20 High-Demand Jobs in Latvia That Could Help Foreigners Obtain a Work Visa
Key Takeaways
1. In 2023, Latvia reported 24,300 job vacancies across various industries.
2. The most in-demand jobs in Latvia are in construction, engineering, repair and maintenance services, transportation, and healthcare.
3. Latvia is considered one of the EU's most accessible countries for obtaining a work visa.
Latvia is experiencing labor shortages in 37 occupations, according to the 2023 EURES report on shortages and surpluses. Sectors such as construction, engineering, repair and maintenance services, transportation, and healthcare are particularly affected.
Additionally, a report by the UN Economic Commission for Europe on the implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA/RIS) in Latvia highlights a decreasing overall population and an increasing number of elderly residents. This trend suggests that Latvia may need foreign workers to alleviate these labor shortages.
The latest EURES report identifies several roles struggling with a worker shortage in Latvia, including:
- Building construction laborers
- Civil engineering laborers
- Mining and quarrying laborers
- Fishery and aquaculture laborers
- Crop farm laborers
- Heavy truck and lorry drivers
- Electrical line installers and repairers
- Building and related electricians
- Aircraft engine mechanics and repairers
- Structural metal preparers and erectors
- Welders and flame cutters
- Painters and related workers
- Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics
- Plumbers and pipe fitters
- Insulation workers
- Plasterers
- Floor layers and tile setters
- Concrete placers, concrete finishers, and related workers
- Stonemasons, stone cutters, splitters, and carvers
- Bricklayers and related workers
On the flip side, Latvia reported 45 surplus occupations, making it one of the three EURES countries with more surplus than shortage occupations.
Most Job Vacancies in 2023 Were in Public Administration
According to Latvia’s Central Statistical Bureau, 24,300 job vacancies were registered in 2023, marking a 6.1 percent decrease from the previous year. However, significant labor shortages remain in specific sectors.
Regarding economic activity, the majority of job vacancies in 2023 were related to public administration (8.4 percent), administrative and support service activities (4 percent), mining and quarrying (3.3 percent), construction (2.9 percent), transportation and storage (2.9 percent), and health and social care (2.6 percent).
Who Needs a Visa to Work in Latvia?
EU/EEA citizens don’t need a visa to work in Latvia, but they must register their stay and residence at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. Non-EU/EEA citizens must obtain one of four types of work visas in Latvia, along with a work permit from a Latvian employer and a Latvian temporary residence permit.
For those considering applying for a Latvian work visa, Latvia is among the easiest EU countries to obtain a work visa, according to VisaGuide.World.