Residence Permit and Visa

Citizens of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA)
need only valid travel documents, i.e. passports or identity cards to come to Latvia.

If the duration of stay is longer than 90 days (3 months), students must apply for a residence permit. It can be obtained at the Department of Citizenship and Migration after arriving in Latvia. Necessary documents are the passport, 2 photos, valid health and life insurance policy and confirmation from Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences.

Non-EU nationals have to check if they need a visa to enter Latvia. The list of countries whose citizens do not need visas is available here.

If students from outside EU come for a longer period than 90 days, they must apply for a residence permit in a Latvian Embassy abroad. Please note that it may take up to several weeks to obtain a visa or a residence permit. Therefore application procedures should be started as early as possible.

Updated information in English on requirements regarding immigration documents can be found at http://www.ocma.gov.lv/

Important addresses:

Department of Citizenship and Migration in Valmiera
Meža street 7, Valmiera, LV-4201
Tel.+371 4225870
Opening hours:
Monday, Thursday 10.00 - 18.00
Tuesday, Wednesday 9.00 - 17.00
Friday 8.00 - 15.00

Office for Citizenship and Migration Affairs, Foreigners Service Centre
Alunāna street 1, Rīga LV- 1010
Tel.+371 7219 656
Opening hours: Monday, Thursday 10.00-18.30,
Tuesday, Friday 9.00 - 16.30,
Wednesday 10.00 - 16.30