Brazilian workers in Latvia: on the job in three weeks — a shorter paperwork process

The biggest obstacle to sourcing foreign labour in Latvia is often neither cost nor quality — it is time. The standard work-permit process for a third-country national has three phases: publishing an NVA vacancy notice (14 days), securing a PMLP invitation (approximately 7 days) and obtaining a D-type visa at an embassy (up to 14 days).

That is the theoretical minimum under regulation. In practice — factoring in candidate selection, document preparation, embassy backlogs and travel coordination — sourcing citizens of India, Nepal, Uzbekistan and other visa countries usually takes approximately 2–3 months.

This is where Brazilian citizens become a particularly valuable option. Brazil has visa-free entry to the Schengen area, so the embassy step for the D-type visa is skipped. The D-type work visa and residence permit are finalised in Latvia instead, which saves the weeks that would otherwise be lost.

The result — under optimal conditions, a worker can start on the job in Latvia in about three weeks rather than three months.

Note: SPEKANOMA has established a direct partner network in Brazil, its own candidate selection process, and more than nine years of experience handling paperwork on the Latvian side.

How the process works in practice

The work and residence-permit process for third-country nationals in Latvia has three main phases. For Brazilian citizens, the third phase — the D-type visa at an embassy — is not required.

Phase 1: NVA vacancy notice — 14 days

Latvian law requires that the job first be offered to the Latvian and EU labour market. If no suitable candidate is found within 14 days, the employer may begin the foreign-worker sourcing process.

Phase 2: PMLP invitation — approximately 7 days

After NVA's positive opinion, an application is filed with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), which issues the invitation needed for work and residence formalities.

Phase 3: D-type visa (only for countries without visa-free entry)

Citizens of India, Nepal, Uzbekistan and other countries need to obtain a D-type visa at an embassy. While the statutory review period is relatively short, the overall process in practice often adds another 4–6 weeks.

Brazilian citizens skip this phase, so the process is considerably faster.

A practical example

• Week 1: client request, candidate selection, NVA vacancy notice published.
• Week 2: NVA vacancy publication period continues.
• Week 3: NVA opinion received, PMLP invitation issued, flight organised.
• End of week 3: the worker arrives in Latvia and can start.

Throughout, all Latvian legal requirements are met — employment contract, tax compliance and social security are handled in accordance with the law.

Why Brazilian workers?

1. Experience with modern agricultural machinery

Brazil is one of the world's largest agricultural producers. Many operators work daily with modern machinery, including John Deere, Case IH, New Holland and Massey Ferguson.

As a result, workers arrive in Latvia with practical experience operating tractors, combines, sprayers and seeders. The adaptation period on a farm is typically short.

2. Solid education level

Many candidates have completed secondary or vocational education. It's common for them to have knowledge of agricultural technology, machinery maintenance or agronomy basics.

This shows in the quality of work — they don't just follow instructions, they understand the process as a whole.

Most candidates can communicate in basic English, which is usually sufficient for day-to-day work.

3. Steady work ethic

Agricultural seasons demand high work discipline and endurance. For workers from Brazil's rural regions this working environment is familiar.

In practice this means workers are motivated to stay through the season and less likely to change employers mid-way.

Comparison with workers from other countries

Aspect	Brazil	Uzbekistan	India / Nepal
Approx. sourcing time	~3 weeks	~2–3 months	~2–3 months
Visa regime	Visa-free entry	Visa required	Visa required
Main specialisation	Machinery operation, agriculture	Construction, general labour	Welding, manufacturing
Working language	English — basic or intermediate	Basic level	English — intermediate to good
Cost	Mid-range	Mid-range	Depends on qualification

The main takeaway is simple — if speed matters most, Brazilian citizens are currently the only fast option, because their D-type work visa and residence permit are arranged in Latvia (not at an embassy abroad), with entry made under the visa-free regime.

Who is this best for?

An excellent fit:

• Grain farms;
• Berry and vegetable growers;
• Livestock farms;
• Companies with large machinery fleets;
• Situations where workers are needed within a few weeks.

Less suitable:

• High-precision welding work;
• Complex industrial projects;
• Work requiring specific European certifications.

Three important things to know

1. Visa-free entry significantly shortens the process

Brazilian citizens have their D-type work visa arranged in Latvia rather than at an embassy abroad, so sourcing typically happens several times faster than for workers from visa countries.

2. NVA vacancy publication is mandatory

Before a foreign worker can be sourced, the vacancy must be published at NVA for at least 14 days. This requirement cannot be bypassed.

3. Many candidates are looking for long-term work

A large share of Brazilian candidates want to work in Latvia for more than one season, which gives the employer more stability.

Summary

Approx. timeline: 3–4 weeks.
Specialisation: agriculture, machinery operation and seasonal work.
Education: secondary or vocational.
Main advantage: fast and fully legal sourcing.

Brazilian workers aren't a universal solution for every situation. But when qualified workers are needed within a few weeks, they can be one of the most effective options for Latvian employers.