How does Self-Employment / Individual Merchant Permit work in Latvia, and who qualifies?

This route is for non-EU nationals who will operate their own business or sole-trader activity in Latvia. You must be registered as a self-employed person or individual merchant in Latvia's Commercial Register, and you need a business plan that has been reviewed and approved by a sworn auditor for the planned operating period.

The financial bar is meaningful: you must show sufficient personal financial means and meet the higher means-of-subsistence level that applies to this route, along with any business licence required for your activity, a valid passport, and a criminal-record statement. It is a different route from the Startup Visa — the Startup Visa is for innovative, scalable products, whereas this permit suits conventional own-business and sole-trader activity.

The means-of-subsistence levels and conditions are set in regulation and can change, so confirm the current figures on pmlp.gov.lv before applying. ACME can help you decide between the self-employment permit and the Startup Visa and prepare the auditor-reviewed plan and financial evidence.