International students

All RGSL programmes lead to a recognised and competitive law degree. Upon successful graduation of studies, RGSL graduates are awarded the following degrees:
-    Bachelor of social science in law (LL.B.)
-    Master of social science in law (LL.M.)

Regular admission
In order to apply for studies, all applicants must complete an online application form and attach the required documents. The online application form can be found here: https://apply.rgsl.edu.lv/

You can read more about the application process and the specific requirements of each programme here.

The admission deadline for the academic year 2025/2026 is 21 July 2025.

The admission deadline for non-EU countries' applicants is 30 April 2025, however, citizens from countries that have a visa waiver agreement with Latvia may apply within the general admission timeframe.The list of countries that have a visa-free entry regime to Latvia you can see here.

Early admission 
Prospective students can apply early and receive a 10% study fee waiver for the first year of studies. The early admission deadline for the academic year 2025/2026 is 14 April 2025. 

Admission processing fee
We require a 100 EUR processing fee to process study applications from students outside the European Union, European Economic Area, and Swiss Confederation.

The processing fee invoice is automatically generated once you have started the online application process. 

For transfer students
RGSL welcomes students from other universities. Admission and recognition of the course work already performed at other universities will be done on an individual basis, so as to facilitate the transition into the RGSL programmes. Students may transfer to RGSL from other universities, also during the academic year.

The Study department will be able to assist you with the transfer process:
- Bachelor programmes – Monika Jansone monika.jansone@rgsl.edu.lv
- Masters programmes – Daina Račinska daina.racinska@rgsl.edu.lv

Legalisation of education documents or authentication with an Apostille for non-EU/EEA countries 

Educational documents (such as diplomas and transcript of records) issued in countries other than the European Union, European Economic Area, Swiss Confederation and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (except overseas territories), must be legalized or authenticated with an apostille. Please, visit the homepage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia in order to obtain the latest information on the legalisation requirements for foreign public documents intended for use in Latvia.

Please note that if the educational documents are not in English, the diploma and diploma supplement must be translated into English, with the accuracy of the translations certified by a licensed translator.

Recognition by the Latvian Academic Information Centre 

If the diploma or degree is obtained outside the Baltic States, academic recognition has to be conducted by the Latvian Academic Information Centre (AIC). Please note that this process may require up to one month to be completed.

RGSL does not have its own dormitory; however, accommodation can be arranged at dormitories of other institutions. Depending on the institution and the number of inhabitants in a room, the costs can vary between 100 EUR to 250 EUR per month. In many cases international students prefer to rent apartments together in groups of two or three

Rough estimated cost in Riga: housing: 150–450 EUR per month; living expenses: 350-500 EUR per month. RGSL is able to assist you with more detailed information on housing options in Riga and put you in contact with other students from your country. For this, please contact the Study department.

The information provided below is of a general nature. We suggest students to consult a Latvian diplomatic mission for detailed information pertaining to their particular cases.

The legal requirements for studying in Latvia
In order to study in Latvia, all international students must obtain a temporary residence permit. Detailed information on temporary residence permits can be found at the homepage of the Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

Application process for the temporary residence permit

If you are a citizen of a country that has a visa-free regime with Latvia, you can enter Latvia without a visa and stay up to 90 days. Apply for the temporary residence permit at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs in Latvia. The list of countries with visa-free entry regime with Latvia can be found here.

If you are a citizen of a country that does not have a visa-free regime with Latvia, you must obtain the temporary residence permit prior your arrival to Latvia by applying via a Latvian diplomatic mission. If there is no Latvian diplomatic mission in the student’s country of residence, the documents must be submitted at the diplomatic mission of a country which is competent to deal with Latvian consular issues. The list of diplomatic missions is available here.

Key steps for obtaining the temporary residence permit

I Student signs the RGSL study agreement and pays tuition fee for the first semester of studies.

II After receiving the installment, RGSL submits an invitation for the student at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

III The invitation is approved within four working days. Subsequently, the student can submit the following documents to the Latvian diplomatic mission located in their country of residence (the list below is comprehensive and may not fully apply to your specific situation):

• a definite sample form for a residence permit request;
• a photograph;
• a document confirming the necessary subsistence (as of 2025 for students, a minimum of 740 EUR per month is required, covering the duration of twelve months, however, this amount is linked to the minimum wage in Latvia and is therefore a subject to regular adjustments). Confirmation document is issued by the bank stating the balance of the bank account;
• a document confirming the envisaged place of residence in the Republic of Latvia and the rights to stay there; the potential dormitory/landlord can submit this document at the Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs in Riga;
• a statement on punishability issued by a competent institution of the citizenship or the host country, if a foreigner has resided in that country longer than 12 months (has to be legalized);
• a document confirming the state duty payment (for Bachelor level students);
• an agreement on studies in the Republic of Latvia - RGSL will submit the study agreement, signed by RGSL representative, at the Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs in Riga;
• documents confirming the education level (has to be legalized, if required).

IV Once the request has been approved, a student applies for an appointment at the Latvian diplomatic mission. There a student is interviewed and he/she personally presents a valid passport.

V If the request for the temporary residence permit has been granted, a student acquires a short term visa in order to enter Latvia. 

VI Upon receipt of the temporary residence permit (in Latvia, at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs), the student presents:

• a valid health insurance policy for at least one year;
• a health certificate issued by a Latvian healthcare institution stating that a person does not suffer from tuberculosis in active phase.

***

NB! The residence permit needs to be registered each year. RGSL Study department will assist students in this matter. 

In order to obtain a residence permit, a student must have health insurance coverage for a minimum of one year. Here are some of the insurance companies that can provide such services:

• Agga (particularly designed for persons who are applying for residence permits);
• BTA;
• Gjensidige (particularly designed for persons who are applying for residence permits);
• Compensa,
• ERGO, etc.

The European Health Insurance Card (for EU, European Economic Area countries, UK and Switzerland Confederation citizens) confirms the rights of citizens to receive state-funded emergency and necessary healthcare services to the same extent that it has secured the country's population.