---
title: "Latvia Student permit requirements 2026: 2-year stay"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/study/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-11
---

Latvia · Student

# Latvia Student permit

**First stay:** 2 yrs

Temporary residence permit for study

First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Savings needed:** €780 a month ≈ $870 (Savings of at least EUR 780 a month (≈ $870) · Financial means equal to the minimum monthly wage where no special category applies (Cabinet Regulation 225); EUR 234 per month for a minor child. A fee of EUR 160 (≈ $180) · State fee for review of documents for a temporary residence permit within 30 days; EUR 280 within 10 working days and EUR 560 within 5 working days.)
- **First stay:** 2 yrs (Up to two years, renewable.)
- **Who can apply:** Most passports (Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit.)
- **Work:** Yes (Up to 20 hours a week, or 40 in holidays, with any employer; no hour limit for full-time master's and doctoral students without a study break (Immigration Law Sections 44-45).)

## Key facts

Student permit is a student route for Latvia. You can work locally. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.

- **Government fees:** €160 ≈ $180
- **Processing:** Up to 30 days
- **First stay:** 2 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: government fee €160 ≈ $180; decision: up to 30 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: €160 ≈ $180**

- EUR 160 (≈ $180) State fee for review of documents for a temporary residence permit within 30 days; EUR 280 (≈ $310) within 10 working days and EUR 560 (≈ $630) within 5 working days.

**Shown, not spent: €780+/mo ≈ $870**

- EUR 780 a month (≈ $870) Financial means equal to the minimum monthly wage where no special category applies (Cabinet Regulation 225); EUR 234 (≈ $260) per month for a minor child.

**Renewal: Renewable**

Issued for up to two years and renewable.

[Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs](https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/article/are-you-planning-obtain-residence-permit-study-find-out-how-do-it)

**Permanent residence: After 5 years of residence**

Half of study time counts toward the 5 years for EU long-term resident status.

[Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs](https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/long-term-resident-status-european-community-latvia)

**Citizenship: After 5 years as a permanent resident**

Naturalisation needs 5 years of residence on a permanent residence permit, knowledge of Latvian and the Constitution, and a legal source of income.

[Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), Latvia](https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/naturalisation)

**Processing: Up to 30 days**

The authority answers on a temporary residence permit within 30 days of receiving all documents.

[Saeima of the Republic of Latvia](https://likumi.lv/ta/id/370622-imigracijas-likums)

**Presence rules: Absence limits**

For long-term status, absences must not exceed six successive months or ten months in total over the five years.

[Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs](https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/long-term-resident-status-european-community-latvia)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Needs a place at a school or university in Latvia
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports

### What you'll need

#### What you must show

- Financial means equal the minimum monthly wage of EUR 780 (≈ $870) where no special category applies.
- An additional EUR 234 (≈ $260) per month applies for a minor child.

#### Documents

- A study contract with an accredited institution is submitted.

#### Steps

1. The institution's invitation is approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

## What happens at day 183

How Latvia decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **Up to 2 years at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** - **At least 183 days in any 12-month period starting or ending in the tax year** A person staying in Latvia 183 days or more is a tax resident; a declared place of residence in Latvia also makes the person resident.
- **Foreign-source income:** Residents are taxed on worldwide income: 25.5% on annual income below EUR105,300 (≈ $118,000) and 33% above, plus an additional 3% on annual income over EUR200,000 (≈ $223,000); non-taxable minimum EUR550 (≈ $610) a month in 2026.

[All tax rules for Latvia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/tax/) Tax records checked 11 Oct 2026

**Full official text**

Temporary residence permit for full-time study at an accredited university or college; the invitation is approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs and a study contract is required. Family members may accompany only students who are citizens of NATO member states or who study in a doctoral programme. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

#### What you must show and pay

- Savings of at least EUR 780 a month (≈ $870) · Financial means equal to the minimum monthly wage where no special category applies (Cabinet Regulation 225); EUR 234 (≈ $260) per month for a minor child. (source 1)
- A fee of EUR 160 (≈ $180) · State fee for review of documents for a temporary residence permit within 30 days; EUR 280 (≈ $310) within 10 working days and EUR 560 (≈ $630) within 5 working days. (source 6)

#### Requirements

- Financial means equal the minimum monthly wage of EUR 780 (≈ $870) where no special category applies. (source 1)
- An additional EUR 234 (≈ $260) per month applies for a minor child. (source 1)
- A study contract with an accredited institution is submitted. (source 2)
- The institution's invitation is approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. (source 2)

#### Stay

- Up to two years, renewable.
- First stay: up to 24 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

#### Nationality

Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

#### Work

Up to 20 hours a week, or 40 in holidays, with any employer; no hour limit for full-time master's and doctoral students without a study break (Immigration Law Sections 44-45).

#### Family

Spouse and minor children may join only students who are citizens of NATO member states or who are in a doctoral programme.

