Immigration Procedure

All international students at RSU are obliged to go through an immigration procedure when they come to study in Latvia.

This is due to the fact that international students stay in Latvia for several years and thus have to be registered in Latvia. Moreover, institutions dealing with immigration procedures in Latvia (State Border Guards, Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA), and Security Police) check on foreigners in Latvia in order to know if they are safe and whether everything is fine. All these institutions are very strict, which is why it is advisable to follow the steps laid out below since it will help you to avoid unnecessary difficulties and will definitely save you time.

To graduate and receive the RSU diploma registration in Latvia (Latvian Personal Code) is compulsory.

Immigration Procedure for EU/EEA Citizens

The acquisition of an eID Card will be settled with the help of the RSU Immigration Officer after you arrive and within your first 3 months in Riga.

Please visit the Immigration Procedures for EU/EEA Citizens for more information.

ID card (example)	Residence permit (example)

Immigration Procedure for Non-EU/EEA Citizens

Immigration procedures for non-EU/EEA citizens are typically more complex and take more time than those for EU/EEA citizens. There is a specific process you have to go through before coming to Latvia, once you have arrived, and once every year of your stay in Latvia. Moreover, there are also specific entry procedures for citizens representing certain countries. However, once you have arrived, your stay in Latvia will be on the basis of a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP). Please find below more information about what you should do to enter Latvia and stay here during your studies.

RSU Application

The first step even before the immigration process is to send a full application to the RSU International Admissions Office. If you are admitted, an RSU Admissions Officer will prepare a study agreement and send it to you, together with other relevant documents. When this is done, an RSU Immigration Officer will get in touch with you to help you with the immigration process. Since the immigration process can take an unlimited amount of time, it is advisable to complete your application as soon as possible.

Immigration Invitation

After you have been admitted, the RSU Immigration Officer will prepare an official invitation for you to apply for the Temporary Residency Permit (TRP). The documents for each student are submitted to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA). The OCMA checks all your documents, does an additional inspection if it applies, and issues a decision on whether to grant you an invitation to come to Latvia or not.

In order to prepare the invitation, please e-mail immigrationrsu[pnkts]lv.

Request for Visa or Temporary Residence Permit (TRP)

If the OCMA approves the invitation, the RSU Immigration Officer will inform you about it and send you the invitation number.

There are three different procedures that you may undergo depending on your country of citizenship: 

1. Citizens of countries who do not require a visa to enter Latvia or who have a residency permit in a European Union country (Schengen area)

If you are a citizen of the country listed HERE or who has a residency permit in a European Union country (Schengen area), you do not require a visa to enter Latvia and stay in its territory for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Since you do not need a visa to enter Latvia, you can come to Rīga.
During Orientation Week we will be organizing an immigration workshop. Attendance is mandatory. During the workshop, you will receive all the relevant information to apply for the TRP.

STEP 1: Apply for TRP

Please note that you have to apply for the TRP within the first 30 days of your stay in Latvia. In order to submit the documents, there are several things you must do. Please see the information below:

At this moment OCMA (Immigration Office in Latvia) is working remotely. It means that you are able to submit your application only via regular mail (Postal Office). Please pay attention that students are not able to submit applications simply via e-mail. 
You can send the documents to any of the OCMA divisions in Riga.

The list of documents to apply for a TRP (you should submit only copies and not originals):

• PASSPORT (full passport, all pages) (copy)
• BANK STATEMENT signed and stamped confirming that you have a minimum of 8400.00 EUR (the necessary subsistence per 1 year (700 Euro per month)) in your bank account (in the bank statement should be included your passport data and bank details - full bank title, address, registration number, SWIFT code, your bank’s account number, your passport number or date of birth) – valid for 3 months
  • If the bank statement is in your parent’s name, the sum has to be doubled - 16 800.00 EUR
• STUDY CONTRACT (copy)
• APPLICATION FORM (PDF file) 
• OCMA LETTER (Word file, write your invitation number here) – this document you should submit as original
• If you are a citizen of a country not listed HERE and with a residency permit in a European Union country (Schengen area) you will have to submit the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) (original)
  • PCC must be legalized or have an Apostille seal on it (depending on the country where you have resided for the past 12 months). PCC is valid for 6 months

After you have received a positive TRP decision:

• X-RAY / Latvian doctor's decision about your X-ray (only after you have received a positive TRP decision)
• RENTAL AGREEMENT (only after you have received a positive TRP decision)
• HEALTH INSURANCE (only after you have received a positive TRP decision)

STEP 2: Submit Biometric dataFrom the moment OCMA receives and registers your application, it takes one month to receive a TRP decision.After the positive TRP decision, you will have to visit the OCMA and submit the Biometric data (photo, fingerprints) for the TRP card to be prepared.
STEP 3: Collect your TRP cardIn a week’s time from submitting the Biometric data, the TRP card will be prepared. Upon collecting the TRP card you will have to provide the following documents: 

