Blue Card is a residence permit with the right to work in Latvia. This programme implies employment of a foreigner in Latvian company as a highly qualified employee with certain education and work experience requirements. In particular, the employee must have more than 5 years of work experience or higher education (bachelor's degree - study programme of not less than 3 years).

In order to apply for a residence permit (Blue Card), it is necessary to confirm the education in the chosen profession - providing a diploma under Apostille or approval of work experience - a certificate of professional experience in the profession and a document certifying the previous work of the foreigner, issued by a foreign tax administration or a social security institution with certification.

Salary requirements for 2023/2024:

• If an employee plans to work in a position where there is a labour shortage in Latvia (IT specialists, financiers and economists, web portal editors, engineers, etc.), his/her salary after obtaining a residence permit must be at least €1844 pre-tax.
• If an employee plans to work in a position where there is no shortage of labour in Latvia, his/her salary after obtaining a residence permit must be at least €2306 pre-tax.

*Once a year, on April 1, the salary amount is reviewed by the Cabinet of Ministers.

The Blue Card in Latvia has undoubted advantages over other options. First of all these are:
1. There is no need to put a vacancy on the search for an employee among locals for 10 days;
2. The standard application processing time is 10 working days;
3. Eligibility for family reunification. It follows that family members have the possibility of obtaining a residence permit at the same time as the applicant;
4. Social and legal guarantees, unemployment benefits and public health insurance;
5. In case of termination of the employment relationship, the foreigner may change the employer within 3 months and still keep the validity of the issued Blue Card.

If there is no company-employer, it is possible for the applicant to register a company in Latvia and subsequently conclude an employment contract.

Our experts on immigration law will advise you on all matters relating to obtaining a residence permit in Latvia.

Email: info@forcetax.eu