and 67 more
- oecd.org
- usa.mfa.gov.lv
- fbi.gov
- vfsglobal.com
- mfa.gov.lv
- irs.gov
- irs.gov
- uk.mfa.gov.lv
- pmlp.gov.lv
- pmlp.gov.lv
- pmlp.gov.lv
- pmlp.gov.lv
- pmlp.gov.lv
- pmlp.gov.lv
- vizucelvedis.pmlp.gov.lv
- mfa.gov.lv
- mfa.gov.lv
- mfa.gov.lv
- mfa.gov.lv
- www2.mfa.gov.lv
- www2.mfa.gov.lv
- www2.mfa.gov.lv
- likumi.lv
- likumi.lv
- vfsglobal.com
- hcch.net
- rsj.shenyang.gov.cn
- mohrss.gov.cn
- cs.mfa.gov.cn
- cs.mfa.gov.cn
- lv.china-embassy.gov.cn
- home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
- home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
- safe.gov.cn
- pmlp.gov.lv
- epak.pmlp.gov.lv
- mfa.gov.lv
- mfa.gov.lv
- www2.mfa.gov.lv
- oecd.org
- one.oecd.org
- oecd.org
- gov.br
- fm.gov.lv
- gov.br
- vsaa.gov.lv
- hcch.net
- atos.cnj.jus.br
- gov.br
- travel.state.gov
- dhs.gov
- eur-lex.europa.eu
- gov.br
- www2.mfa.gov.lv
- www2.mfa.gov.lv
- www2.mfa.gov.lv
- www2.mfa.gov.lv
- www2.mfa.gov.lv
- www2.mfa.gov.lv
- www2.mfa.gov.lv
- likumi.lv
- likumi.lv
- vfsglobal.com
- visa.vfsglobal.com
- visa.helloverify.com
- mea.gov.in
- passportindia.gov.in
Digital Nomad Visa (Long-Stay)
Official nomad visaWhat this visa gets you
Visa
Entry document
Temporary residency
1 year initially, up to 2 years total
Permanent residency
Not via this programme
Citizenship
Not via this programme
- Income requirement
- EUR 4,213 per month (gross)
- Application fee
- €60
- Family allowed
- No
How do Chinese citizens apply for the Latvia Digital Nomad Visa?
Can Chinese citizens apply from inside Latvia?
It depends: we haven't verified this for Latvia yet.
Some European permits allow in-country application, and if you already hold legal residence in Latvia on another permit the rules can differ from a fresh consular application. The "fly in on a tourist stamp and convert" route, by contrast, usually does not work. Confirm your case with the official Latvia source before relying on it.
How long does the Latvia Digital Nomad Visa really take for Chinese citizens?
14–18 weeks (≈ 3–4 months)
- Police clearance (typical)3w
- Apostille (verified)1w
- Consular appointment (typical)4w
- Processing 8–12w (typical)8w
- Post-arrival registration (typical)2w
Typical processing: 8–12 weeks. The rest is doc gathering + waiting in a queue, none of which the consulate counts.
Avoid these
What do people get wrong about the Latvia Digital Nomad Visa?
- Assuming you can convert a tourist stay. For most European residence visas you can't fly in on a tourist stamp and convert it from inside the country. You apply before you travel. A few permits and people who already hold legal residence on another permit are exceptions, so confirm Latvia's rule rather than assuming either way.
- Underestimating timing by a factor of 2–3. The "60-day processing" line is real, but it's only the consulate's processing window. The door-to-door reality includes police clearance, apostille, consular appointment lead, and post-arrival registration, so most applicants land between 4 and 7 months.
- Income proof in the wrong currency. Bank statements showing income in your local currency are routinely rejected if the equivalent in EUR isn't clearly stated and consistent across the qualifying period (usually 3 or 6 months).
Documents
What Chinese applicants typically submit
Indicative: we haven't verified Latvia's exact checklist for Chinese applicants. Confirm the current list with the official source before you start gathering.
