We have previously covered the topic of obtaining a residence permit for employment in Latvia. Therefore, this article will only address the updates that were introduced during 2024.

Before submitting an invitation to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (hereinafter – the Office), the employer must publish the vacancy on the official website of the State Employment Agency (hereinafter – the Agency).
The vacancy must remain active for at least 10 business days. It is recommended to submit the invitation while the vacancy is still visible on the Agency’s website so that the Office staff can verify it during their review.

Additionally, on December 10, 2024, amendments were adopted to Cabinet Regulation No. 55 “Regulations on the Employment of Foreigners”. These amendments came into force on January 1, 2025. From now on, when publishing a vacancy on the Agency’s website, the employer is required to:

• justify the number of positions offered,
• consider the candidate proposed by the Agency, and
• provide reasoning if the proposed candidate is rejected.

These amendments also grant the Agency the right to issue an opinion denying the recruitment of a foreign national. As a result, the process may become more complicated and time-consuming, as the Agency will now play a role in determining whether a particular foreign worker is needed by the employer.

II  Salary Requirements

Previously, for third-country nationals (non-EU, non-Schengen, and non-EEA), the minimum salary was determined once a year on April 1. It was calculated based on the average gross salary from the previous year, published by the Central Statistical Bureau.

For those applying under the EU Blue Card scheme, there are two options for determining the minimum salary:

• A coefficient of 1.5 is applied to the average gross salary of the previous year (currently €2,306).
• A coefficient of 1.2 is applied if the position is listed among the professions with a projected significant labor shortage, as designated by the Cabinet of Ministers (currently €1,844). The list of such professions is available online..

For third-country nationals applying for a residence permit (not under the Blue Card), the minimum salary now depends on the specific industry (e.g., construction, IT, finance).
If the average salary in the industry exceeds the national average, then the minimum salary must correspond to the national average (currently €1,537). A full list of industries and their respective minimum wages is available on the Office’s website.

III Invitation

Submitting an invitation is the first step in the process of obtaining a residence permit for employment. The employer submits the invitation electronically (with a digital signature). The invitation must include a set of documents, the main ones being: a copy of the employee’s passport, the employment contract, and documents proving relevant work experience and/or education in the field of employment.

When submitting an invitation for workers in the construction sector, the Office requires the addresses of the work sites and contracts with clients.

If the employer is a licensed labor supply service provider (darbaspēka nodrošināšanas pakalpojuma sniedzējs), and the employees will be assigned to work for another company (e.g., labor leasing), the employer must submit a copy of the service agreement with the client and written consent from the client confirming that the foreign workers will be performing work at a specific site.

During the review process, the Office may carry out inspections, visit work sites, interview responsible staff, and request additional documentation.

For applicants under the EU Blue Card, it is mandatory to provide proof of at least 3 years of professional experience in the field. If such experience is not available, a higher education diploma in the relevant field (minimum of 5 years of study) must be provided.

If the position is not regulated, the employer may instead submit a statement confirming that the candidate has passed an interview and meets the qualification requirements. This is considered one of the notable relaxations introduced in 2024 for submitting invitations.

Need Assistance?

If you require legal consultation regarding residence permits in Latvia and/or assistance with preparing the necessary documents, feel free to contact us. We will be happy to help!

Contact Information:
Email: follaw@follaw.eu
Phone: +371 24662977
You can also send us a message through our website by scrolling down the page.

Other useful articles:

One more time about Latvian Citizenship Through the Repatriation Program
Residence Permit in Latvia Based on Employment