Latvia's Startup Visa is a temporary residence permit for the creation or development of an innovative product, allowing non-EU founders to live in Latvia while building a startup company and accessing the EU single market and Schengen Area. It is grounded in the Immigration Law and the Law on Aid for the Activities of Start-up Companies, and is administered jointly by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), which issues the residence permit, and the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) through its Magnetic Latvia / Startup Latvia division, which evaluates the startup idea. Up to 5 founders per business idea may apply. There is no large upfront personal investment requirement; the focus is on innovation potential and staged venture-capital milestones.
The program does not require a personal lump-sum investment. Instead, the company must meet qualified venture-capital investment milestones after the permit is issued:
As an alternative to meeting these milestones, the founder may submit a report on the company's activities confirming that it continues to design, manufacture, or develop an innovative product.
The temporary residence permit is issued for a period not exceeding 3 years. To continue the permit, qualified venture capital investment is not strictly required if the founder instead submits a report on the company's activities confirming that it continues to develop an innovative product. Renewal documents are submitted to PMLP. Personal attendance in Latvia is generally required at least once per year for registration purposes.
The founder's spouse and dependent minor children may accompany the applicant. Documents proving kinship are required, and where a child travels without one parent, an authorisation to reside in Latvia from the non-travelling parent must be provided. Subsistence of EUR 500/month per accompanying adult and EUR 150/month per minor must be shown. A certificate of no criminal record applies to family members aged 14 and over.
Under the Law on Aid for the Activities of Start-up Companies, qualifying startup employees are exempt from personal income tax on their startup employment income, and the startup pays a fixed monthly mandatory state social insurance contribution equal to two minimum monthly salaries instead of contributions on actual salary. Latvia also applies a 0% corporate income tax on retained and reinvested profits.
The process is two-stage. First, the applicant submits a free-form startup application to LIAA / Startup Latvia describing the innovative idea — technological description, business model, market potential, competitor analysis, R&D plan, and three-year business and financial projections; a pitch presentation is recommended. LIAA evaluates the idea in approximately one month. After a positive evaluation, the residence permit application is submitted to PMLP — in person at a PMLP office, at a Latvian diplomatic or consular mission abroad, or electronically. PMLP review takes 30 days standard (state fee EUR 160), 10 working days expedited (EUR 280), or 5 working days fast-track (EUR 560), with additional fees for permit issuance (EUR 25) and identity card issuance (from EUR 45). In February 2025 PMLP published an official explanatory video guide for startup founders covering documents, fees, and deadlines.
A temporary residence permit holder may apply for permanent residence after 5 years of continuous lawful residence in Latvia. Permanent residence and subsequent naturalisation are governed by the Immigration Law and the Citizenship Law and administered by PMLP.