Latvia is a beautiful Baltic country in Northern Europe, part of the EU and Schengen Area. It is gaining popularity among Indian students for its affordable, high-quality English-taught programs, EU-recognized degrees, and easy entry into Europe. Known for its historic capital Riga, vibrant culture, and modern education system, Latvia offers strong programs in IT, engineering, business, medicine, and social sciences. For Indian students, it provides low tuition, high student visa approval rates (around 90% with complete documents), no mandatory IELTS at many universities, part-time work rights, and Schengen mobility. It serves as a cost-effective gateway to European education and career opportunities in a safe, student-friendly environment.
| Capital: | Riga |
| Language: | Latvian |
| Currency: | Euro (€) |
| Popular Cities: | Riga, Daugavpils, Liepāja, Jelgava |
| Population: | Approximately 1.85–1.9 million |
| Indian Population: | Around 3,000+ people of indian origin |
Student Visa
Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Dependent Visa
Latvia is emerging as a smart, budget-friendly European study destination for Indian students. Key advantages include:
Tuition fees for non-EU students in English-taught programs typically range from €2,000 to €8,000 per year (average €2,500–€6,000 for most Bachelor’s and Master’s).
Some programs start as low as €1,500–€3,000. Scholarships (state and university) and no-IELTS options make it even more accessible. Always check specific programs on studyinlatvia.lv or university websites.
Tuition fee depends on the chosen institution and the study programme. The range is from 80, 000 INR per year to 8,00, 000 INR per year (e.g. Dental Surgeon’s degree programme). The precise tuition fees at HEI in Latvia can be found on State Education Development Agency offers scholarships to foreign students. Read more on Average monthly living expenses in Latvia are estimated to be between 36, 000 INR and 56, 000 INR, depending on the type of accommodation (student dorm or privately rented housing/flat). These amounts should be enough to cover food, accommodation, see the detailed list of expense go to Non-EU nationals need a visa to enter Latvia. If students from outside EU come for a longer period than 90 days, they must apply for a residence permit in a Latvian embassy abroad. Please consult the Latvian embassy in your country to learn what procedures you should undergo and what documents you need to submit.
Breakdown (approximate):
For the student residence permit, you need to prove sufficient financial means. As of 2026, this is typically around €9,400 per year for living expenses (approx. €780–€940 per month, aligned with minimum wage updates), plus tuition for the first year if not prepaid.
Proof can be via bank statements, sponsor documents, or scholarship confirmation. Requirements are handled during the university-assisted application process. Always verify the latest with the university or Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs
International students can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic term (full-time during holidays).
After graduation, you can apply for a temporary residence permit extension to search for a job or start a business. The duration is typically up to 9–12 months varies by level of study: e.g., 4 months base for Bachelor’s, extendable; up to 9–13 months for Master’s/PhD in some cases. You can work full-time during this period. Once employed, you can switch to a work-based residence permit.
Permanent residency generally requires 5 years of continuous legal residence on a temporary residence permit. Study time may count only partially
After PR, citizenship is possible after further years with language/integration requirements. Always check official sources like pmlp.gov.lv for updates, as study-to-PR pathways benefit from subsequent employment.
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