Is the NVA approval necessary in the EU Blue Card process?

In general, no. The applicants with high qualifications who are seeking an EU Blue Card are usually not directly bound by the vacancy registration and labor market test requirements, which simplifies the process as opposed to the usual TRP process.Nevertheless, the employer does file a sponsorship request with the OCMA.

Do I have a right to work with a particular employer in Latvia?

Yes. The right to work is confidential to employer and job and that in case you have the desire to change your job, you will have to undergo the sponsorship process again and apply to have a new TRP/work permit otherwise your legal right to stay may be canceled.

What is the lowest wage rate of sponsored workers?

In most cases, the employer is required to stabilize the minimum gross salary that he can pay to the third-country nationals at least at the industrial average gross salary or the national average gross salary, whichever is more.22 In any case, the minimum wage is checked and renewed after a year.

Latvia Work Visa Sponsorship Updates

In 2025, Latvia work visa sponsorship will be available and perfect, but you need to know three significant changes – around employer cooperation requirements, higher costs on migration services, and new security checks – will directly affect your application time and cost.

Greater Employer Compliance The New NVA Hurdle

Latvian government has also made more decisive conditions on employers who want to employ third-country nationals, and they will take effect on January 1, 2025.2 It is to promote transparency and focus more on the local and EU job seekers.

What Has Changed on Sponsoring Employers?

An invitation approved by the OCMA that is intended to allow a foreign worker will have to be approved by the employer who should obtain an opinion of the State Employment Agency (NVA) before the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA/PMLP) approves them.

Mandatory Justification: It has become obligatory that employers justify the number of vacancies that are being registered and give clear reasons why they are being created.
Active Cooperation: The employers have to actively collaborate with the NVA, including evaluating the candidates suggested by the agency based on the local labor market database.
Rejection Rationale: First of all, most importantly is the fact that now employers have to give reasons whether they are rejecting the individuals that NVA proposes, within 10 days.
Effects on Applicants: This makes the administration of your employer work harder; it will also make the vacancy worthwhile. Also you should ensure that your employer is willing to comply to these new employer cooperation provisions carefully before you submit your sponsorship request.

New Fee Structure Increased Fee on Migration Services

Latvia has effective Jan. 1, 2025, considerably changed its state fees on migration services. These higher costs need to be included in the financial planning of the applicants and sponsors.

Security first The new electronic travel declaration

Another significant, non-visa based amendment will take effect on September 1, 2025, reinforcing the national security screening of the third-country nationals entering Latvia.

Electronic Travel Declaration (eta.gov.lv): The nationals of third countries that do not carry a visa or residence permit issued in Latvia (or are not the citizens of the NATO, OECD, and EU/EEA countries) are required to fill in an Electronic Travel Declaration form no less than 48 hours prior to entering Latvia.
Data that is needed: The form will require certain information such as the reason of travelling, route, the address of accommodation and any high profile jobs of the traveler or his/her family members.
Administrative Liability: The consequences of not filing this information or giving false information can be administrative liability such as denial of entry or fines.

This is a new measure required by the amendments to the Immigration Law amendments (Section 4.⁴) aimed at identifying and averting possible national security threats at the border.13 Although you may have an approved invitation, but not yet a visa/TRP, you must do so.

Your Action Plan

Check with Employer Preparedness: Check with your nominating employer to see if they are familiar with the requirements of the new NVA, such as the compelling reasons of refusing applicants.
Budget Precisely: In your relocation budget, account the added immigration cost and consular service cost.
Prepare yourself to travel: In case you leave Latvia after September 1, 2025, and do not possess a Latvian residence permit yet, fill in the Electronic Travel Declaration at least 48 hours before the departure.

FAQs

Is the NVA approval necessary in the EU Blue Card process?
In general, no. The applicants with high qualifications who are seeking an EU Blue Card are usually not directly bound by the vacancy registration and labor market test requirements, which simplifies the process as opposed to the usual TRP process.Nevertheless, the employer does file a sponsorship request with the OCMA.
Do I have a right to work with a particular employer in Latvia?
Yes. The right to work is confidential to employer and job and that in case you have the desire to change your job, you will have to undergo the sponsorship process again and apply to have a new TRP/work permit otherwise your legal right to stay may be canceled.
What is the lowest wage rate of sponsored workers?
In most cases, the employer is required to stabilize the minimum gross salary that he can pay to the third-country nationals at least at the industrial average gross salary or the national average gross salary, whichever is more.22 In any case, the minimum wage is checked and renewed after a year.

Final Thoughts

The work visa sponsorship of Latvia in 2025 is expected to be more harsh on the employers and costly to the applicants. Nevertheless, there is no change in the main trail that has to be taken; getting a job, employer sponsorship (invitation/summons), and a Long-stay Visa D or Temporary Residence Permit.

Disclaimer

The information on this job is disseminated to inform and educate. Before making or committing financial decisions, please check with the official government websites of Latvia, that is to say, the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) and the State Employment Agency (NVA).