NVA vacancy
Third-country nationals may be employed only if the vacancy has been open for at least 10 working days and registered in the NVA CV and vacancy portal, except for specific exemptions.
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Useful for employers
European Union citizens have almost no restrictions on entering, staying and working in Latvia. Employment of third-country nationals is subject to a range of restrictions related to entry, residence rights and employment.
The employer is responsible for the foreign national’s employment and stay, including compliance with minimum salary requirements.
20158016
valid residence permits
202417 726
valid residence permits
202415 558
issued to employees
What the employer should consider
Employer status
The employer must be registered as a taxpayer and must not have tax or other compulsory payment debt to the state budget.
PMLP decision term
If the invitation or sponsorship call request is related to employment, PMLP decides on approval within five working days after the required documents are submitted.
From 1 January 2025, amendments are in force under which an employer obtains the right to apply to PMLP for approval of an invitation for a visa or a sponsorship call for a residence permit if NVA has recognised the need to attract the foreign national.
Visa and residence permit
Visa
- Short-term visa — for a period of up to three months, not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period.
- Long-term visa — for a period of up to one year.
- A visa is chosen when the employee is not planned to be employed long-term, a probation period applies or duties must start as soon as possible.
- The invitation is valid for 6 months from the approval date.
Residence permit
- Issued for a period of up to five years.
- The residence permit card must be renewed annually.
- Chosen when the employee is planned to be employed long-term.
- When a residence permit is granted, the person is registered in the Register of Natural Persons and receives a personal identity number.
It is forecast that over the next 10 years the number of guest workers in Latvia will be twice as high as now.
In 2023, the list of vacancies unfilled for more than three months was led by professions such as truck driver, auxiliary worker, construction worker, mason, concrete worker and seasonal agricultural workers.
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