• take with you submitted document originals (STUDY CONTRACT, PASSPORT/ID card)
• HEALTH INSURANCE (original and a copy). Health insurance has to be an internationally recognised policy and:
  • Be valid in Latvia and Schengen Area for at least one year Compensation of a minimum of EUR 43 000 (health-related expenses)
  • Cover repatriation expenses to the country of origin
  • Students usually get local health insurance (travel insurance for a year. It costs ~40Eur)
•  X-RAY / Latvian doctor's decision about your X-ray
• RENTAL AGREEMENT (to declare address)

After OCMA specialists have checked your documents, you will receive your TRP card allowing you to reside in Latvia for a period of time stated by the OCMA (usually one calendar year).

STEP 4: Declare your addressYou have an obligation to declare your place of residence in Latvia. The best way to do it is to declare your address at OCMA when you receive your TRP card. This service costs EUR 4.27 and takes 5 minutes (can be paid only with a bank card).

For more information please view the OCMA article DECLARATION OF RESIDENCE PLACE.

If the OCMA employee informs you that they cannot declare your address (please ask for reasons) and contact immigrationrsu[pnkts]lv.

STEP 5: Update RSU

Send the photos of the TRP card (both sides) to RSU Immigration Office (K-218) via email: immigrationrsu[pnkts]lv.

Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Immigration Officer must have the following information about you:

• TRP card (both sides)
• Declared place of residence in Riga (address)
• Phone number
• Passport

2. Citizens of countries that REQUIRE a visa to enter Latvia

If you are a citizen of a country NOT mentioned HERE and HERE, you REQUIRE a visa to enter Latvia.
 

STEP 1: Apply for Visa

RSU will send you via courier mail the required documents you will need to apply for the visa.

Since RSU is not directly involved in the visa process, please consult the Latvian Embassy in your country or region to learn what procedures you should undergo and what documents you need to submit. 

If all the procedures go well and you receive a visa inset (sticker) in your passport, you can finally buy plane tickets and prepare for your arrival in Rīga.

General information about visas, their types and applications can be found on the OCMA website.

STEP 2: Apply for TRP

During Orientation Week we will be organizing an immigration workshop. Attendance is mandatory. During the workshop, you will receive all the relevant information to apply for the TRP.

Once you have received your visa, you can enter Latvia and submit all the necessary documents directly. Please note that you should do this within the first 30 days of your stay in Latvia. In order to submit the documents, there are several things you must do. Please see the information below:

At this moment OCMA (Immigration Office in Latvia) is working remotely. It means that you are able to submit your application only via regular mail (Postal Office). Please pay attention that students are not able to submit applications simply via e-mail. 
You can send the documents to any of the OCMA divisions in Riga.

The list of documents to apply for a TRP (you should submit only copies and not originals):

• PASSPORT (full passport, all pages) (copy)
• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) (original)
  PCC must be legalized or have an Apostille seal on it (depending on the country where you have resided for the past 12 months). PCC is valid for 6 months
• BANK STATEMENT signed and stamped confirming that you have a minimum of 8400.00 EUR (the necessary subsistence per 1 year (700 Euro per month)) in your bank account (in the bank statement should be included your passport data and bank details - full bank title, address, registration number, SWIFT code, your bank’s account number, your passport number or date of birth) – valid for 3 months
  • If the bank statement is in your parent’s name, the sum has to be doubled - 16 800.00 EUR
• STUDY CONTRACT (copy)
• APPLICATION FORM (PDF file) 
• OCMA LETTER (Word file, write your invitation number here) – this document you should submit as original

After you have received a positive TRP decision:

• X-RAY / Latvian doctor's decision about your X-ray (only after you have received a positive TRP decision)
• RENTAL AGREEMENT (only after you have received a positive TRP decision)
• HEALTH INSURANCE (only after you have received a positive TRP decision)

STEP 3: Submit Biometric dataFrom the moment OCMA receives and registers your application, it takes one month to receive a TRP decision.After the positive TRP decision, you will have to visit the OCMA and submit the Biometric data (photo, fingerprints) for the TRP card to be prepared.
STEP 4: Collect your TRP cardIn a week’s time from submitting the Biometric data, the TRP card will be prepared. Upon collecting the TRP card you will have to provide the following documents: 

• take with you submitted document originals (STUDY CONTRACT, PASSPORT/ID card)
• HEALTH INSURANCE (original and a copy). Health insurance has to be an internationally recognised policy and:
  • Be valid in Latvia and Schengen Area for at least one year Compensation of a minimum of EUR 43 000 (health-related expenses)
  • Cover repatriation expenses to the country of origin
  • Students usually get local health insurance (travel insurance for a year. It costs ~40Eur)
•  X-RAY / Latvian doctor's decision about your X-ray
• RENTAL AGREEMENT (to declare address)

After OCMA specialists have checked your documents, you will receive your TRP card allowing you to reside in Latvia for a period of time stated by the OCMA (usually one calendar year).

