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 South African citizens apply for the Latvia Digital Nomad Visa?
Can South African citizens apply from inside Latvia?
Generally no: most applicants apply from outside Latvia before they travel.
The "fly in on a tourist stamp and convert" route is a widespread misconception and does not work for this visa. If you already hold legal residence in Latvia on another permit, different rules may apply, so confirm with the authorities.
How long does the Latvia Digital Nomad Visa really take for South African citizens?
27–35 weeks (≈ 6–8 months)
- Police clearance (typical)7w
- Apostille (typical)6w
- Consular appointment (typical)4w
- Processing 12–20w (typical)12w
- Post-arrival registration (typical)2w
Typical processing: 12–20 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?
- The tourist-stamp convert myth. Flying to Latvia on a tourist stamp and converting it into the residence visa from inside the country is not possible for Digital Nomad Visa. Almost every application story that goes badly starts with this misconception.
- 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.
- Skipping or mis-formatting the apostille. Apostille is the single most cited rejection reason. Every supporting document from your home country needs an apostille from the right authority, and they expire. Don't apostille more than 4 months before submission.
Documents
What South African applicants typically submit
Documents needing an apostille (South African authorities):
- Police clearance certificate (SAPS criminal record)
Worth knowing: South African nationals are eligible for Latvia's long-stay (national D) remote work visa provided they work remotely for an OECD-registered employer or are self-employed in an OECD country. As a Schengen state, Latvia requires South African passport holders to obtain the visa before travel; the visa is applied for outside Latvia. Latvia has no visa-issuing embassy in South Africa, and per the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs the Embassy of Hungary in Pretoria issues visas on behalf of Latvia for applicants in South Africa.
Tax
How is Digital Nomad Visa income taxed for South African 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 (indicative)
Regime: Progressive — 20 / 23 / 31%, about 53% effective tax on €60k/yr.
Open only to remote workers for an OECD-based employer/clients. Tax-resident after 183 days. Self-employed social runs ~31% on a chosen base no lower than the minimum wage (the real share falls as income rises); nil under a totalisation agreement.
Living comfortably to well in Riga runs about €1,500–€2,100/mo for one person, incl. rent. Roughly 17% less than the same living in Cape Town, which runs about R34,000/mo (≈ €1,800).
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 South African citizens get the Latvia Digital Nomad Visa?
Yes. The Digital Nomad Visa is open to South African 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?
Generally no. South African applicants normally apply at the Latvia consulate responsible for their region before travelling. Note this is about converting a short tourist stay; if you already hold legal residence in Latvia on another permit, different rules may apply, so confirm with the authorities.
Do I need an apostille for the Latvia Digital Nomad Visa?
Yes. Supporting documents issued in South Africa (such as your police clearance) must be apostilled by the competent South Africa authority before submission. Apostilles can expire, so don't obtain them more than a few months ahead of applying.
How much does the Latvia Digital Nomad Visa cost?
The government application fee is about €60. The consular fee paid in South Africa is approximately 90 EUR. 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.