Latvia Student Visa – Eligibility and Requirements

Are you looking for a Latvia student visa? If yes then please keep reading. If you are from EU countries or Switzerland, you do not need a study permit for Latvia. But if you are from another country, you will need a student visa.

Latvia offers good education at a reasonable price. In this article, we will learn more about the Latvia student visa, eligibility criteria, application process, visa fee, documents required, and more. So, let’s get started.

Key Takeaways

• Latvia Student Visa is required for non-EU students.
• EU students can register to stay in Latvia after arrival.
• Study in Latvia without IELTS with English proficiency or alternative tests.
• Documents needed for visa: form, passport, photos, financial proof, study agreement.
• The Visa application process includes form submission, an interview, processing time of around eight weeks.
• Visa fees can vary. It is approximately $62 plus charges
• The processing time is usually eight weeks.
• Residence permit application requires similar documents to visa, should be submitted to OCMA.
• Once you arrive in Latvia, register at OCMA if staying over 90 days, provide ID, and accommodation proof, and pay a fee.
• Part-time work allowed, 20 hours per week, full-time during holidays, 40 hours per week.
• Travel insurance before arrival, health insurance for medical needs.
• Reasons for visa rejection include Insufficient funds, perceived risk, incomplete or false documents, poor academic history.

What Should You Know About Latvia?

Latvia is an amazing place known for its singing traditions. The government there really cares about education and has made some significant changes to schools. That is why lots of people from other countries go there to study. Engineering is a popular subject. Also, it is not too expensive to study in Latvia.

Category	Information
Country	Latvia
Capital	Riga
Currency	Euro (EUR)
Accommodation	€70 – €130
Food	€200
Leisure/Other	€80
Average Monthly Cost	€400
Summer Temperature	Average 20°C (up to 30°C)
Winter Temperature	Average 0°C – 5°C (down to -20°C)
Telephone Country Code	+371
Electricity	220 volts AC, 50 Hz, European two-pin
Speed Limit (Urban)	50 km/h
Speed Limit (Rural)	90 km/h
Public Transport	Available

Do You Need a Visa to Study in Latvia?

If you are not from a European country, you will need a visa to study in Latvia. It is applicable if your country requires a visa to enter Latvia or if your study program lasts longer than 90 days. Please remember, you can only stay for 90 days without a visa. 

But if you are from a European country, like the EU or Switzerland, you can study in Latvia without a visa. Just make sure to register your stay with the Office of Migration and Foreign Affairs.

How To Study in Latvia Without IELTS?

Many countries all over the world like the UK, France, Philippines, and the Netherlands have minimum IELTS band requirements. But, if you want to study in Latvia, you can do so without taking the IELTS test. But, you can apply for a study visa under certain conditions:

• If you are from an English-speaking country or have studied in English before, you may not need to take the IELTS test.
• If your previous education was in English, you will need to provide proof like a certificate or declaration.
• If you do not have an internationally recognized English test score, you might have to take English courses at a university in Latvia.
• Some universities might ask you to take online tests or interviews on Skype to check your English skills in speaking, reading, and understanding.

If you do not have an IELTS score, you can still prove your English skills with other tests like:

• TOEFL
• FCE (First Certificate in English)
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English)
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• Cambridge English: Business Vantage (BEC Vantage)
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE)
• Cambridge English Linguaskill

If you do not have an IELTS score, you can still apply to these universities without any worries. They accept students even without the IELTS test.

• Daugavpils University
• University of Latvia
• Riga Technical University
• University of Liepaja
• Ventspils University College

Documents Required for a Latvia Student Visa

Here is what you will need to apply for a Latvia study visa:

• Fill out a form called the Long Stay Visa Application Form for Latvia.
• Bring a passport-size photo, which should be 35mm x 45mm, when you submit your visa application.
• Make sure your passport is valid.
• Bring copies of any previous visas you have had.
• You will need an invitation approved by the OCMA.
• Have a Study Agreement ready.
• Get a written certificate from your college or university.
• Show proof that you have enough money to support yourself.
• Provide evidence of where you will be staying.
• If someone is sponsoring you, show proof of that too.
• Bring documents that prove your previous education.
• Have proof of your ticket reservation.
• Get travel medical insurance that covers at least 42,600 EUR.
• Pay a visa fee of 60 EUR. If you are a Master’s or PhD student, you do not need to pay this fee.

How To Apply for a Latvia Student Visa?

When you want to apply for a Latvian student visa, you have to follow these steps:

1. Fill out the application form online. You can do this on the Latvian “Electronic Visa Application” website. If that’s not an option for your country, you can get the form at the embassy.
2. Next, you should set up a meeting with the Latvian embassy. Find out which embassy or consulate you need to go to on their website, then schedule your appointment online or by contacting them directly.
3. Gather all the documents you need. This includes things like your acceptance letter from a university.
4. Then, hand in your application. Take it to the embassy or consulate in your country.
5. You will probably have to talk to the counselor at the embassy. They might ask you questions to understand why you want to study in Latvia and if you plan to come back after your studies.
6. Now, you must wait. It might take a few weeks for the embassy to process your application and let you know if you can get the Latvia student visa.

