What investment amount applies to the share capital permit?

The law lists EUR 50,000 for a company with no more than 50 employees and turnover or annual balance not exceeding EUR 10 million. The two EUR 100,000 categories apply to larger companies, including one with qualifying Latvian subsidiaries.

Latvia investor residence permit: published requirements

Latvia has published rules for a share capital investor residence permit. The rules cover the investment categories, state payments, application documents, family eligibility, residence period, and permanent residence conditions.

Locator map showing the position of Latvia — Locator map of Latvia. Original drawing from Natural Earth public-domain boundary data.

Legal basis and authority

The Immigration Law provides for a temporary residence permit for a foreigner investing in a Latvian company's equity capital. The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs publishes the route's application information and the State fee schedule covers permit document review and registration.^[1]^[2]^[3]

A U.S. citizen is a foreigner for purposes of this route.

Investment categories and amounts

The statute sets three share capital categories, with a required payment into the State budget when the first temporary permit is requested. The qualifying amount depends on the company's employees and its annual turnover or balance sheet.^[2]

At least EUR 50,000 may be invested in a company with no more than 50 employees and annual turnover or annual balance not exceeding EUR 10 million. No more than 10 foreigners may receive permits for investment in one company under this category, when each meets the investment and state payment conditions.^[2]
At least EUR 100,000 may be invested in a company with more than 50 employees and annual turnover or annual balance above EUR 10 million.^[2]
At least EUR 100,000 may also be invested in a company that, together with one or more Latvian registered subsidiaries, has more than 50 employees and annual turnover or annual balance above EUR 10 million.^[2]

Application and government fees

The application documents include a passport copy, application form, photograph, and proof of subsistence. For an applicant older than 14, it also lists a criminal record statement when the applicant has lived in the issuing country for longer than 12 months. The inviter must have the invitation letter approved by the OCMA before documents are submitted.^[1]

The OCMA states subsistence of EUR 500 per month for an adult and EUR 150 per month for a minor family member. State fees for document review vary by processing period, and permit registration is charged separately. The EUR 10,000 State budget payment is distinct from these service fees.^[1]^[3]

Family members

The spouse, minor children, and people under the investor's or spouse's trusteeship may request temporary residence permits for the duration of the investor's permit. Documents for an accompanied minor child or a child under maintenance include relationship evidence and permission from the other parent to reside in Latvia.^[1]^[2]

Permit duration and residence conditions

A temporary permit under the share capital category may be issued for a period of up to five years. The law states that registration of a temporary residence permit is required once every five years.^[2]

Permanent residence and citizenship

The Immigration Law grants a right to request permanent residence to a foreigner who has continuously stayed in Latvia with a temporary permit for at least five years before the last permit ends. It requires acquisition of the official language for this category.

Questions and answers

Is there a payment to the State budget?

Yes. For the share capital category, the law requires EUR 10,000 to be paid into the State budget when requesting the first temporary residence permit.^[2]

Which family members may request permits?

The spouse, minor children, and persons under trusteeship of the investor or spouse may request temporary permits for the investor permit's duration. The OCMA also specifies supporting papers when a minor child or child under maintenance accompanies the applicant.^[1]^[2]

How long can the temporary permit last?

The law allows a share capital investor temporary residence permit for up to five years. The law also says temporary permits are registered once every five years.^[2]

Does the law state a path to permanent residence?

It allows a foreigner who has continuously held temporary residence in Latvia for at least five years before the last permit ends to request permanent residence. Official language acquisition applies to this category, and the law defines continuity with absence limits.^[2]

What monthly subsistence amount does the OCMA publish?

The OCMA publishes a subsistence amount of EUR 500 per month for the applicant. For accompanying family members, it lists EUR 500 per adult and EUR 150 per minor.^[1]

Related glossary terms

Residence by investment: Residence by investment links an investment to residence status or a permit. Each country sets its own investment rules, as well as income and family rules.
Golden visa: Golden visa is a common label for residence permits connected to investment, though official programs use different names and conditions for each route.