Latvia is moving to strengthen oversight of its international student population, with proposed amendments to both the Immigration Law and the Higher Education Law. The Ministry of Education and Science (MES) is seeking to increase university responsibility in the admission and ongoing monitoring of foreign students.
Increased Scrutiny for International Students
Among the proposed changes, students expelled from Latvian higher education institutions would be required to return to their home country before being eligible to reapply. A minimum average grade of 60 percent in relevant subject areas is also being considered as a requirement for continued study.
Universities could face restrictions on future recruitment if more than 30 percent of their previously invited students are denied visas. New regulations from the Cabinet of Ministers will also require internationally recognized English language proficiency certificates and a minimum A2 level of Latvian language proficiency for all foreign students.
Riga Technical University Adapts
Riga Technical University (RTU) is already adjusting its internationalization policy, focusing on attracting higher-quality students and prioritizing applicants with strong science backgrounds. RTU is shifting its focus toward students from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), and countries with established economic ties, even as gradually reducing enrollment of students from third countries.
RTU Rector Talis Juhna has stated the university aims to rank among the top 500 universities internationally. The university plans to increase the proportion of students pursuing Master’s and PhD degrees.
Currently, approximately 11,900 students in Latvia received their prior education abroad, with the majority pursuing degrees in social sciences, business, healthcare, and STEM fields. The largest numbers of international students come from India, Uzbekistan, Sweden, Ukraine, and Germany. Around 4,000 mobility students began studies in Latvia in the 2025/2026 academic year, a 2.4 percent increase from the previous year.
The Ministry of the Interior has also proposed amendments to the Immigration Law requiring universities to notify the State Border Guard within three days – reduced from the current 14 – if a third-country student is absent from lectures without justification. These proposals are currently before the Saeima for a third reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of these proposed changes?
The Ministry of Education and Science aims to strengthen the supervision of the study process for foreign students and increase the responsibility of universities in the admission and monitoring of these students.
What language requirements will be imposed on foreign students?
The Cabinet of Ministers’ regulations will require internationally recognized certificates for English language proficiency, as well as a requirement for foreign students to master Latvian at least at the A2 level.
What will happen if a student is expelled from a Latvian university?
A foreign student who is expelled from a Latvian higher education institution will be required to return to their home country before reapplying to study in Latvia.
How might these changes affect the diversity of the student population in Latvia?
