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Reason for entry – studies
Reason for entry – studies
What do I need to study in Latvia?
If you plan to study full-time for up to four months at an accredited educational institution in Latvia, you can stay in Latvia on a visa. If the period of learning (study) exceeds four months, you must apply for a temporary residence permit.
Steps to apply for a study visa:
The university chooses the legal basis for your stay – the university electronically submits an invitation or sponsorship request to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.
You must submit the necessary documents at a Latvian mission abroad. A list of documents is available at website of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.
If you receive a positive decision, you will receive your entry visa issued for, e.g., 30 days at the Latvian mission abroad.
When you arrive in Latvia, you must go to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs to apply for the residence permit card. You will need to present a valid health insurance and a certificate from a Latvian medical institution stating that you do not have tuberculosis before you can receive your card. Once you have received your residence permit, you must declare your place of residence in Latvia within 30 days. Once you have done that, you can go to a bank to open a bank account.
Can my family live with me in Latvia if I have a study visa?
If you are staying in Latvia on a temporary residence permit issued to study at an accredited university, you can ask the university to apply for a temporary residence permit for your spouse and underage children. Note that the university has no legal obligation to issue a sponsorship to the student’s family members. If this is something you would like to do, inquire with your university of choice if it offers this service.
If you are accompanied by your spouse and an underage or dependent child, you must provide proof of kinship. The university will take full responsibility for the student’s stay in Latvia, as well as for the stay of the student’s family members (including accommodation and health care), and, if necessary, for the costs of expulsion.
Four steps to apply for a temporary residence permit for family reunification:
At your request, the university submits documents to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs to register sponsorship for your relatives (spouse, underage children) to stay with you in Latvia.
The invited person submits the necessary documents at a mission of the Republic of Latvia abroad, including documents proving kinship and a document certifying the necessary subsistence security, a document of payment of the state fee. The full list of documents is available at Website of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.
If you receive a positive decision, you must go to the nearest Latvian mission abroad to obtain a visa. If you enter Latvia with a visa issued for 30 days, for example, you must visit the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs within those days to obtain a temporary residence permit.
When you arrive in Latvia, you must go to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs to apply for the residence permit card. You will need to present a valid health insurance and a certificate from a Latvian medical institution stating that you do not have tuberculosis before you can get your card. Once you have received your residence permit, you must declare your place of residence in Latvia within 30 days.
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