Stop Living in Two Countries: How to Bring Your Spouse and Children to Latvia with a Residence Permit
Stop Living in Two Countries: How to Bring Your Spouse and Children to Latvia with a Residence Permit
Work, business or investment may have brought you to Latvia while your spouse, children or other close relatives are still living in another country. For many families, this is the hardest part of relocation. Latvian immigration rules provide several routes that can allow family members to obtain legal residence and live together again.
Latvia’s new Immigration Law enters into force on 15 September 2026. It reorganises the rules and residence periods for family members and, in many common cases, allows the spouse and minor children of a principal applicant to request a temporary residence permit for the period of the principal applicant’s permit.
Family reunification is not automatic, however. The validity period, documents, financial requirements and the spouse’s right to work depend on the status and residence grounds of the person already living in Latvia. The safest approach is therefore to review the family’s specific situation first and prepare the documents only after the correct legal route has been confirmed.
The key idea: one person’s residence status can open a route for the whole family
If a foreign national holds a temporary residence permit in Latvia through employment, an EU Blue Card, business, investment or another eligible ground, their spouse and minor children can in many cases join them as family members. Under the new law, the family member’s permit is generally linked to the validity period of the principal applicant’s permit.
This matters for families planning a real move rather than a short visit: parents can build their careers and daily lives in Latvia, children can live with them, and the family can maintain a clear and coordinated immigration status.
Who may qualify on family grounds
· The spouse of a foreign national legally residing in Latvia under an eligible residence ground. In many common cases the spouse can request a permit for the validity period of the principal applicant’s permit.
· Minor children of the principal applicant or their spouse. Documents proving the family relationship are required and, where applicable, the consent of the other parent must be properly arranged.
· The spouse of a Latvian citizen, Latvian non-citizen or a foreign national holding permanent residence in Latvia. The new law provides for a temporary residence permit of up to two years, provided the spouses live together and maintain a common household.
· A minor child of a Latvian citizen, Latvian non-citizen or a foreign national holding permanent residence. The new law allows a temporary residence permit of up to six years.
· A parent of a Latvian citizen or non-citizen who has reached the statutory retirement age may, in specific circumstances, have a separate ground for a temporary permit of up to two years.
More distant relatives do not automatically receive the same treatment as a spouse or minor child. Certain relatives may have a separate route allowing residence for up to six months in a calendar year. Every family relationship therefore needs to be assessed under the correct legal provision.
Can the spouse work in Latvia?
This is one of the most important practical questions. The new Immigration Law provides unrestricted employment rights for a family member of a foreign national where the principal applicant has the relevant employment or business rights. The exact regime still depends on the principal applicant’s residence ground, so work rights should be confirmed before the application is filed.
Families of EU Blue Card holders benefit from an especially convenient procedure: a family member’s application is normally reviewed within 10 working days after the complete application has been accepted. For a standard temporary residence permit, the general review period under the new law is 30 days unless additional checks or documents are required.
Documents commonly required
The final list depends on the sponsor’s status, the applicants’ nationality and the country in which the civil-status documents were issued. The package commonly includes:
· valid passports for family members;
· marriage, birth or other documents proving the family relationship;
· proof of sufficient financial resources;
· proof of accommodation in Latvia;
· a criminal-record certificate where required;
· for a child, the other parent’s consent where applicable;
· application forms and documents for the invitation or other required procedure;
· proof of payment of the state fee.
From 1 April 2026, the OCMA publishes a general subsistence benchmark of EUR 780 per month for an adult and EUR 234 for a minor child in cases where no special higher amount applies. Some residence grounds use different calculations, so the financial requirement should always be checked for the specific family before filing.
Why family documents often cause delays
The main difficulty is rarely the application form itself. Problems usually arise earlier: a foreign marriage certificate is not in the required form, an apostille or legalisation is needed, names are spelled differently across documents, the other parent’s consent is missing, or it is unclear who must prove income or accommodation.
Even a small discrepancy can trigger a request for additional documents and delay the family’s move. A professional pre-filing review often saves considerably more time than trying to fix the package after the procedure has started.
How NBC.LV supports family residence applications
1. We review the family’s circumstances and identify the correct residence ground.
2. We check the potential permit validity for each family member and the spouse’s work rights.
3. We prepare a personalised document checklist and review marriage, birth and kinship documents.
4. We check translation, apostille and legalisation requirements for foreign documents.
5. We help structure proof of sufficient funds and accommodation correctly.
6. We prepare applications, questionnaires and the legal part of the package, including invitation documents where required.
7. We support the filing process and communication with the immigration authority until a decision is made.
8. After a positive decision, we advise on biometrics and obtaining the residence permit card.
9. We can also assist with renewals and future changes in the family or immigration situation.
Five mistakes worth avoiding
· Booking the move before confirming the legal ground and the document package.
· Assuming that the principal applicant’s residence permit automatically gives the whole family residence rights.
· Using outdated financial thresholds or processing timelines.
· Failing to check in advance whether the other parent’s consent is required for a child.
· Assuming that every relative has the same rights as a spouse or minor child.
Frequently asked questions
Can the family apply at the same time as the principal applicant?
In many cases, yes. It depends on the residence ground and the applicable procedure. Coordinated filing can reduce the time during which the family has to live in different countries.
If I have a temporary residence permit, can my spouse receive a permit for the same period?
Under many grounds in the new Immigration Law, a family member may request a temporary permit for the validity period of the principal applicant’s permit. There are exceptions, so the ground should be checked before filing.
Can a child obtain a residence permit if the other parent is not moving to Latvia?
Yes, but depending on the circumstances, properly executed consent from the other parent or evidence showing why such consent is not required may be necessary.
Can the spouse work after receiving a family residence permit?
In many common scenarios, yes, particularly where the principal applicant has the relevant employment or business rights. The exact employment regime must be confirmed for the specific residence ground.
Can parents be brought to Latvia?
Parents are subject to separate legal grounds and conditions. For example, the new law provides a temporary permit of up to two years for a parent of a Latvian citizen or non-citizen who has reached the statutory retirement age.
Do not let paperwork keep your family apart
Moving to another country already involves dozens of decisions. Your family’s immigration paperwork should not become a second full-time job. NBC.LV can review your case, identify the correct route, prepare the documents and guide your family through the process until the residence permit cards are obtained.
If you already hold a Latvian residence permit, or you are planning to apply and want your spouse and children to relocate with you, contact NBC.LV before starting the filing process. The earlier we review the family situation, the easier it is to build one coordinated relocation plan.