Regulations Regarding the State Fee for the Examination of the Documents Necessary for Requesting a Visa, Residence Permit or the Status of a Long-term Resident of the European Union in the Republic of Latvia and the Services Related Thereto

Issued pursuant to
Section 6 of the Immigration Law and Section 4,
Paragraph two of the Law on the Status of a Long-term Resident
of the European Community in the Republic of Latvia

1. This Regulation prescribes:

1.1. the rates of the State fee for the examination of the documents necessary for requesting a long-stay visa or a residence permit and the services related thereto, and the categories of persons who are exempted from paying the State fee or to whom, upon requesting a uniform visa, a reduced rate of the State fee shall be applied;

1.2. the rates of the State fee for the examination of the documents necessary for requesting the status of a long-term resident of the European Union in the Republic of Latvia;

1.3. the procedures for paying the State fee.

2. The rates of the State fee for the examination of the documents necessary for requesting a long-stay visa shall be as follows:

2.1. EUR 60;

2.2. for the examination of an application submitted less than three working days prior to expiry of the lawful term of residence in the Republic of Latvia - EUR 120.

3. The rates of the State fee for the approval of an invitation for requesting a visa shall be as follows:

3.1. for a request submitted for the approval of an invitation - EUR 10;

3.2. for a request submitted for the approval of an invitation which has been submitted electronically by using the special online form provided in the portal of public administration services at www.latvija.lv - EUR 5;

3.3. in addition to the rate of the State fee referred to in Sub-paragraph 3.1 or 3.2 of this Regulation - for each person included in the request for an invitation who is older than six years - EUR 4;

3.4. in addition to the rate of the State fee referred to in Sub-paragraph 3.1 or 3.2 of this Regulation - for each child included in the request for an invitation in the age of up to six years - EUR 2;

3.5. in addition to the rate of the State fee referred to in Sub-paragraphs 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 of this Regulation - for each request of the person to be invited for employment rights - EUR 55.

4. The rate of the State fee for each correction in the information included in the request for an invitation performed in accordance with the request of an inviter - EUR 6.

5. The rates of the State fees for the examination of the documents necessary for requesting a residence permit shall be as follows:

5.1. examination of the documents submitted for requesting a temporary residence permit:

5.1.1. within 30 days - EUR 100;

5.1.2. within 10 working days - EUR 200;

5.1.3. within five working days - EUR 400;

5.2. Examination of the documents submitted for requesting a European Union Blue Card for a foreigner and examination of the documents submitted for requesting a temporary residence permit for a family member of the foreigner:

5.2.1. within 10 working days - EUR 100;

5.2.2. within five working days - EUR 200;

5.3. examination of the documents submitted for requesting a temporary residence permit for a spouse of a citizen of Latvia, a non-citizen of Latvia and a foreigner who has received the long-term residence permit, his or her minor child or a person under guardianship or trusteeship, as well as for a pupil of an accredited educational institution or a full-time student:

5.3.1. within 30 days - EUR 70;

5.3.2. within 10 working days - EUR 200;

5.3.3. within five working days - EUR 400;

5.4. examination of the documents submitted for requesting a temporary residence permit for a foreigner who has acquired alternative status, his or her family members in the case of family reunification, or for a foreigner who requests a temporary residence permit in accordance with Section 23, Paragraph one, Clause 27 of the Immigration Law:

5.4.1. within 30 days - EUR 20;

5.4.2. within 10 working days - EUR 40;

5.3.4. within five working days - EUR 80;

5.5. examination of the documents submitted for requesting a temporary residence permit for a foreigner who requests the temporary residence permit in accordance with Section 23, Paragraph one, Clause 28, 29, 30 or 31 of the Immigration Law, and his or her family member:

5.5.1. within 30 days - EUR 150;

5.5.2. within 10 working days - EUR 300;

5.3.5. within five working days - EUR 450;

5.6. examination of the documents submitted for requesting a temporary residence permit in accordance with Section 33, Paragraph one, Clause 2 of the Immigration Law:

5.6.1. within 90 days - EUR 150;

5.6.2. within 45 days - EUR 300;

5.6.3. within 10 working days - EUR 450;

