The gem of the Baltic Sea, Latvia, is a member of the European Union and a Schengen State. Latvia draws investors from all over the world as a result of its strategically significant geographic location. Latvia is a developed economy with high GDP rates and incomes. Opportunities for employment after graduation are crucial for international students studying abroad. Since Latvia has loosened its immigration laws since 2010, the majority of students who study there want jobs there. As a result, expats who wish to stay in Latvia now only need to meet the bare minimum of financial requirements.

After receiving their degree from a Latvian university, international students are required to sign an employment contract with a Latvian-based employer without being restricted to a particular job title or starting pay. In order to provide students with the necessary practical experience, the majority of Latvian colleges establish internship programmes during the summer breaks at local businesses and firms. After graduating from a Latvian university, it gets easier to find work there, especially after getting experience through internships.

Latvian Post-Graduation Work Permit for International Students

Your Latvian student visa expires after your course of study is finished, and you must leave the country once you have successfully earned your degree. If they have located a job contract, they must take the actions listed below to obtain a Latvian work permit.

How Non-EU/Third Country Nationals Can Obtain a Short-Term Work Permit in Latvia:
⦁ The employer will notify the employment agency of a necessary job opening in his organisation.
⦁ Following the employee's selection, the employer will apply for the employee's invitation to work in Latvia at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. Employment contracts, academic transcripts, and information about the chosen employee's qualifications are additional documents that must be submitted with the application.
⦁ If the application is accepted by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. There will be a letter of invitation issued in the employee's name. The employee will go to the Latvian Embassy or Consulate in their nation and present the necessary paperwork for the visa. In a visa, the right to work is granted.
⦁ The employee will register with the State Revenue Service as a tax payer after arriving in Latvia.

Steps to Attain Long Term Work Permit of Latvia for Non-EU/Third Country Nationals:
A study abroad applicant must obtain an education loan before applying for a visa because financial documentation is required to get one. Education loans are essential for covering the cost of studying abroad.
⦁ The employer will submit the necessary job position/vacancy information to the Employment Agency for his organisation.
⦁ After choosing a foreign worker, the employer will submit an application for an invitation to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs together with the employee's employment contract, information about the position, qualifications, and academic records.
⦁ If the application is approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs following verification, an invitation letter will be provided in the employee's name.
⦁ After obtaining an invitation letter, the employee will visit the Latvian Embassy or Consulate in their nation and submit the necessary paperwork for a residence permission and an employment permit in Latvia. The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs will issue the residency permit together with the right to work.
⦁ The employee must register with the State Revenue Service as a tax payer after arriving in Latvia.

Required Documents for Latvian Work Permit:
⦁ Valid Passport
⦁ Two recently taken passport size photographs
⦁ Completed and signed employment permit application form
⦁ Medical examination certificate
⦁ Visa application fee paid receipt
⦁ If the applicant is taking spouse and kids along they will provide marriage certificate and relevant birth certificates of children.
⦁ Employment Contract
⦁ Invitation Letter from Employer
⦁ Letter of intent from employer

Terms and Conditions of Latvian Work Permit:
It is the employer's duty to offer accommodations and health care to any third-country nationals hired as employees, whether on a temporary or permanent basis. The work permit can be extended after a year if the employment agreement is still in effect. The holders of long-term work permits also acquire a Latvian temporary residency permit. If an employee switches jobs, they must present a letter of no objection from their old employer as well as their new employer's employment contract. The citizens of third countries are permitted to have multiple jobs at once, but each employer must notify the immigration authorities separately.
The foreign national living in Latvia on a work permit may invite their family to join them during this time if they can demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover the costs of their spouse and minor children. The family will be granted a resident permit as well, with the same duration of validity as the employee's resident permit. The employment agreement may be renewed for an additional five years. The national of a third country may apply for permanent residency in Latvia after living there continuously for five years with a valid resident permit. Since Latvia is a member of the Schengen Agreement, those who have a resident permit or a work permit are eligible to travel to and remain in other Schengen countries without a visa for up to 90 days. 

In Latvia, how do you get an internship?
On a student visa, you can only work 90 full days or 180 half days per year. If you work for the university as a research assistant or a professor's assistant, this restriction does not apply to you. The visa laws let you participate in required internships, typically 12 weeks long and part of your program. You may work longer than 90 consecutive days if you have a semester off.

Permanent Residency of Latvia
A citizen of a third country who has been legally residing in Latvia for the last five years may apply for permanent residency in Latvia. The five-year validity period of the permanent residency card. For a permanent residency card, the applicant must present the following documents to the Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs:
⦁ Current passport (with details of previous visa stamps and resident permit stamps indicating 5 years long legal stay in Latvia).
⦁ The candidate's personal information, such as their marital status, number of children, parents, education, and language skills; and their Latvian residential address
⦁ Records of tax payments
⦁ Evidence of finances (previous employment details, received salary details, present employment contract details)
⦁ Verification from Latvian legal authorities attesting to the candidate's lack of criminal history and that, while residing there, he has behaved responsibly as a citizen by abiding by all laws and regulations.
⦁ Health insurance coverage (if supported by employer, the details of health insurance coverage paid by employer)
⦁ A properly filled-out and signed application for permanent residency
⦁ The candidate must demonstrate his linguistic ability and familiarity with Latvian history and culture. The immigration department may take a test to demonstrate Latvian language ability.

Rights of Permanent Resident:
⦁ In accordance with newly updated laws, individuals who hold a Latvian permanent resident card are not needed to remain in Latvia for a specific period of time in order to maintain their PR status.
⦁ Permanent residency is valid for five years, but it must be renewed annually.
⦁ People who hold Permanent Resident cards are free to visit and remain in other Schengen nations.
⦁ People who hold a PR card are not required to report their present residence to the immigration service and are free to work any job and live anywhere in Latvia.
⦁ The spouse and minor children (those under the age of 18) of a permanent resident holder are also eligible for residency.

Citizenship of Latvia 2021
Holders of permanent residency cards and their families are eligible to petition for citizenship through neutralization of Latvia after five years of residence in Latvia with a PR card. 
For citizenship of Latvia the PR Card holders must meet following requirements:
⦁ The candidates must supply information on their residence over the previous five years.
⦁ The applicants must demonstrate a specific level of fluency in Latvian, knowledge of the Latvian Constitution, knowledge of the national anthem's lyrics, and familiarity with Latvia's history and culture.
⦁ The applicants must demonstrate that their revenue is legal.
⦁ If required by their home country's law, applicants must show that they have officially given up their prior citizenship by presenting an expiration permission. Refugees and stateless people must also show that they do not hold any other citizenship.
⦁ Along with their parents, children under 15 who reside in Latvia with them will receive Latvian citizenship.