Working in Latvia from Ghana: Visa, Permit, Costs (2026)

Is Latvia the right choice for Ghanaian workers?

Latvia is a Baltic nation in Northern Europe with a growing demand for skilled trade workers. However, moving to Latvia from Ghana for work requires following a strict legal process. It is not as fast or high-volume as moving to countries like Poland or Romania, which issue significantly more work permits to West African citizens every year. If your goal is to travel quickly, Poland or Romania might offer more openings and faster document turnaround.

Despite the smaller quota, Latvia remains a valid destination if you have a real skill and a clear contract with a Latvian business. If a registered company in Riga or another Latvian city is willing to sponsor your work permit through the government, the legal pathway is straightforward. You must simply follow every step carefully from Ghana without using fraudulent shortcuts.

The Latvia work permit and Type D visa route

The permit process always starts in Latvia, not in Ghana. You cannot apply for a work visa on your own without an employer who sponsors you first.

First, your employer in Latvia must register the job vacancy with the State Employment Agency (NVA - Nodarbinātības valsts aģentūra). If no local or European Union worker fills the role after the required advertising period, the employer submits a sponsorship request to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP - Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvalde).

When PMLP approves the request, they generate an official sponsorship invitation number (ielūgums). Once your employer sends you this approved invitation number and your signed employment contract, you can apply for your Long-stay visa (Type D visa / D vīza). You must submit your application through the nearest visa application centre serving Ghana, such as the VFS Global centre in Accra, or the designated diplomatic mission handling Latvian visa processing for West Africa.

Required documents and legalisation in Ghana

To apply for your Type D work visa, you must prepare a complete file of personal and professional documents. Gathering these documents in Ghana takes time, so you should start early.

• Signed employment contract: A formal contract from your Latvian employer showing your job title, working hours, monthly basic salary, and workplace location.
• Valid passport: Your Ghanaian passport must have at least two blank pages and remain valid for at least three months past your intended stay in Latvia.
• PMLP invitation approval: The official invitation registration number issued by PMLP in Latvia.
• Ghanaian police clearance certificate: An official criminal record check issued by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service Headquarters in Accra.
• Proof of trade qualifications: Certificates, vocational test results, or official work reference letters proving you have experience in your trade (such as welding, heavy vehicle driving, or construction).
• Travel health insurance: A valid insurance policy covering emergency medical treatment and repatriation across the Schengen area for your initial travel period.
• Biometric data: Your digital fingerprints and passport photograph taken at your visa appointment.

Public documents issued in Ghana, including your Police Clearance Certificate and vocational qualification documents, must be authenticated. You must take your original documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in Accra for legalisation or apostille certification so that Latvian migration authorities accept them as legal records.

Expected costs in Ghana Cedi and Euros

Official visa processing fees are set directly by the government of Latvia. The official state fee for a Long-stay Type D visa is set by Latvia and is approximately €60 to €120, depending on processing speed and specific entry rules. Always confirm the exact current fee with the official visa application portal before paying.

Visa processing times usually range from approximately 15 to 30 working days after your full file is submitted, though additional background checks can extend this timeline.

In addition to official visa fees, you must budget for real expenses on the Ghana side. These costs are rough ranges and can change:

• Ghana police clearance certificate: Approximately GHS 500 to GHS 1,000 (€35 to €70).
• Medical fitness examination: Approximately GHS 1,000 to GHS 2,000 (€70 to €140).
• Ministry document legalisation: Approximately GHS 500 to GHS 1,500 (€35 to €100).
• Travel health insurance: Approximately GHS 1,500 to GHS 3,000 (€100 to €200).
• Flight ticket from Accra to Riga: Approximately GHS 10,000 to GHS 18,000 (€700 to €1,200).

Placement fees and scam warnings

Under European Union rules and international labor standards, employers and recruitment agencies are not allowed to charge workers a fee for securing a job. The employer in Latvia carries the administrative costs of registering the vacancy and securing the PMLP invitation.

You must check the exact recruitment rules for Latvia before paying anyone for a job offer. Be extremely careful of illegal agents in Ghana or online who ask for thousands of Cedis via Mobile Money (MoMo) promising guaranteed job offers or visas. These processing fee schemes are almost always scams targeting trade workers. Never transfer money for a job offer, and always demand to verify the company name in the Latvian official register before taking any action.

In-demand trades in Latvia right now

Latvian companies hire foreign trade workers mainly in sectors experiencing local labor shortages:

• International truck drivers: Transport firms in Latvia frequently sponsor experienced heavy-goods vehicle (HGV) drivers who hold valid driving licenses and digital tachograph cards.
• Construction specialists: Building contractors routinely hire qualified welders, bricklayers, carpenters, and concrete workers for commercial and civil projects.
• Warehouse and logistics staff: Distribution hubs hire workers to manage inventory, run forklifts, and pack goods for transport across Europe.

Myths vs facts

• Myth: You can enter Latvia as a visitor and convert to a work permit after finding a job in Riga.
  Fact: You cannot legally start work on a tourist visa. Working without a PMLP work permit and a Type D visa leads to arrest, deportation, and a multi-year ban from entering the Schengen area.
• Myth: An agent in Accra can guarantee you a visa approval if you pay a high deposit.
  Fact: No agency or agent controls the Latvian embassy or PMLP. Only official Latvian migration officers decide visa approvals based on your paperwork.
• Myth: You do not need formal trade certificates if you have worked in Ghana for many years.
  Fact: PMLP requires verified proof of trade experience or certifications to confirm you meet European industry standards before approving an invitation.
• Myth: Latvian employers deduct recruitment costs directly from your monthly worker wage.
  Fact: Deducting recruitment fees from your standard salary is illegal under European labor regulations.

Before you sign

Before you sign a contract or transfer money for official document checks, review this safety checklist:

• Verify that the company name on your contract matches the PMLP invitation approval details exactly.
• Confirm that your basic monthly wage, working hours, and overtime rates are written clearly in Euros.
• Check whether the contract states who pays for your accommodation in Latvia or if rent is deducted from your wage.
• Ensure your job title matches your actual trade qualifications and work experience documents.
• Confirm that no agent is asking you to sign a side contract demanding payments for job placement.

Build your Workuro profile today

If you want European employers to find you legally, build your worker profile on Workuro today. Make sure you list your trade skills, your current Ghanaian passport details, your practical work history, and your English language ability clearly. Registering your actual qualifications makes it easy for verified employers in Latvia and across Europe to contact you directly for real jobs.

Workuro is free for workers - employers pay to search the register, and nobody may charge you for a job.