Documents needing an apostille (Chinese authorities):
- Notarial Certificate of No Criminal Record (公证书)
- Birth certificate (notarial certificate)
Worth knowing: China joined the Apostille Convention on 7 November 2023, so consular legalisation is no longer needed. The apostille attaches to a notarial certificate from a 公证处, not to the raw police record, and the MFA or an authorised provincial FAO can only apostille documents issued in its own region. Most consulates route applications through VFS or BLS rather than a counter.
Tax
How is Digital Nomad Visa income taxed for Chinese citizens?
A confirmed special regime exists: under amendments to the Personal Income Tax law adopted on 28 June 2023 (in force retroactively from 1 January 2023), an OECD-state citizen or resident holding the Latvian digital nomad visa may elect a flat 15 percent PIT rate on Latvia-taxable income, available within 365 days of becoming a Latvian tax resident, instead of the standard progressive rates of up to 31 percent. Electing the 15 percent rate forfeits deductions and the non-taxable minimum/allowances. Otherwise standard residency rules apply: spending 183 or more days in Latvia within a 12-month period makes the holder a Latvian tax resident, taxed on worldwide income; under 183 days means non-resident status, taxed only on Latvia-sourced income.
Money, roughly (sourced)
Regime: DNV OECD-citizen 15% flat PIT (first 365 days), about 15% effective tax on €60k/yr.
DNV holders who are OECD citizens get a 15% flat PIT for income earned within 365 days of becoming Latvian tax resident, with NO personal allowance and NO standard deductions; thereafter ordinary progressive rates apply (25.5% up to EUR 105,300, 33% above, plus a 3% solidarity surcharge over EUR 200,000). The reduced rate requires registering with the State Revenue Service and respecting double-tax-treaty residency rules. Residency generally triggered at >183 days.
Capital gains: 25.5%. Capital gains on disposal of capital assets (real estate, shares, funds, IP, crypto) are taxed at a flat 25.5%. Primary-residence (held 60+ months) and reinvestment exemptions exist for real estate.
Living comfortably to well in Riga runs about €1,500–€2,100/mo for one person, incl. rent. Roughly 10% more than the same living in Shanghai, which runs about ¥10,550/mo (≈ €1,365).
Estimate your take-home in the tax calculator →Worth a specialist's time. A short call before you commit usually pays for itself, especially for US citizens (FEIE/FATCA), existing UK ties, or unwinding SA tax residency.
Recommended for your move
- SafetyWingFlexible monthly cover
Health insurance built for nomads. Monthly subscription.
Get a quote - GenkiEU-regulated, long-term
EU-regulated health insurance for nomads and expats; long-term and resident cover.
See plans - WiseGetting paid abroad
Multi-currency account and low-cost transfers at the mid-market rate.
Open an account - RevolutEveryday spending
Multi-currency card with budgeting and fee-free transfers.
Open an account
FAQ
Latvia Digital Nomad Visa: common questions
Can Chinese citizens get the Latvia Digital Nomad Visa?
Yes. The Digital Nomad Visa is open to Chinese passport holders as non-EU nationals. The main requirement is proof of income of at least €4,213 per month.
Can I apply for the Latvia Digital Nomad Visa from inside Latvia?
It depends. Some European nomad permits let you apply from inside the country (especially if you already hold legal residence on another permit), while others require you to apply at a Latvia consulate before you travel. We haven't verified Latvia's rule for Chinese applicants yet, so confirm it with the official Latvia source before relying on it.
Do I need an apostille for the Latvia Digital Nomad Visa?
Most European permits require documents issued in China (such as a police clearance) to be apostilled, but the exact list varies by country and permit. We haven't verified Latvia's requirement for Chinese documents, so confirm it with the consulate or official source.
How much does the Latvia Digital Nomad Visa cost?
The government application fee is about €60. Budget separately for police clearance, apostille (if required), translations, and required health insurance.
Can I bring my family on the Latvia Digital Nomad Visa?
This route does not provide for family members to be sponsored on the same application. Family reunification would follow a separate procedure.
What's next
Keep going
See Latvia side-by-side with similar programmes.
Every country ranked by what's left after tax and living costs.
Different answers may surface a programme you didn't consider.
Every dated change we've logged for Latvia: income thresholds, fees, consular policy.
Expatlas provides information for orientation only and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with official government sources and consult an immigration lawyer for your specific case.