Latvia Residence Permit by Investment from Dubai
Latvia residence permit by investment from $67,100, with Schengen access.Company route only, 2 year permit, no minimum stay.
The Latvia residence permit by investment, often called the Latvia golden visa, now works only through a Latvian company. Under the Immigration Law in force since 15 September 2026, an investor who puts at least EUR 50,000 into a qualifying Latvian company and pays EUR 10,000 to the state budget can get a residence permit for up to 2 years, with no minimum stay and travel across the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180.
- About $55,900 (EUR 50,000) in the share capital of a Latvian company, plus a one time state payment of about $11,200 (EUR 10,000)
- The company must pay at least about $44,700 (EUR 40,000) in Latvian taxes every year to keep the permit
- We give our fee in writing before you pay anything
Latvia closed its property route on 15 September 2026. Only the company route is open.
The new Immigration Law removed the property purchase and bank deposit routes for new applicants and cut the permit to a maximum of 2 years. Many websites, including some official English pages, still describe the old 5 year permits and the property route. The company route suits investors who will run a real business, because the company must pay at least EUR 40,000 in Latvian taxes every year. We give our fee in writing before you pay anything.
Up to 90 days in any 180 in the other Schengen countries with a valid Latvian residence card.
Live in Latvia as long as you like. The law sets no minimum stay for investors to keep the permit.
Running your own Latvian company is the point of this route. Confirm any other employment with a Latvian lawyer.
A European residence permit does not change UK or US visa rules. If your passport needs a UK or US visa today, it still will.
Latvia Residence Permit by Investment at a Glance
- Programme
- Temporary residence permit for investors under Article 27 of the Immigration Law of 20 August 2026, in force since 15 September 2026
- Small company route
- About $55,900 (EUR 50,000) in share capital, by founding a company or increasing its capital. The company has 50 or fewer employees and turnover or balance sheet of EUR 10 million or less. At most 10 foreign investors per company.
- Larger company route
- About $111,800 (EUR 100,000) in a company with more than 50 employees and turnover or balance sheet above EUR 10 million
- State payment
- About $11,200 (EUR 10,000), paid once with the first application, not refundable
- Yearly tax test
- The company must pay at least about $44,700 (EUR 40,000) in Latvian taxes each financial year, or about $111,800 (EUR 100,000) on the larger route
- Permit
- Up to 2 years, renewable while the conditions are met
- Minimum stay
- None
- Family
- Spouse and minor children
- Decision time
- 30 days by law, extendable to a maximum of 4 months
- Schengen Area
- Travel without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180
- Excluded
- Russian and Belarusian citizens
Latvia Golden Visa Changes in 2026
- Parliament passed a new Immigration Law in June 2026. The President returned it for review, and it was adopted again on 20 August 2026 and came into force on 15 September 2026.
- The property purchase and bank deposit routes were removed for new applicants. Applications filed by 14 September 2026 follow the old law.
- The maximum permit length fell from 5 years to 2 years, and the residence card now matches the permit.
- The EUR 10,000 state payment stays. After 5 years on the route, a renewal costs a further EUR 2,000.
- A EUR 150,000 route through a state fund manager is written into the law but is not yet available, because the fund manager has not been set up.
- From 31 December 2027, people whose permits add up to 18 months or more must complete an early integration programme with basic (A1) Latvian and a culture course. Investors are not exempt.
Latvia Investment Routes in 2026
- Small company
- About $55,900 (EUR 50,000) plus the $11,200 state payment. Open.
- Larger company
- About $111,800 (EUR 100,000) plus the $11,200 state payment. Open.
- State fund manager
- About $167,700 (EUR 150,000) for 5 years. In the law, not yet operational.
- Property purchase
- Closed to new applicants since 15 September 2026
- Bank deposit
- Closed to new applicants since 15 September 2026
How to Apply for the Latvia Residence Permit by Investment from Dubai
- Eligibility check. We look at your nationality, budget, business plan, family and source of funds before you commit.
- Set up or invest in the company. A Latvian lawyer founds a company or increases the capital of an existing one with your power of attorney, and registers it in the Latvian Commercial Register.
- Pay the state payment. EUR 10,000 goes to the Latvian state budget with the first application.
- Apply for the permit. The file goes to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) in Riga or through a Latvian diplomatic mission, as your lawyer advises. If your passport needs a Schengen visa to travel to Riga, we arrange it from Dubai.
- Decision. The law gives 30 days, extendable to a maximum of 4 months once all documents are in.
- Card and renewals. Your card is valid for up to 2 years. Renew while the company keeps paying its taxes. Reapplying more than 90 days after expiry, or changing the company, counts as a new first application.
Latvia Residence Permit by Investment Costs and Fees
- Share capital
- About $55,900 (EUR 50,000), held in your company
- State payment
- About $11,200 (EUR 10,000), once
- Permit review fee
- About $179 (EUR 160) for a 30 day decision, $313 (EUR 280) for 10 working days, $626 (EUR 560) for 5 working days
- Renewal after 5 years
- About $2,240 (EUR 2,000), once
- Yearly taxes
- At least about $44,700 (EUR 40,000), paid by the company
- Company running costs
- Accounting, registered address, bank and Latvian lawyer, agreed separately
- Example
- One investor founding a small company puts about $55,900 into the company and pays about $11,200 to the state, about $67,100 in total, plus the permit fee, before legal and company running costs
- Not included
- Travel to Latvia, translations, health insurance and our fee
Amounts are set in euros by law. USD figures use the European Central Bank rate of 3 November 2026 (1 EUR = 1.1179 USD) and are rounded, so the dollar amount you pay will move with the exchange rate.
