MBBS in Latvia for Indian Students 2026: NEET, Visa, FMGE

MBBS in Latvia for Indian students is a six-year Medicine degree taught in English at two public universities in Riga. Tuition runs from about EUR 77,000 to EUR 81,000 over six years. Indian students must qualify NEET UG, get a Latvian visa and residence permit, and later pass FMGE to practise in India.

Key Takeaways

• Two universities: Riga Stradiņš University (RSU) and the University of Latvia (LU) both teach six-year Medicine in English. Both are futureMBBS partner universities.

• NEET is compulsory for India: NMC rules say any Indian citizen studying medicine abroad since May 2018 must qualify NEET UG first. The Latvian universities do not use NEET to select students.

• Visa, then residence permit: Indian students need a Latvian visa to enter. They then apply for a temporary residence permit within 30 days of arriving, and renew it every year.

• Money proof: RSU tells students to show a bank statement of at least EUR 9,500, which is EUR 780 a month for a year (approximately Rs. 10.3 lakh).

• Back in India: graduates must meet the NMC's 2021 foreign graduate rules, pass FMGE and complete a 12-month internship in India. Latvian graduates are few so far: 15 sat FMGE from 2023 to December 2025, and 4 passed.

This guide covers the full route from India: NEET, eligibility, applying, the visa and residence permit, costs, NMC rules and FMGE. For a side-by-side look at the two universities, read our RSU vs University of Latvia comparison. For the country as a whole, see our MBBS in Latvia country guide.

MBBS in Latvia at a glance for Indian students

Latvia has been a member of the European Union since 1 May 2004 and part of the Schengen area since 2007 (European Union country profile of Latvia). The currency is the euro.

Is NEET required for MBBS in Latvia for Indian students?

Yes, if the student ever wants to practise in India. The NMC's Screening Test Regulations were amended on 1 March 2018. Since then, any Indian citizen or Overseas Citizen of India who joins a medical course abroad on or after May 2018 must qualify NEET UG. The NEET result now counts as the old Eligibility Certificate (NMC Screening Test Regulations 2002, with the 2018 amendment (PDF)).

Neither Latvian university ranks applicants on NEET scores. A student can be admitted in Riga without NEET. That student, however, cannot later sit FMGE or get registered as a doctor in India. Our guide on whether NEET is required for MBBS abroad explains the qualifying marks and how long a NEET result stays usable.

Who is eligible for MBBS in Latvia from India?

The two universities set their own entry rules. The main ones for Indian students are below. The full university-by-university detail is in our RSU vs University of Latvia guide.

• Class 12 with science: RSU looks for at least 70 per cent in English, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics, and every subject passed (RSU general requirements for studies in English). RSU accepts Physics in place of Mathematics for Indian boards (RSU Admissions Procedure 2026/2027, paragraph 43).

• Higher bar at LU: the University of Latvia asks for about 80 per cent in Biology and Chemistry, plus a SAT score of 1200 for students schooled outside the EU (University of Latvia Medicine admission requirements). SAT is the US college admission test.

• English: RSU accepts English-medium schooling as proof. LU asks non-EU applicants for a test such as IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 or PTE Academic 55.

• NEET UG: qualified, under the NMC rule explained above.

• Age: RSU sets no age limit. A student under 18 needs a legal guardian living in Latvia, named in a notarised letter from the parents.

Who cannot apply for MBBS in Latvia

• A student with a failed subject on the Class 12 marksheet is not admitted at either university.

• A student without a SAT score of 1200 cannot apply to the University of Latvia from India.

• A student who has not qualified NEET UG can study in Latvia, but cannot use the degree to practise in India.

How to apply for MBBS in Latvia from India, step by step

1. Qualify NEET UG and keep the scorecard safe. It is needed again when you apply for FMGE.

2. Get your marksheets apostilled. India is a member of the Hague Convention, so Class 10 and Class 12 documents need an Apostille from the Ministry of External Affairs. Our apostille guide for MBBS in Europe explains how.

3. Apply online and pay the application fee. RSU charges EUR 100 through its e-Admissions portal. LU charges EUR 170.

4. Wait for document recognition. RSU sends school documents to Latvia's Academic Information Centre. This usually takes up to one month and can take up to four (RSU additional procedures).

5. Sit the online interview. Both universities interview non-EU applicants online.

6. Accept the offer and pay. At RSU the first payment is due within two weeks of the offer.

7. Start the visa and residence permit process. The university sends an invitation to Latvia's Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA). The next section explains each step.

Latvia student visa and residence permit for Indian students

Indian citizens need a visa to enter Latvia. India is not on Latvia's list of countries that face an extra visa assessment (Latvian Cabinet Regulation No. 554). This means an Indian student gets a visa first, travels to Riga, and then applies for a temporary residence permit there. The steps below follow RSU's official guide (RSU immigration procedure for non-EU students).

Steps for the Latvian student visa and residence permit

1. Invitation: after admission, the university's immigration officer prepares an official invitation. OCMA, the Latvian migration office, checks it and approves or refuses it.

2. Visa: the university couriers the documents you need. You then apply at the Embassy of Latvia in New Delhi, which receives visitors on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment. RSU itself is not part of the visa decision.

3. Arrive in Riga: RSU runs a compulsory immigration workshop in orientation week.

4. Apply for the temporary residence permit within 30 days of arrival. RSU says documents currently go to OCMA by post, not by email.

5. Decision: OCMA takes about one month from registering the application. After a positive decision, you give your photo and fingerprints at OCMA.