5.7. examination of the documents submitted for requesting the status of a permanent resident of the European Union in the Republic of Latvia:

5.7.1. within 90 days - EUR 100;

5.7.2. within 45 days - EUR 200;

5.7.3. within 10 working days - EUR 400;

5.8. examination of the documents submitted for requesting a long-term residence permit:

5.8.1. within 30 days - EUR 100;

5.8.2. within 10 working days - EUR 200;

5.9. examination of the documents submitted for requesting a permanent residence permit for a foreigner who is a minor child of a citizen of Latvia, non-citizen of Latvia or of a foreigner who has received the long-term residence permit, or who has been a citizen of Latvia or non-citizen of Latvia prior to obtaining another citizenship, or examination of the documents submitted for requesting the status of a permanent resident of the European Union in the Republic of Latvia for a non-citizen of Latvia:

5.9.1. within 30 days - EUR 50;

5.9.2. within 10 working days - EUR 200;

5.10. examination of the documents submitted for requesting a long-term residence permit for a foreigner who has acquired the refugee status and his or her family members in the case of family reunification:

5.10.1. within 30 days - EUR 70;

5.10.2. within 10 working days - EUR 140;

5.3.10. within five working days - EUR 210;

5.11. examination of the documents submitted for requesting the status of a permanent resident of the European Union in the Republic of Latvia for a foreigner who has been a citizen or a non-citizen of Latvia prior to obtaining another citizenship, or for a foreigner who resides in the Republic of Latvia with a valid long-term residence permit:

5.11.1. within 90 days - EUR 70;

5.11.2. within 45 days - EUR 140;

5.11.3. within 10 working days - EUR 210;

5.12. issuance of a residence permit, if the previous residence permit has been lost or damaged, or data contained therein have changed - EUR 15.

[30 October 2018]

6. The rates of the State fee for registering a residence permit shall be as follows:

6.1. for the examination of the documents submitted for registering a temporary residence permit:

6.1.1. within 30 days - EUR 45;

6.1.2. within 10 working days - EUR 90;

6.1.3. within five working days - EUR 180;

6.2. for the examination of the documents submitted for registering a temporary residence permit, issued in accordance with Section 23, Paragraph one, Clause 28, 29 or 30 of the Immigration Law, for a foreigner, and his or her family members:

6.2.1. within 30 days - EUR 70;

6.2.2. within 10 working days - EUR 140;

6.2.3. within five working days - EUR 210;

6.3. for the examination of the documents submitted for registering a long-term residence permit:

6.3.1. within 30 days - EUR 35;

6.3.2. within 10 working days - EUR 90;

6.3.3. within five working days - EUR 140.

7. The rates of the State fee for the approval of sponsorship for requesting or registering a residence permit shall be as follows:

7.1. for a request submitted for the approval of a sponsorship - EUR 10;

7.2. for a request submitted for the approval of a sponsorship which has been submitted electronically by using the special online form available in the portal of public administration services at www.latvija.lv - EUR 5;

7.3. in addition to the rate of the State fee referred to in Sub-paragraph 7.1 or 7.2 of this Regulation - for each person included in the request for a sponsorship who is older than six years - EUR 4;

7.4. in addition to the rate of the State fee referred to in Sub-paragraph 7.1 or 7.2 of this Regulation - for each child included in the request for a sponsorship in the age of up to six years - EUR 2;

7.5. in addition to the rate of the State fee referred to in Sub-paragraphs 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 of this Regulation - for each request of the employment right for the person to be invited - EUR 55.

8. The rate of the State fee for each correction in the information included in the request for a sponsorship performed in accordance with the request of an inviter - EUR 6.

9. The State fee for granting additional employment rights in cases where an application for the request of a new residence permit is not submitted - EUR 20.

[30 October 2018]

10. The State fee shall be paid prior to the submission of the relevant documents, and it shall be transferred to the State budget. Payments into the State budget shall be performed using the following types of payment services:

10.1. at a diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Latvia in a foreign country (hereinafter - the mission) by using a payment card in the payment card acceptance terminal or another alternative system (if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an intermediary institution ensures it technically), or if its impossible due to the specific nature of settlements of a country of residence, by using other methods of payment, as determined by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

10.2. with the intermediation of such a provider of payment services which has the right to provide payment services within the meaning of the Law on Payment Services and Electronic Money;

10.3. using an online payment service if the inviter submits the request referred to in Sub-paragraph 3.1 or 7.1 of this Regulation electronically by using the special online form available in the portal of public administration services at www.latvija.lv;

10.4. in the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (hereinafter - the Office) using a payment card in the payment card terminal or in another alternative system (if the Office or intermediary institution technically ensures this).

