A residence permit is a document providing a foreigner the rights to reside in the Republic of Latvia for a definite period of time (a temporary residence permit) or permanently (a permanent residence permit). A residence permit is necessary if you are willing to reside in the Republic of Latvia for a period of time exceeding 90 days within 180 days counting from the first day of entrance.
A residence permit is issued by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs in Latvia (OCMA)
Citizens and residents (who have their residence permit issued by the official authorities) of following countries are eligible to apply for a residence permit and long stay visa at the Embassy of Latvia in India:
Republic of India; People's Republic of Bangladesh; Republic of Maldives; Republic of the Union of Myanmar; Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal; Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A RESIDENCE PERMIT
Step 1 – Fill out/print/sign up the Application form for requiring a residence permit
Download and fill out the Application for requiring a residence permit. Upon completion of the application form, print the form and sign it. Application form must be filled out in BLOCK letters.
NOTE: if the submitted application form is incomplete or contains false information, your application may be denied.
Step 2 – Collect all required documentation
Carefully check that you have collected all required documentation. For the list of documents please refer to the homepage of the OCMA.
NOTE: the consular officer may request additional documents upon submission depending on each individual case.
Step 3 – Legalize documents
The documents being issued abroad must be legalized. When submitting copies of documents that are not certified by a notary, originals of such documents must be presented.
Document legalization requires several steps:
- Translation into English or Latvian
- Legalization at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Step 4 - Submit the application and the fee at the Embassy in person
Appointment for a residence permit must been booked only through the online appointment system: https://pieraksts.mfa.gov.lv/en/india
For booking an appointment please provide correct information: name, surname, private e-mail address and mobile phone number.
Kindly be informed that in case the information will be incorrect your booking will be deleted.
Please find the pricelist for the residence permit processing on the webpage of the OCMA.
State and Consular fees for the residence permit application submission at the Embassy is payable by international credit/debit card only. Please note that American Express cards are not accepted at the Embassy.
The fee is non-refundable. Embassy is not responsible for costs that can be incurred if a residence permit is refused.
NOTE: Residence permit application processing time starts at the moment the application is received at the OCMA in Latvia; not from the moment the documents have been submitted at the Embassy.
Step 5 – Decision on granting the Residence permit
The decision on granting the residence permit is being taken by the OCMA within the chosen time frame. The decision is being sent to the applicant's email address and your inviting party.
Step 6 – Apply for a Long Stay visa for travel to Latvia
If the decision is positive one has to apply for the Long Stay visa with the validity of 90 days in order to travel to Latvia and obtain the residence permit card.
NOTE: Embassy is not providing any translation services!
Step 7 – Obtain the residence permit
After arrival to the Republic of Latvia make an appointment and obtain the residence permit card at the OCMA or a regional division. For additional information please refer to the homepage of OCMA.
OCMA contact details:
OCMA RESIDENCE PERMIT DIVISION
Telephone: 00 371 67219644 Fax: 00 371 67219654
Address: Čiekurkalna 1. līnija 1, k-3, LV-1026