Latvia Student Visa Interview Questions

When you apply for a Latvia Student Visa, you will have to go to the Latvian embassy for an interview. They might ask you some questions like:

• Why did you choose Latvia instead of other countries?
• Why did you pick your desired university and course in Latvia?
• How will the desired course help your career?
• What are your goals in the short and long term?
• What are your plans for going back to your home country?

What Is a Latvia Student Visa Fee?

Here is how much it costs for a Latvia Student Visa: 

Service	Charges
VIS Cases	$30
Non-VIS Cases	$28
Video Conferencing Fee	$37
Visa Fee	$62
Courier Fee	$6.5

Latvia Student Visa Processing Time

If you want to get your Latvia student visa it takes about eight weeks on average. But sometimes it might take longer. This happens because there are lots of other students applying. 

It can also happen because something is missing from your application. Also, if the embassy needs more documents from you, it could take even more time.

How To Apply for a Residence Permit in Latvia?

Here is what you need to know about getting a residence permit in Latvia:

1. The documents you need for the residence permit are pretty much the same as for the student visa.
2. The invitation letter for the residence permit is filled out by the Latvian university you applied to.
3. You submit this letter to the Office of Citizenship and Migration (OCMA) in Latvia, and they will review it.
4. The consulate fees are 80 euros, and there are also legislation fees of 15 euros.
5. Only if the OCMA approves your residence permit, you will get a type D Student Visa.
6. The whole process can take more than 40 days. So it is important to apply for both the student visa and residence permit on time.

What To Do Once You Arrive in Latvia?

Once you are in Latvia, you will need to get your temporary residence permit. Your first student visa is only for settling in Latvia, and this will usually be about six months. To get your permit, you have to register where you are living at the OMCA office nearby. For that, you will need:

• Your ID.
• Proof of where you are staying such as a rental agreement.
• About €4.27 for the state fee.

Please note, this registration rule applies if you are staying more than 90 days in Latvia.

Latvia Student Visa Validity

When you get a student visa for Latvia, it is usually for the length of your study program. This can be from six months to a year. But if your studies go on longer, you can ask for more time by extending your visa.

Can You Stay in Latvia After Graduation?

After you finish your master’s degree in Latvia, you can stay for another six months. This will let you do things like internships, gain experience, or even look for a job. It is a great chance to explore Latvia a bit more and build your successful career.

How To Stay in Latvia After You Graduate?

Once you finish your studies in Latvia, you can apply for a special permit that lets you stay there a bit longer. 

To do this, you will need to show them a copy of your diploma or certificate from your school. 

This permit usually lasts for about a year. During that time, you will need to find a job so you can keep living in Latvia.

Can You Work With a Latvia Student Visa?

You can work in Latvia with a student visa. But there are some rules you should know about:

• If you are doing a bachelor’s degree, you can work part-time for up to 20 hours a week.
• During holidays, you can work full-time, but only for 40 hours a week.

The government in Latvia wants you to focus on your studies, so they have some rules about how much you can work. Please keep this in mind while you are studying in Latvia.

Health Insurance for Students in Latvia

Before you apply for a student visa to Latvia, it is important to get student travel insurance. This insurance covers emergencies during your trip. 

But remember, once you are in Latvia, you will need proper health insurance for everyday medical needs. Please note that travel insurance and health insurance are different.

Why Is Latvia Student Visa Rejected?

Here are some reasons why your Latvia student visa might not get approved:

1. If you do not have enough money to cover your expenses while studying in Latvia, your visa could be denied.
2. If you are from a country that the embassy sees as risky, they might think you won’t go back home after studying.
3. If you do not provide all the documents the embassy needs, or if they want more details about you, your visa could be denied.
4. If you did not do well in your previous studies, the embassy might worry that you would not take your studies seriously in Latvia.
5. If the embassy finds out that you gave them false documents or lied on your application, they could deny your student visa.

Latvia Student Visa Summary

Requirement	Description
Eligibility	Non-EU citizens for programs longer than 90 days
Documents	Application form, passport photo, valid passport, invitation letter, study agreement, proof of finances, accommodation proof, sponsorship proof (if applicable), education documents, flight reservation, travel medical insurance
Application Process	Online application, embassy appointment, submission of documents, interview
Fees	€60 (except Masters/PhD students)
Processing Time	8 weeks (average)
Validity	Length of study program (up to 1 year)

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

If you are from EU countries or Switzerland, you do not need a visa to study in Latvia. But if you are from another country, like most international students, you will need a student visa. 

Latvia is known for its affordable education and high-quality teaching. So, if you are thinking about studying in Latvia, then you must get your Latvia student visa.

To study in Latvia, you need a Latvia Long Term D Visa. It lasts for 90 days. According to Latvia’s Immigration Law, students from countries outside the EU can apply for this visa at the Embassy of Latvia. 

Once you are in Latvia, you have to apply for a residence permit at the OCMA. This student visa is valid for the entire duration of your studies in Latvia.