Is the Latvia Investment Refundable?
The share capital belongs to your company, not to the state. It is used in the business and carries normal business risk, so it is not a deposit you get back on request.
The EUR 10,000 state payment and the permit fees are not refundable.
Who Can Be Included in the Latvia Residence Permit
- Your spouse
- Your minor children
Family members get permits for the same term as the investor. Ask a Latvian lawyer about other relatives before you apply.
Latvia Permanent Residence and Citizenship
The investor permit is a temporary residence permit. EU long term resident status needs 5 years of continuous residence in Latvia, with no absence longer than 6 months in a row or 10 months in total, Latvian at A2 level, a culture and history course and proof of funds. If you live in Dubai you will not qualify.
Latvian citizenship needs further years of residence and language and history exams, and Latvia limits dual citizenship for most non EU nationals, so do not choose this route for a passport.
Latvia Golden Visa Risks to Weigh Before You Decide
- Real business needed. The company must pay at least EUR 40,000 in Latvian taxes every year, or the permit can be cancelled.
- Short permit. Permits last up to 2 years, so you renew often.
- Language duty. From the end of 2027, basic Latvian and a culture course become compulsory for longer term permit holders, investors included.
- Political risk. Latvia removed its property route in 2026, and politicians have proposed further cuts to investor routes.
- Nationality limits. Russian and Belarusian citizens cannot use the investor routes, and the government can suspend other nationalities for up to 5 years.
- Out of date advice. Many agents and even official English pages still describe the old 5 year permit and property route. Check every claim against the current law.
Latvia Compared With Other Residency Routes
Lowest entry
Yearly condition
How Visa Doctor Will Help
Visa Doctor FZC is a UAE registered immigration services company (trade licence 4417571.01, Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone). We are not a government authorised agent for any programme, and we do not sell property or fund units or take investment money.
We explain the new rules and the real costs honestly, check your eligibility and business case and, if you decide to proceed, help you reach an independent Latvian lawyer who sets up the company and files the application. If your passport needs a Schengen visa for trips to Riga, we arrange it from Dubai. We give our fee in writing before you pay anything. We never promise approval, which belongs to the government involved.
Latvia Residence Permit by Investment: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Latvia golden visa cost in 2026?
The open route needs at least EUR 50,000 (about $55,900) in the share capital of a qualifying Latvian company plus a one time state payment of EUR 10,000 (about $11,200), so about $67,100 in total, plus a permit review fee from about $179. The company must then pay at least EUR 40,000 (about $44,700) in Latvian taxes every year. Legal, accounting and company costs and our fee are extra, and Visa Doctor gives its fee in writing before you pay anything.
Can I still get Latvian residence by buying property?
No. The property purchase and bank deposit routes closed to new applicants on 15 September 2026 when the new Immigration Law came into force. Applications filed by 14 September 2026 continue under the old rules.
Does the Latvian residence permit allow Schengen travel?
Yes. Latvia is in the Schengen Area, so a valid Latvian residence card lets you travel to the other Schengen countries without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180 day period.
Do I have to live in Latvia?
No. The law sets no minimum stay for investors to keep or renew the permit. Permanent residence and citizenship do need real residence in Latvia, and from 31 December 2027 holders whose permits add up to 18 months or more must complete a basic Latvian language and culture programme.
What is the EUR 40,000 tax requirement?
To keep the permit, the company you invested in must pay at least EUR 40,000 (about $44,700) in Latvian state and municipal taxes in each financial year, or EUR 100,000 for the larger company route. A tax debt of more than EUR 150 can lead to refusal or cancellation. This means the route suits a real, trading business, not a passive investment.
How long does the Latvia residence permit take?
The law gives the authority 30 days to decide once all documents are received, extendable to a maximum of 4 months. Setting up or investing in the company, opening a bank account and preparing documents add time before you apply.
Can my family be included?
Yes. Your spouse and minor children can get residence permits for the same term as yours. Ask a Latvian lawyer about other relatives before you apply.
Is Visa Doctor a licensed agent for the Latvia residence permit?
Latvia does not license residence by investment agents. The company is set up and the application filed with the help of a Latvian lawyer. Visa Doctor FZC is a UAE registered immigration services company (trade licence 4417571.01) and is not a government authorised agent for any programme.
Sources and Last Check
Last checked 5 November 2026. Sources: the Immigration Law of 20 August 2026 as published in Latvijas Vestnesis no. 167, in force 15 September 2026, Articles 27 to 33 and the transitional provisions; Cabinet Regulation No. 731 on state fees; the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs page on share capital investors, which has not yet been updated for the new law; legal commentary on the June 2026 adoption; and the ECB euro reference rate. This page is general information, not legal, tax or investment advice.
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