Overview
The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) issues a one-year long-stay visa to third-country nationals who work remotely for an employer registered in an OECD member state, or who are self-employed and registered in one. The work must be doable from Latvia, and the visa gives no right to take Latvian employment.
The threshold is tied to the previous year's average gross salary published by the Central Statistical Bureau, multiplied by 2.5 — so it rises every year.
Editor's note — PMLP's English page (updated 11 February 2026) states €4,213 per month. Because the figure is recalculated from the previous year's wages, expect an upward revision once 2025 data are applied — check the PMLP page on the day you apply.
Who is eligible
- Third-country national employed by an employer registered in an OECD member state, or self-employed and registered in an OECD state.
- Employment of at least six months before applying, confirmed by the employer, with a written statement that the role can be performed remotely from Latvia.
- Monthly income of at least 2.5× Latvia's average gross salary (€4,213 per PMLP's 2026 update).
- Health insurance valid in Latvia and the Schengen area with a liability limit of at least €42,600.
- Proof of accommodation and payment of the state fee.
Income & financial requirements
2.5× the previous year's average gross wage.
With the current OECD-registered employer.
Minimum insurer liability, Latvia + Schengen.
Tax-authority confirmation of activity and income.
Employees must file a document from the OECD state's tax or social-insurance authority certifying current employment, plus an employer certificate covering the previous six months and confirming the income level. Self-employed applicants file the OECD tax authority's confirmation of their business activity and income over the same six months.
The 2.5× multiplier is applied to the Central Statistical Bureau's average gross monthly salary for the previous year.
Costs & fees
- State fee for a national long-stay visa — around €60 at standard processing; check the PMLP fee table.
- Annual health insurance meeting the €42,600 liability floor.
- Translations and legalisation of foreign employer and tax documents.
Taxes
More than 183 days in Latvia in a 12-month period makes you a Latvian tax resident; personal income tax is progressive (25.5% and 33% bands from 2025). Your foreign employer may also have registration duties if you work from Latvia for an extended period.
Short stays under the visa can remain non-resident — model the calendar before committing to a full year.
How to apply
Assemble OECD proof
Employer or tax-authority certificates, six months of income, remote-work statement, insurance and accommodation.
File the electronic form
Complete PMLP's e-application and submit the file to a Latvian mission or PMLP.
Decision
National visa decisions typically take up to 30 days.
Enter and register
Travel on the D visa; you may not take Latvian employment during the stay.
Duration & renewal
The visa is issued for one year. A further one-year visa can be requested afterwards; practitioners report that PMLP treats two years as the practical ceiling for this category. It is a visa, not a residence permit, so it does not count towards permanent residence.
Bringing family
The remote-work visa is personal: family members are not covered by this category and would need their own basis to stay in Latvia.
Pros & cons
Advantages
- Schengen base with low living costs
- Clear, published formula (2.5× average wage)
- Self-employed applicants welcome if OECD-registered
- Riga's strong digital infrastructure
Considerations
- High income floor for the Baltics
- No family provision
- No employment rights in Latvia and no PR pathway
- Threshold rises every year