STEP 5: Declare your addressYou have an obligation to declare your place of residence in Latvia. The best way to do it is to declare your address at OCMA when you receive your TRP card. This service costs EUR 4.27 and takes 5 minutes (can be paid only with a bank card).

For more information please view the OCMA article DECLARATION OF RESIDENCE PLACE.

If the OCMA employee informs you that they cannot declare your address (please ask for reasons) and contact immigrationrsu[pnkts]lv.

STEP 6: Update RSU

Send the photos of the TRP card (both sides) to RSU Immigration Office (K-218) via email: immigrationrsu[pnkts]lv 

Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Immigration Officer must have the following information about you:

• TRP card (both sides)
• Declared place of residence in Riga (address)
• Phone number
• Passport

3. Citizens of countries that have to apply for the TRP prior to receiving the visa

If you are a citizen of a country in which, in Issuing a Visa or Residence Permit, an Additional Assessment shall be Performed, during the visit to the embassy you will have to apply for the Temporary Residency Permit (TRP). The visa will be issued based on the positive TRP decision.

STEP 1: Apply for TRP

RSU will send you via courier mail some of the required documents you will need to apply for the TRP.

Since RSU is not directly involved in the process, please consult the Latvian Embassy in your country or region to learn what procedures you should undergo and what documents you need to submit. However, the following information might be useful:

During the appointment you will have to submit the following documents to apply for TRP:

• PASSPORT (full passport, all pages) (copy)
• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) (original)
  PCC must be legalized or have an Apostille seal on it (depending on the country where you have resided for the past 12 months). PCC is valid for 6 months
• BANK STATEMENT signed and stamped confirming that you have a minimum of 8400.00 EUR (the necessary subsistence per 1 year (700 Euro per month)) in your bank account (in the bank statement should be included your passport data and bank details - full bank title, address, registration number, SWIFT code, your bank’s account number, your passport number or date of birth) – valid for 3 months
  • If the bank statement is in your parent’s name, the sum has to be doubled - 16 800.00 EUR
• STUDY CONTRACT (copy)
• APPLICATION FORM (PDF file) 
• Other documents the embassy might request. Like Travel Insurance

The documents are sent to the OCMA via diplomatic mail usually every two weeks. 
From the moment OCMA receives and registers your application it takes at least one month for the OCMA to issue a TRP decision.
It is possible to fast-track the decision - 200 EUR to get the decision within 10 days or 400 EUR to get the decision within 5 days (from the moment OCMA receives and registers your application).
If all the procedures go well and you receive a positive TRP decision from the OCMA, you receive a 30-day visa inset (sticker) in your passport. You can finally buy plane tickets and prepare for your arrival in Rīga.
General information about visas, their types and applications can be found on the OCMA website.

During Orientation Week we will be organizing an immigration workshop. Attendance is mandatory. During the workshop, you will receive all the relevant information about residency in Latvia.

STEP 2: Submit Biometric data

As you have received the positive TRP decision, you will have to visit the OCMA and submit the Biometric data (photo, fingerprints) for the TRP card to be prepared.

Please note that as your visa is only for 30 days, you should do this as soon as possible upon your arrival in Riga.

STEP 3: Collect your TRP card
In a week’s time from submitting the Biometric data, the TRP card will be prepared. Upon collecting the TRP card you will have to provide the following documents: 

• take with you submitted document originals (STUDY CONTRACT, PASSPORT/ID card)
• HEALTH INSURANCE (original and a copy). Health insurance has to be an internationally recognised policy and:
  • Be valid in Latvia and Schengen Area for at least one year Compensation of a minimum of EUR 43 000 (health-related expenses)
  • Cover repatriation expenses to the country of origin
  • Students usually get local health insurance (travel insurance for a year. It costs ~40Eur)
•  X-RAY / Latvian doctor's decision about your X-ray
• RENTAL AGREEMENT (to declare address)

After OCMA specialists have checked your documents, you will receive your TRP card allowing you to reside in Latvia for a period of time stated by the OCMA (usually one calendar year).

STEP 5: Declare your addressYou have an obligation to declare your place of residence in Latvia. The best way to do it is to declare your address at OCMA when you receive your TRP card. This service costs EUR 4.27 and takes 5 minutes (can be paid only with a bank card).

For more information please view the OCMA article DECLARATION OF RESIDENCE PLACE.

If the OCMA employee informs you that they cannot declare your address (please ask for reasons) and contact immigrationrsu[pnkts]lv.

STEP 6: Update RSU

Send the photos of the TRP card (both sides) to the RSU Immigration Office (K-218) via email: immigrationrsu[pnkts]lv.

Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Immigration Officer must have the following information about you: