Moving to Latvia is not only a change of country, but also a whole process associated with bureaucracy and the preparation of a large number of documents. In order for the application for a residence permit (UA) to go smoothly, it is important to understand in advance what documents will be needed, how to prepare them and where to get them.

In this article we will tell in detail what documents are needed for obtaining UA in Latvia, where to get them, in what form to submit and what to pay special attention to.

🧾 Basic list of documents
1. Foreign passport
The passport must be valid for at least 6 months, and preferably more than a year after the application is submitted. It is important that it contains free pages for visas and grades.
Tip: if the expiration date of the passport is coming to an end, renew it in advance. Without it, you will not be able to submit documents.

2. UA Application Form
Completed according to the form of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP). The application form indicates personal data, purpose of stay, information about the family, place of residence and sources of income.

Children, parents or legal representatives must fill it out.

3. Photograph
The requirements are simple:
* Color
* Size 35 × 45 mm
* Taken no later than 3 months ago
* Light background, face clearly visible

4. Certificate of absence of criminal record
Required for applicants over 14 years old. It is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs or a similar body in the country of citizenship. Important: the acquaintance must be recent - not older than 6 months. In addition, it must:
* Translated into Latvian
* Notarized
* Apostilled or legalized (depending on the country of issue)

5. For proof of solvency
The Latvian state wants to make sure that you can support yourself. The required amount depends on the purpose of the residence permit:

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Main applicant:

Monthly minimum €960

Annual amount €11,520

Spouse:

Monthly minimum €320

Annual amount €3,840

Child:

Monthly minimum €192

Annual amount €2,304

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You can confirm:
* Bank statement
* Bank statement
* Contract with the employer
* Sponsor's letter of guarantee
Important: documents should not be older than 3 months.

6. Confirmation of residence in Latvia
Where do you plan to live after moving?
You can add:
* Rental agreement
* A letter from the owner of the apartment, in which he agrees to provide you with housing
* Extract from the Land Register if you own real estate
You will also need:
* Cadastral number of the property
* Owner contact information

Medical documents
7. Medical insurance
A must for everyone. The policy must cover:
* the entire period of validity of the residence permit,
* medical expenses in the amount of at least 43 000-45 000 euros,
* the whole territory of the EU or at least Latvia.

Can be issued both in Latvia and abroad (if the insurance company is recognized in Latvia).

8. Medical certificate for tuberculosis
Issued in Latvia upon submission. This is a certificate confirming that you have not been diagnosed with tuberculosis (X-ray or fluorography). Usually required when applying for a residence permit for the first time.

📚 Additional documents depending on the reason
Depending on the reason for applying for a residence permit, additional documents may be required:
📌 For investors:
* Documents confirming the investment (for example, a contract for the purchase and sale of real estate worth at least 250,000 euros)
* Tax receipts
* Certificate of cadastral value (at least 80,000 euros)
📌 For family reunification:
* Marriage certificate, child birth certificate or guardianship certificate
* Affirmation of kinship (translated and certified)
📌 For students:
* Invitation or certificate of admission to an educational institution in Latvia
* Proof of tuition fees
📌 For employees:
* Employment contract
* Work permit from Latvian employer (in some cases)

📝 Apostille, legalization and translation of documents
For all documents issued outside Latvia:
* From Hague Convention countries — apostille required
* From other countries — consular legalization
In addition, all documents must be translated into Latvian and notarized. This applies to certificates, certificates, contracts, etc.

💶 Payment of state duty
When submitting documents, a state fee is paid:
* Regular review (up to 30 days) — approx. 100€
* Expedited review (up to 5 business days) — up to 450€
The fee depends on the reason and place of submission. For example, Latvian consulates abroad have their own rates.

⏳ Term of validity of the document
Document valid until
Photo 3—6 months
Certificate of absence of criminal record 6 months
Bank statement 3 months
Residence certificate 3-6 months
Medical insurance for the entire period of the residence permit
Medical certificate Up to 12 months

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Obtaining a residence permit in Latvia is a completely solvable task if you act systematically and prepare all the documents in advance. The most important tips:
* Make sure all documents are valid
* Do not forget about the apostille and translation
* Prepare financial documents and housing documents
* Collect certificates of absence of criminal record and medical insurance
If you are not confident in your abilities or want to avoid mistakes, you can always contact the specialists of Lex&Finance, this will help you save time and nerves.

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