Checked 2026-10-11

## Official sources

1. [The necessary subsistence (from 1 April 2026)](https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/necessary-subsistence-0) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA/PMLP) · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-03-16
2. [Residence permit to study: documents (2021)](https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/article/are-you-planning-obtain-residence-permit-study-find-out-how-do-it) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA/PMLP) · checked 2026-10-10
3. [New Immigration Law takes effect (15 September 2026)](https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/article/new-immigration-law-takes-effect-key-changes-and-regulations) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA/PMLP) · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-09-15
4. [Immigration Law (adopted 20 August 2026, in force 15 September 2026)](https://likumi.lv/ta/id/370622-imigracijas-likums) · Saeima of the Republic of Latvia (likumi.lv) · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-09-01
5. [Initial residence permit, studies: documents to be submitted](https://vissparmigraciju.pmlp.gov.lv/?page_id=2427&lang=en) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2025-12-29
6. [State fee for issuing the residence permit](https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/state-fee-issuing-residence-permit) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of Latvia (OCMA) · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-03-18
7. [The long-term resident status of the European Community in Latvia](https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/long-term-resident-status-european-community-latvia) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2020-10-06
8. [Naturalisation (Latvian citizenship)](https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/naturalisation) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), Latvia · checked 2026-10-11

## Student permit and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Student permit | – | 2 yr, renewable | Yes |
| [Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/student-higher-ed-91/) Portugal | Needs income of €920+ a month ≈ $1,030 | 3 yr, renewable | Yes |
| [Internship permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/internship-residence/) Spain | – | 1 yr, renewable | – |
| [D3 study visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/d3-study-research/) Georgia | – | 1 yr, renewable | No |
| [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/study-visa/) Italy | Needs savings of €10k+ a year ≈ $11k | – | Yes |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Student permit?

Savings of at least EUR 780 a month (≈ $870). Financial means equal to the minimum monthly wage where no special category applies (Cabinet Regulation 225); EUR 234 (≈ $260) per month for a minor child. A fee of EUR 160 (≈ $180). State fee for review of documents for a temporary residence permit within 30 days; EUR 280 (≈ $310) within 10 working days and EUR 560 (≈ $630) within 5 working days.

### How long can I stay on the Student permit?

Up to two years, renewable.

### How long does the Student permit take to process?

The authority answers on a temporary residence permit within 30 days of receiving all documents.

### Can I work on the Student permit?

Yes. Up to 20 hours a week, or 40 in holidays, with any employer; no hour limit for full-time master's and doctoral students without a study break (Immigration Law Sections 44-45).

### Can I bring my family on the Student permit?

Spouse and minor children may join only students who are citizens of NATO member states or who are in a doctoral programme.

### Who can apply for the Student permit?

Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

### Does the Student permit lead to permanent residence in Latvia?

Time on the Student permit counts toward permanent residence in Latvia, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Student permit counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 5 years as a permanent resident.

### How are Student permit holders taxed in Latvia?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Student permit. The standard rules apply: Residents are taxed on worldwide income: 25.5% on annual income below EUR105,300 (≈ $118,000) and 33% above, plus an additional 3% on annual income over EUR200,000 (≈ $223,000); non-taxable minimum EUR550 (≈ $610) a month in 2026.

## More in Latvia

[Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/digital-nomad-visa/) [Company board member permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/company-officer/) [Startup founder permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/startup-founder/) [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/eu-blue-card/) [Seasonal work visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/seasonal-work-visa/) [Work visa (D)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/work-visa-d/) [Work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/employment/) [Researcher permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/researcher/)

## Study visas elsewhere

[🇩🇪 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/student-16b/) [🇫🇷 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/student-residence/) [🇬🇧 Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/student-visa/) [🇳🇱 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/student-residence/) [🇦🇱 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/albania/student/) [🇲🇪 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/montenegro/student/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-11 against 8 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [The necessary subsistence (from 1 April 2026)](https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/necessary-subsistence-0) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA/PMLP) · checked 2026-10-11
2. [Residence permit to study: documents (2021)](https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/article/are-you-planning-obtain-residence-permit-study-find-out-how-do-it) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA/PMLP) · checked 2026-10-10
3. [New Immigration Law takes effect (15 September 2026)](https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/article/new-immigration-law-takes-effect-key-changes-and-regulations) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA/PMLP) · checked 2026-10-11
4. [Immigration Law (adopted 20 August 2026, in force 15 September 2026)](https://likumi.lv/ta/id/370622-imigracijas-likums) · Saeima of the Republic of Latvia (likumi.lv) · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Initial residence permit, studies: documents to be submitted](https://vissparmigraciju.pmlp.gov.lv/?page_id=2427&lang=en) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
6. [State fee for issuing the residence permit](https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/state-fee-issuing-residence-permit) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of Latvia (OCMA) · checked 2026-10-11
7. [The long-term resident status of the European Community in Latvia](https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/long-term-resident-status-european-community-latvia) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) · checked 2026-10-10
8. [Naturalisation (Latvian citizenship)](https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/naturalisation) · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), Latvia · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.