia

Residence permit for work

Process outcome: Upon successful completion of the procedure, the applicant receives a temporary residence permit card with the right to reside and work in Latvia for a specific employer and occupation, in accordance with the conditions granted. Before the process begins, the applicant’s and employer’s circumstances are assessed to determine whether they meet the requirements and which procedure applies to the particular case.
Employer documentation: The employer, proposed position, salary, working hours and other employment conditions are assessed for compliance with the applicable requirements. The vacancy information and employment documents are prepared and checked to ensure that the details are complete, accurate and mutually consistent. The NVA procedure is coordinated, the invitation request and supporting documents are prepared, and communication with the employer and PMLP is maintained until the invitation is approved.
Applicant document preparation: The applicant’s citizenship, current legal status, place of residence, country of filing and the requirements applicable to the individual case are assessed. A document checklist is prepared, and the content, validity, format, translations, certifications and consistency of the documents are reviewed. The applicant receives precise instructions, and their actions are coordinated for filing with a Latvian embassy abroad or PMLP in Latvia.
Process monitoring and completion: After filing, the progress of the application is monitored, deadlines are followed and the necessary communication with the employer, applicant and PMLP is maintained. If additional information is requested, the request is assessed and the required explanations, clarifications, corrections or supplementary documents are prepared. Following a positive decision, guidance is provided on receiving the residence permit card and completing the next steps required to begin employment.

In the standard procedure, the documents are prepared for a specific employer and occupation. Individual requirements depend on the applicant’s legal situation.

Total cost

Costs and timing

The estimated total for a standard case includes preparation and publication of the vacancy, the NVA procedure, government fees, document preparation, legal assistance and standard mandatory expenses.

Residence permit for work

€1,050–1,480All government fees and legal work included

Approximately 1.5 months if the applicant is in Latvia; up to 4 months if the applicant is outside Latvia

The exact total depends on the filing method, processing speed, insurance and the embassy. The price is confirmed after the initial document review.

Legal assistance

Coordinated process management from start to outcome

The stages described above are managed as one interconnected process. Legal assistance ensures that the employer’s and applicant’s documents, actions and deadlines remain aligned and that potential inconsistencies are addressed before they delay the review.

A single process plan

Following the initial assessment, the sequence of actions, the responsibilities of both parties and the relevant deadlines are determined for the particular case.

Consistency across documents

The information provided by the employer and applicant is compared and coordinated so that the full file presents consistent details about the position, employment and basis of residence.

Early prevention of risks and deficiencies

Missing information, contradictions, unsuitable documents and validity issues are identified before submission whenever possible, reducing the risk of delays and repeated requests.

Coordination between employer and applicant

Both parties receive clear instructions on what must be prepared, signed or completed and by when. The exchange of information and the sequence of actions are coordinated throughout the procedure.

Communication and representation before PMLP

Questions are clarified with PMLP, progress is monitored and the parties’ interests are represented within the scope of the authorisation granted.

Response to additional requests

If PMLP requests further information, the request is assessed, the necessary explanations, corrections or additional documents are prepared, and their timely submission is coordinated.

How the process works

From the initial assessment to receiving the residence permit card. Each stage follows the previous one, while the applicable procedure may vary according to the foreign national’s citizenship, legal status, location and intended employment.

Initial assessment

It is first determined whether the employer’s and foreign national’s circumstances allow the residence permit process for employment to begin. The intended position, remuneration, employment conditions, current legal status and possible place of filing are assessed. The applicable procedure, principal requirements and sequence of the following stages are then established.

Vacancy and NVA procedure

The information required for publishing the vacancy is prepared and checked against the intended employment conditions. Following publication, the actions required under the NVA procedure are coordinated, including those necessary for assessing applications received from candidates. This stage concludes with the NVA opinion allowing the employer to continue the employment procedure.

Employer’s invitation at PMLP

After a positive NVA opinion, the invitation request and the supporting employer and employment documents are prepared. The information in the invitation is aligned with the previously approved position and employment conditions. The employer receives instructions for signing and filing, and the invitation is coordinated until its approval by PMLP.

Preparation of the foreign national’s documents

A residence permit document package suited to the foreign national’s individual circumstances is prepared after the invitation is approved. The content, validity, format, translations, certifications and other applicable requirements are checked. Precise instructions are provided concerning the required documents and further actions. Where filing takes place at a Latvian embassy abroad, preparation and coordination with the foreign national are provided, without including the actual filing of documents abroad.

Review of the residence permit application

After filing, the progress of the application and the applicable deadlines are monitored. If PMLP requests additional information, the substance of the request is assessed and the necessary explanations, clarifications or supplementary documents are identified. The response is prepared and its timely filing is coordinated, with the necessary communication maintained until a decision is adopted.

Decision, residence permit card and start of employment

Following a positive decision, the residence and employment conditions granted to the foreign national are checked. The arrangement of compliant insurance, reservation of an appointment for ordering the residence permit card and taking the photograph, and the subsequent collection of the card are coordinated. The employer and foreign national receive guidance on the next steps and on beginning employment in accordance with the employer, occupation and effective rights stated in the decision.

The stated periods apply after a complete and properly prepared document package has been submitted. Additional checks, requests from PMLP or the availability of an appointment at a Latvian embassy may extend the total processing time.