At the end of the third quarter of 2023, there were 25,500 registered vacancies in Latvia, according to a report by the country's Central Statistical Bureau. Although down 2.2% compared to the same period last year, Latvia faces labor shortages in several sectors. The 2022 EURES report on labour shortages and surpluses unveiled that the majority of shortages Latvia is facing are related to construction and building trades, information technology, engineering and manufacturing, and healthcare. Similarly, the Report on the implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and its Regional Implementation Strategy (MIPAA/RIS) in Latvia of the UN Economic Commission for Europe revealed that Latvia is experiencing a decrease in its overall population, while the number of elderly residents is increasing. This implies that Latvia may need foreign workers to ease the labour shortages. According to the EURES report, shortages were found in the following sectors and occupations:

Construction and Building Trades:

• Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics
• Bricklayers and related workers
• Building and related electricians
• Building construction labourers
• Building structure cleaners
• Concrete placers, concrete finishers, and related workers
• Electrical line installers
• Floor layers and tile setters
• Glass and ceramic plant operators
• Painters and related workers
• Plasterers
• Sheet metal workers
• Stonemasons, stone cutters, splitters, and carvers
• Structural metal preparers and erectors

Information Technology:

• Applications programmers
• Computer network professionals
• Database and network professionals not elsewhere classified
• System analysts
• Web and multimedia developers

Engineering and Manufacturing:

• Aircraft engine mechanics and repairers
• Cement, stone, and other mineral products machine operators
• Mechanical engineers
• Metal finishing, plating, and coating machine operators
• Mining engineers, metallurgists, and related professionals
• Welders and flame cutters

Healthcare:

• Medical imaging and therapeutic equipment technicians
• Paramedical practitioners
• Specialist medical practitioners
• Psychologists

Transportation and Logistics:

• Heavy truck and lorry drivers
• Travel attendants and travel stewards
• Well drillers and borers and related workers

Agriculture:

• Crop farm labourers
• Field crop and vegetable growers

Law and Security:

• Inquiry clerks
• Prison guards

Other Services:

• Fishery and aquaculture labourers
• Paper products machine operators
• Spray painters and varnishers
• Survey and market research interviewers

Who Needs a Visa to Work in Latvia?

Citizens of EU/EEA countries don’t need a visa if they want to work in Latvia, however they have to register their stay and place of residence at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. Whereas non-EU/EEA citizens must obtain one of the four types of work visas in Latvia, along with a work permit from a Latvian employer and a Latvian temporary residence permit. However, individuals considering applying for a Latvian work visa may appreciate knowing that Latvia is among the easiest countries within the EU to obtain a work visa.