Why Bangladeshi Students Choose Latvia
Latvia is a full EU and Schengen member state, best known among Bangladeshi students for Riga Stradiņš University's English-medium Medicine and Dentistry programs — a genuinely EU-recognised degree at a lower cost than Western Europe.
লাটভিয়া একটি পূর্ণ EU ও শেনজেন সদস্য রাষ্ট্র, বিশেষভাবে রিগা স্ট্রাডিন্স বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের ইংরেজি মাধ্যম মেডিসিন প্রোগ্রামের জন্য পরিচিত।
No resident Latvia mission in Bangladesh: applications are lodged either at the Dhaka VFS Global centre of the Schengen state currently representing Latvia, or directly at the Latvia Embassy in New Delhi, India. Representation arrangements change from time to time — confirm which mission currently covers Latvia before booking.
বাংলাদেশে কোনো লাটভিয়ান দূতাবাস নেই: কোন মিশন বর্তমানে দায়িত্বে আছে তা যাচাই করে নিন।
Universities & Popular Programs
Riga Stradiņš University (RSU)
Latvia's most prominent international medical university, with a large, long-established English-medium Medicine and Dentistry student community from South Asia.
University of Latvia (Riga)
Latvia's top-ranked comprehensive university, offering English-medium Master's in Business, IT, and Sciences.
Riga Technical University
Leading choice for Engineering, Computer Science, and Architecture programs.
Popular Fields
জনপ্রিয় বিষয়সমূহ: Medicine (MD), Dentistry, Engineering, Computer Science, Business.
Tuition & Living Costs
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Medicine (MD) tuition per year | €12,000 - €15,000 |
| Total program (6 years) | €72,000 - €90,000 |
| Living costs per month | €400 - €600 |
Riga is Latvia's capital and hosts most international programs; living costs there are still notably lower than in Western European capitals.
রিগায় বেশিরভাগ আন্তর্জাতিক প্রোগ্রাম রয়েছে; থাকার খরচ পশ্চিম ইউরোপের রাজধানীগুলোর তুলনায় কম।
Scholarships & Funding
State Education Development Agency (VIAA) Scholarships — Latvia's government scholarship program occasionally offers places to international students at Latvian universities; check current calls on the VIAA website for eligibility.
Medicine programs are almost entirely self-financed — budget for the full 6-year tuition and living costs, as dedicated scholarships for international Medicine students are rare.
Visa & Work Rights — Full Step-by-Step Guide
Required Documents
- Valid passport with at least six months' validity beyond your intended date of return, and at least two blank pages.
- Completed and signed national long-stay visa application form.
- Two recent passport-size photographs (35x45 mm) with a white background.
- Official letter of admission/acceptance from the Latvian educational institution.
- All academic transcripts and certificates, attested where required.
- English proficiency test score (IELTS, TOEFL or an accepted equivalent).
- Proof of tuition payment and sufficient funds for living costs.
- Statement of Purpose explaining your study plan and intent to return.
- Personal bank statement for the last six months, bank solvency certificate and dollar endorsement.
- Police Clearance Certificate, attested or apostilled as required.
- Medical fitness certificate from an approved physician.
- Proof of secured accommodation.
- Travel medical insurance valid across the Schengen area with minimum coverage of €30,000.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Secure admission and receive your official letter of acceptance from a Latvian institution.
- Get your academic and Police Clearance certificates attested/apostilled and translated where required.
- Arrange proof of funds — bank statement, solvency certificate, and dollar endorsement.
- Confirm which mission currently represents Latvia for Bangladeshi applicants — either a Schengen-state VFS centre in Dhaka or the Latvia Embassy in New Delhi.
- Complete the national long-stay (Type D) visa form (not the Schengen short-stay form).
- Book an appointment at the confirmed application point and attend in person to submit documents and biometrics.
- Attend an interview about your study plan and finances, if required.
- Pay the visa fee (around €100-€160) and wait for a decision — commonly four to twelve weeks — then collect your passport with the visa.
Fees Summary
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| National (Type D) long-stay visa | ~€100 - €160 + service charges |
Where to Apply from Bangladesh
Latvia has no resident embassy in Bangladesh.
Schengen visa applications are lodged either at the visa application centre (VFS Global) in Dhaka of the Schengen state that represents Latvia, or at the Latvia Embassy in New Delhi, India.
Representation arrangements between Schengen states change from time to time. Confirm which mission currently covers Latvia before you book an appointment or pay a service fee.
Application Tips
- Apply as soon as you receive your admission letter — long-stay decisions commonly take four to twelve weeks.
- Confirm current representation arrangements before paying any service fee, since which mission handles Latvia's applications can change.
- Documents not in English or Latvian must be translated by a certified translator and legalised or apostilled.
Work Rights
International students in Latvia holding a valid residence permit for studies are generally permitted limited part-time work, subject to confirmation with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) after arrival.
লাটভিয়ায় রেসিডেন্স পারমিটধারী শিক্ষার্থীরা সাধারণত সীমিত খণ্ডকালীন কাজ করতে পারেন।
Language Requirements
| Program | IELTS (typical) | PTE Academic (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| English-taught Medicine/Dentistry | 6.0 - 6.5 | 50 - 58 |
| English-taught Master's | 6.0 | 50 |
Riga Stradiņš University and other medical faculties may also require a subject-specific entrance exam alongside the English proficiency requirement.
Application Timeline (September Intake)
Application & Acceptance
Apply to your chosen university and receive your official letter of acceptance.
Document Attestation
Attest/apostille academic and police clearance certificates, arrange proof of funds.
Visa Appointment
Submit your application at the confirmed mission and attend biometrics/interview.
Arrival
Arrive in time for orientation before the academic year begins.
FAQ
Is a Latvian medical degree recognised across the EU? Yes — as an EU member state's degree, it is recognised throughout the European Union; practising in Bangladesh still requires separate BM&DC verification.
Where exactly do I submit my visa application? It depends on current representation arrangements — confirm with the Latvia Embassy in New Delhi or check which Schengen state's VFS centre in Dhaka currently handles Latvia applications.
Can I work part-time during my studies? Yes, on a limited basis, subject to confirmation with Latvian immigration authorities after arrival.