WORK PERMIT IN LATVIA / LATVIA WORK VISA

Latvia Info — Wed May 16, 2007 3:41 am

Author: Latvia Info

Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 3:41 am

WORK PERMIT IN LATVIA

Nationalities of EU and UK

Latvia is a member state of the European Union (EU) and does not apply any restrictions on the access to its labour market by citizens of other EEA countries.

Visitors holding a British passport can remain in Latvia for up to 90 days without a residence permit. British nationals intending to live and work in Latvia will need to obtain a residence permit from the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of Latvia.

For a visa or resident permit extension, contact the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. Visitors without these residence and work permits may not work in Latvia.

Other Nationalities

If you are from a non-EU country, please check with your embassy about regulations for working in Latvia.

In short;

* The permit is required for a foreign resident who wishes to work in Latvia.

* An employment contract with a business registered in Latvia must be presented.

* A work permit must be presented before starting an employment contract.

* A "residential permit" or special visa must be attached to the employment contract.

* In the following cases, a work permit is unnecessary:
- Managers, who are not authorised signatories, of a company that represents a foreign firm.
- Shareholders, who are not authorised signatories, of companies registered in Latvia.
- Owners of permanent residential permits.

VISA TO LATVIA / LATVIA VISA GUIDE

Latvia Info — Mon May 14, 2007 6:10 am

Author: Latvia Info

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 6:10 am

VISA TO LATVIA

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except:

EU/EEA nationals (EU + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Swiss nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Note: EU and EEA nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU/EEA nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU/EEA Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.

Visas

Required by all except the following for a stay of up to 90 days within any six-month period:

(a) nationals of countries mentioned in the table and under passport exemptions above, Australia, Canada, Japan and USA;

(b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Israel, Korea (Rep), Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela;

(c) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft, provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport, except citizens of: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka who must obtain an airport transit visa issued prior to arrival.

Note: Nationals of countries who require an airport transit visa can cross the transit zone without one provided that they:

(a) hold a valid residence permit, entry visa or transit visa for Latvia;

(b) hold a valid entry visa or residence permit issued by a member of the EU or Schengen Agreement;

(c) hold a valid residence permit issued by Andorra, Canada, Japan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland, USA and the Vatican City, guaranteeing the right to return;

(d) the national is a crew member of an airplane or citizen of a country which is a member of the December 7th 1944 International Civil Aviation Convention.

Types of visa and cost

Short-term: US$40 (single- and double-entry); US$69 (multiple-entry). Visas for children under 16 are free of charge.

Note: There is no separate category for a ‘Business’ visa. If travelling to Latvia for business purposes, please consult the requirements and cost of a tourist visa.

Validity

Short-term: from one day to 12 months. Transit: Three days (foreign sailors may be issued with a transit visa entitling them to remain in the country for five days).

Application to

Consulate or Consular section at Embassy.

Application requirements

(a) Passport valid for at least three months beyond expiry of visa, with at least two blank pages.
(b) One completed application form.
(c) One passport-size photo.
(d) Valid travel health insurance policy guaranteeing coverage of costs associated with health care (except for nationals of Estonia, Finland, Sweden and Ukraine).
(e) Fee, cash only.

Short-term:
(a)-(e) and,
(f) An invitation to visit Latvia, approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs at the Ministry of Interior in Riga.

Transit and Airport Transit:
(a)-(e) and,
(f) Valid visa for the country to be entered after Latvia, if required.

Notes:
(a) Additional documents, such as return or onward tickets, confirmed hotel reservation and proof of sufficient funds, may also be requested.
(b) All invitations must be registered by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, Alunãna Str. 1, Riga LV-1050 (tel: 721 9656; website: www.pmlp.gov.lv).

Processing time

Usually seven working days, however in some cases processing may take longer.

Expatriates Forums in Latvia

WORK PERMIT IN LATVIA / LATVIA WORK VISA

VISA TO LATVIA / LATVIA VISA GUIDE