11. The categories of persons exempted from payment of the State fee shall be as follows:

11.1. a foreigner and his or her inviter, if exemption from payment of the State fee conforms to the international agreements binding on the Republic of Latvia;

11.2. a foreigner and his or her inviter, if the entry and stay of the foreigner conforms to the national interests of Latvia;

11.3. a foreigner who requests a visa with a notation "Diplomātiskā vīza" [Diplomatic visa] or "Dienesta vīza" [Service visa];

11.4. a foreigner who requests a visa and it is associated with humanitarian considerations;

11.5. a citizen of Latvia - for the approval of a sponsorship for his or her spouse, minor child (also a child under guardianship) and persons under his or her trusteeship or his or her spouse's trusteeship;

11.6. a family member of a citizen of Latvia who moves to the Republic of Latvia together with a citizen of Latvia from another European Union Member State, European Economic Area State or Swiss Confederation - for the examination of the documents necessary for requesting a visa, as well as in the cases referred to in Paragraphs 5 and 6 of this Regulation;

11.7. a repatriate, if he or she has departed from the Republic of Latvia before 4 May 1990 or was born in a foreign country, or departed from Latvia after 4 May 1990 and at the time of departure was a minor, as well as his or her family member, if he or she enters in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Repatriation Law - for the examination of the documents necessary for requesting a visa, as well as in the cases referred to in Sub-paragraphs 5.8.1, 5.9.1, and 6.3.1 of this Regulation;

11.8. a child in the age of up to 16 years - in the cases referred to in Sub-paragraph 2.1, Sub-paragraphs 5.4.1, 5.9.1, 5.10.1 and 6.3.1 of this Regulation, except when, in accordance with Sub-paragraph 5.9.1, a child in the age of up to 16 years, who is a non-citizen of Latvia, requests the status of a permanent resident of the European Union in the Republic of Latvia;

11.9. a foreigner residing permanently in Valga who travels with a foreigner's passport of Estonia and is a family member of a citizen of Latvia or a non-citizen of Latvia residing permanently in Valka - in the cases referred to in Sub-paragraphs 5.3.1, 5.8.1, 6.1.1, 6.3.1 and Paragraph 7 of this Regulation;

11.10. a Latvian or a Liv, or a person at least one of whose parents is a citizen of Latvia, as well as his or her spouse and his or her minor children or minor children of his or her spouse - for the examination of documents necessary for requesting a visa;

11.11. a foreigner who has acquired the refugee status or alternative status in the Republic of Latvia - in the cases referred to in Sub-paragraphs 5.4, 5.10, 5.12 and 6.3 of this Regulation;

11.12. a foreigner who has been granted with temporary protection in the Republic of Latvia - in the cases referred to in Sub-paragraphs 5.1 and 5.12 of this Regulation;

11.13. a foreigner who has been granted with the status of a victim of human trafficking in accordance with the laws and regulations regarding the recognition of a person as a victim of human trafficking - in the cases referred to in Sub-paragraphs 5.1, 5.12 and 6.1 of this Regulation;

11.14. a State institution of direct administration of the Republic of Latvia, a local government council or a court - in the cases referred to in Paragraphs 3 and 7 of this Regulation;

11.15. a foreigner who provides help to State or local government authorities of the Republic of Latvia and his or her family member - in the cases referred to in Paragraph 2 and Sub-paragraphs 5.1.1 and 6.1.1 of this Regulation;

11.16. a foreigner who resides in the Republic of Latvia due to a scientific co-operation, his or her family member and inviter - in the cases referred to in Paragraphs 2 and 3, Sub-paragraphs 5.1.1 and 6.1.1, and Paragraph 7 of this Regulation;

