Articles on: Europe

Latvia — Digital Nomad Visa: everything you need to live and work remotely in Latvia

Knowledge Base – QUESTRAVEL

By Víctor Pizarro, Co-founder of QUESTRAVEL

Why Latvia (the essentials)

With Riga as a lively tech/culture hub, Latvia launched a Digital Nomad pathway in 2022 so non-EU/EEA nationals can live in Latvia while working remotely for foreign companies. (Sorainen)

What it is

Latvia’s scheme is a long-stay (D) visa for remote work. It lets you reside in Latvia for 1 year, with the option to renew once for another year (total up to 2 years). You must be employed by or self-employed in an OECD country and perform your duties remotely from Latvia. (pmlp.gov.lv)

Who runs it & where to apply

  • Primary authority: Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP/OCMA). Guidance page: Obtaining a long-stay visa for remote work. (pmlp.gov.lv)
  • Apply first at a Latvian embassy/consulate serving your residence. (Find posts via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.) (www2.mfa.gov.lv)
  • In Latvia: extensions and local formalities are handled with PMLP. (pmlp.gov.lv)

The route was created by amendments to Latvia’s Immigration Law effective 29 June 2022; official summaries and practitioner notes confirm the digital nomad option for third-country nationals tied to OECD-registered employers or self-employment. (Sorainen)

Duration & renewals

  • Initial grant: 1 year.
  • Renewal: +1 year (max 2 years total), subject to continued eligibility. (bdo.lv)

Requirements (what authorities actually look for)

  • Nationality: non-EU/EEA/Swiss. (Digital nomad visa targets “third-country” nationals.) (Fragomen)
  • Employer / self-employment in an OECD country: either employed by an OECD-registered company or registered as self-employed in an OECD country (and able to work remotely). (pmlp.gov.lv)
  • Sufficient income: guidance widely cites ≥ 2.5× Latvia’s average/median monthly income (updates annually). Expect proof via recent payslips and bank statements; many advisors reference figures around €2,800–€3,200+ / month depending on the reference year. (Check your embassy’s checklist for the current number.) (labsoflatvia.com)
  • Health insurance: Schengen-compliant medical insurance covering the whole stay. Some missions publish a minimum coverage (e.g., €42,600 in a recent VFS checklist). (VFS Global)
  • Clean police record, valid passport, proof of accommodation and other standard D-visa documents (as listed by your mission/PMLP). (pmlp.gov.lv)

Step-by-step (practical flow)

  1. Confirm OECD link (employer registered in an OECD country or self-employment registered in an OECD country). Gather contract(s) and remote-work letter. (pmlp.gov.lv)
  2. Document income (last 3–6 months payslips + bank statements) meeting the 2.5× wage guidance used by authorities/advisers. (labsoflatvia.com)
  3. Buy insurance covering the entire stay (mission’s minimum coverage if specified). (VFS Global)
  4. Apply at your Latvian embassy/consulate (submit biometrics and pay the fee—often €60–€120, mission-dependent). (www2.mfa.gov.lv)
  5. Processing typically 4–6 weeks; collect the visa and register your address with PMLP after arrival, then handle any renewal in Latvia if you’ll extend to year two. (pmlp.gov.lv)

Key advantages

  • Schengen mobility for short stays across 27 countries while your Latvia D visa is valid.
  • Lower living costs than many Nordics; growing coworking and remote community in Riga.
  • Clear OECD criterion that simplifies employer eligibility. (Sorainen)
  • PMLP/OCMA — Remote Work (D visa) page: Obtaining a long-stay visa for remote work. (pmlp.gov.lv)
  • Latvian MFA — posts & visa submissions: embassy/consulate info and local instructions. (www2.mfa.gov.lv)
  • Immigration Law (English consolidation): overview of the law with amendments through 2023. (vvc.gov.lv)


QUESTRAVEL’s take

The two make-or-break checks are:

  1. OECD link (employer or self-employment registration), and
  2. Income level that meets the 2.5× wage benchmark as interpreted by your mission.

We prep your remote-work letter, align your income proof to the embassy’s preferred format, and sanity-check insurance wording and coverage so your file is consistent end-to-end.

💡 Want a mission-ready package? Book a 1:1 with QUESTRAVEL at fromquestravel.com—we’ll tailor your checklist, refine your letters, and map the renewal if you plan to stay for year two.

Updated on: 03/11/2025