Regulations on visas and residence permits for international students in Latvia vary depending on country of citizenship. Here are the basic guidelines for citizens of non-EU/EEA countries and citizens of EU/EEA.

EU/EEA stands for the European Union and the European Economic Area. If you are not sure if your country belongs to the EU/EEA, consult https://www.gov.uk/eu-eea

 

Citizens of non-EU/EEA

Stays of less than 3 months

If you are intending to stay in Latvia for less than three months, you will need a visa if the country that issues your passport is not on this list. If your country of citizenship is on the list, you generally can enter Latvia without a visa. You should also confirm possible visa requirements with the Latvian consulate or embassy responsible for your home country.

Stays of more than 3 months
If your studies in Latvia will last longer than three months, you will need a residence permit before coming to Latvia. 

To be eligible to apply for a residence permit for studies in RISEBA, you must have been admitted to the full-time study programme. This includes paying the first year tuition fee for studies.

To apply for a residence permit for studies, you will need to:

1. Submit the online application 
2. Pay the application fee, currently EUR 200
3. Pay your first-year tuition fee instalment
4. Prepare your supporting documentation. This includes copies of your passport, letter of admission as well as proving that you can support yourself financially during your time as a student in Latvia. See requested document checklist.

Important! The waiting time for a residence permit for studies might take up to two months, so be sure to submit your application as soon as possible after receiving your notification of admission.

Visit the Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affair's website for full details on applying for a residence permit for studies. Contact the Migration Board directly with questions regarding your residence permit application.

Citizens of EU/EEA and Switzerland

Citizens of EU/EEA have the right to reside in Latvia without a residence permit or visa, while they have to apply for a registration card in the Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

 

 

Residence permit is issued due to studies at RISEBA University of Applied Sciences for the period of the studies. International students must register (prolong) their residence permit annually and check the period of validity of your residence permit card. 90 days prior the expiry of the residence permit card international students should:

1. Request the invitation number.

Student must receive an official invitation from the University. The invitation is filed in the Office of Citizenship and Migration (OCMA) by the University representative (5-10 working days*).

 

In order to receive the invitation number for prolonging residence permit please send the following information to [email protected] :

1. Name and surname (spelled as in passport)
2. Date of birth
3. City, where you were born
4. Address in your country
5. Address in Latvia
6. Name of the programme and study year
7. Residence permit card expiry date
8. Indicate whether you need a MOBILITY stamp on your card - students who are planning to go on Erasmus exchange  need a MOBILITY mark on the residence permit card (if yes, please attach a copy of your Erasmus learning agreement)

 

2. Book an appointment at Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) in order to submit the residence permit documents. You may do it via phone call.

Here is the link with information about four OCMA departments in Riga http://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/home/contacts/pmlp-divisions/regional-divisions/riga-division/rigas-1-division.html

 

3. Make sure to have all necessary documents for prolonging residence permit:

• Passport copy (you must also show the original document in OCMA)
• Learning agreement with RISEBA
• Bank statement (5160 EUR)
• Accommodation confirmation
• Insurance valid for 1 year
• Invitation number.
• State fee payment confirmation for review of documents and new residence permit card (state fee may be paid in OCMA. Please note that in OCMA you may only pay with the card. They don’t accept cash).

 

State fee for review of documents submitted for registration of the temporary residence permit	State Fee
within 30 days	45.00 EUR
within 10 working days	90.00 EUR
within 5 working days	180.00 EUR

 

State fee for a new residence permit card	State Fee
within 10 working days	14.23 EUR
within 2 working days	EUR

 

IMPORTANT! In case documents will not be submitted in accordance with the indicated deadlines student will receive a penalty notice and will be forced to leave the country (or deported)!

 

The description of the procedure and terms of making the invitation number:

Verification of the received information, requesting a copy of the learning agreement from the programme administrator.	1 – 3* working days
Preparation of the invitation number application and submitting it in Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA).	1–4* working days
Verification and confirmation of the invitation number by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA).	3 working days **, excluding the document submission day
In total:	5 – 10* working days
* - in case there are unexpected obstacles (incorrect information provided, missing documents, unpaid fines, etc. the indicated terms may be extended. ** - Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) may change the verification and confirmation terms if necessary.