11.17. an educatee of an accredited educational institution of the Republic of Latvia who arrives to study in the Republic of Latvia in accordance with an exchange programme and his or her inviter - in the cases referred to in Sub-paragraph 2.1 and Paragraph 3, Sub-paragraphs 5.3.1, 5.12, 6.1.1, and Paragraph 7 of this Regulation;

11.18. a teacher who works in the private educational institution "International School of Latvia" (the operation of the private educational institution "International School of Latvia" is ensured by the agreement of the government of the Republic of Latvia and the government of the United States of America), his or her family member and their inviter - in the cases referred to in Sub-paragraphs 5.1.1 and 6.1.1, and Paragraph 7 of this Regulation;

11.19. a teacher of an accredited educational institution of the Republic of Latvia, his or her family member and inviter - in the cases referred to in Paragraphs 2 and 3, Sub-paragraphs 5.1.1 and 6.1.1, and Paragraph 7 of this Regulation;

11.20. a foreigner who has joined a cloister - in the cases referred to in Sub-paragraphs 5.1.1 and 6.1.1, and Paragraph 7 of this Regulation;

11.21. an inviter of a foreigner - in the cases referred to in Sub-paragraphs 3.5 and 7.5 and Paragraph 9 of this Regulation, if he or she submits a request for the invitation or sponsorship, or the application for requesting additional employment rights, or clarification of the granted employment rights for a foreigner who will request a visa or a residence permit, or resides in the Republic of Latvia as follows:

11.21.1. a creative or performing artist, or an administrative or technical worker involved in ensuring performances (concerts), or as a manager of a cultural institution financed from the State budget or from a local government budget;

11.21.2. an assessor who assesses, accredits and monitors laboratories, certification and inspection institutions;

11.21.3. a pupil or a student who will arrive in the Republic of Latvia for training placement or traineeship at an accredited educational institution of the Republic of Latvia or a commercial company registered in the Commercial Register and the training or traineeship is related to employment legal relationships;

11.21.4. a consultant (expert) who provides assistance to a State or local government institution or a person who helps to implement an international agreement or project, a member state of which is the Republic of Latvia;

11.21.5. a person registered in the Commercial Register as a member of the board of directors or a member of the council, a proctor, an administrator, a liquidator or a member of a partnership having the right to represent the partnership, or a person who is authorised to represent a merchant (a foreign merchant) in activities related to a branch;

11.21.6. a sports coach;

11.21.7. a professional athlete by invitation of a sports club;

11.21.8. a person who will be employed in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the operation of special economic zones;

11.22. the inviter of a foreigner - in the cases referred to in Sub-paragraphs 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 of this Regulation, if he or she submits the request for an invitation or sponsorship for a foreigner who has received a visa or residence permit in the Republic of Latvia and wishes to receive additional employment rights;

11.23. a full-time student of an institution of higher education accredited in the Republic of Latvia who has been admitted for studies in a master's or doctoral programme or in a study programme at the end of which the student obtains a degree regarded as equal to a master's degree and his or her inviter - in the cases referred to in Sub-paragraph 2.1 and Paragraph 3, Sub-paragraphs 5.3.1 and 6.1.1, and Paragraph 7 of this Regulation.

[30 October 2018]

12. The reduced rate of the State fee for examination of documents necessary for requesting a uniform visa shall be EUR 35 and it shall be applied in individual cases in order to promote implementation of interests of culture, sports, external policy and development policy or to promote development of other fields important for public interests.

13. The decision to exempt from payment of the State fee in the case referred to in Sub-paragraph 11.2 of this Regulation, and the decision to apply the reduced rate of the State fee referred to in Paragraph 12 of this Regulation shall be taken by the Head of the Office, the Chief of the State Border Guard, the Director of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or authorised officials thereof.

14. Cabinet Regulation No. 1034 of 1 October 2013, Regulations Regarding the State Fee for the Examination of the Documents Necessary for Requesting a Visa, Residence Permit or the Status of a Permanent Resident of the European Union in the Republic of Latvia and the Services Related Thereto (Latvijas Vēstnesis, 2013, No. 200; 2014, No. 255; 2017, No. 84), is repealed.

15. This Regulation shall come into force on 1 January 2018.

Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis

Minister for the Interior Rihards Kozlovskis

Translation © 2019 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)