6. Collect the card: the residence permit card is ready in about a week. It is usually valid for one calendar year.

7. Declare your address: this costs EUR 4.27 at OCMA and takes about five minutes.

Documents for the Latvian residence permit

The health insurance must be valid in Latvia and the Schengen area for at least one year, cover at least EUR 43,000 of medical costs, and include repatriation to India. RSU notes that students usually buy a local policy for about EUR 40 a year. The University of Latvia also sets the money requirement at EUR 780 a month and says the whole residence permit process can take more than 45 days (University of Latvia visas and residence permits). Our student visa guide for MBBS in Europe and health insurance guide cover the wider process.

Renewing the residence permit every year

The residence permit is usually issued for one year at a time. A student renews it each year for all six years of the course, so the bank statement, insurance and rental agreement need to stay current. Keep copies of every year's documents in one folder.

How much does MBBS in Latvia cost for Indian students?

Tuition is set by each university. RSU charges a flat EUR 13,500 a year (RSU tuition fees for studies in English 2026/2027). LU starts at EUR 11,850 and rises to EUR 14,610 in year six (University of Latvia Medicine application page). Rupee figures use the European Central Bank rate of EUR 1 = Rs. 108.82 on 30 September 2026 (ECB euro reference rate for the Indian rupee).

The EUR 780 a month is the amount Latvian migration rules treat as the minimum a student needs to live on. Over six years that floor comes to about EUR 56,000 (approximately Rs. 61 lakh). Add tuition and one-off fees, and a family should plan on at least EUR 139,000 at RSU (approximately Rs. 1.51 crore) or EUR 134,000 at LU (approximately Rs. 1.45 crore). Flights, books and the yearly residence permit costs come on top.

Our six-year cost of MBBS in Europe guide shows how Latvia's total compares with the other partner countries.

NMC rules for MBBS in Latvia: what the degree must meet

The National Medical Commission (NMC), India's medical regulator, sets the rules in the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021 (PDF). They apply to every student who started abroad after November 2021. Older notices are listed on the NMC rules and regulations page.

• Course length: at least 54 months of study. Both Latvian programmes run six years.

• Internship abroad: at least 12 months of internship at the same foreign university.

• Language: the degree must be taught in English. Both Latvian programmes are.

• Same university, same country: no part of the training or internship may happen in India or in a third country. An Erasmus+ exchange semester or final-year rotations in India would break this rule.

• Licence in Latvia: the graduate must be registered with the body that licenses doctors in Latvia, on the same terms as a Latvian citizen (NMC FAQs on the FMGL Regulations, question 9 (PDF)).

• Back in India: pass the screening exam, then complete a 12-month supervised internship in India before permanent registration.

Our NMC and WDOMS recognition guide shows how to check any university, and our guide to medical registration in India after MBBS in Europe walks through the steps after graduation.

FMGE and NExT after MBBS in Latvia

The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) is the screening exam a foreign graduate must pass before practising in India. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) runs it (NBEMS FMGE page). The NMC plans to replace it with the National Exit Test (NExT) under the NExT Regulations 2023 (PDF). NExT was deferred on 13 July 2023 until the Health Ministry directs otherwise, so FMGE continues (NMC public notice deferring NExT (PDF)).

FMGE results for Latvia, 2023 to 2025

All Latvian candidates in the NBEMS reports so far are RSU graduates. The table sets Latvia beside the national result.

Fifteen Latvian graduates sat FMGE across these sittings and four passed. That is too few to predict how a future student will do. It does mean a family should plan for FMGE preparation from the clinical years, not after graduation. Country-wise results are in our FMGE pass rate by country guide and the FMGE pass rate country-wise web story.

MBBS in Latvia intakes and deadlines for Indian students

RSU admits Medicine students twice a year and LU once a year (RSU When to Apply page).

Document recognition can take up to four months, and the visa and residence permit follow after that. A student aiming for February 2027 should arrange the Apostille first.

What if things do not go to plan with MBBS in Latvia?

• You miss the RSU February 2027 deadline: the next window for Indian citizens is 1 March to 1 May 2027, for the September 2027 intake.

• You did not qualify NEET UG: admission in Latvia is still possible, but the degree cannot lead to a licence in India. Qualify NEET first if India is the goal.

• You miss the 30-day window after arrival: the residence permit application must be made within 30 days of entering Latvia. Plan the arrival around RSU's orientation week so the workshop and the application happen on time.

• You are offered an exchange semester abroad: under NMC rules, training outside Latvia breaks the same-institution rule. Stay in Latvia for every semester and rotation.

• You need other options: our list of 23 futureMBBS partner universities in nine countries includes options with lower fees or more seats.

Before travelling, our web story on what to do before leaving for MBBS abroad gives a short checklist.

Conclusion: MBBS in Latvia for Indian students

MBBS in Latvia gives an Indian student a six-year English-medium degree in an EU country, at EUR 77,000 to EUR 81,000 in tuition. The route has fixed steps: qualify NEET UG, meet the university's marks, get the visa and residence permit, and keep every year of training in Latvia. FMGE results for Latvian graduates are still a small sample, so FMGE preparation should start early.

Frequently asked questions

Is MBBS in Latvia valid in India?

Yes, if the student meets the NMC's 2021 foreign graduate rules. The course must run at least 54 months in English, with a 12-month internship at the same university. The graduate must hold a licence in Latvia, pass FMGE and finish a 12-month internship in India. Both Latvian programmes run six years in English.

Is NEET compulsory for MBBS in Latvia?

For Indian students who want to practise in India, yes. Since May 2018, NMC rules require every Indian citizen studying medicine abroad to qualify NEET UG. RSU and the University of Latvia do not select students by NEET score, but without it the degree cannot lead to registration in India.

What is the total cost of MBBS in Latvia for Indian students?

Six-year tuition is EUR 81,000 at RSU and EUR 77,340 at the University of Latvia for 2026/27 starters. Latvian rules ask students to show EUR 780 a month for living. With one-off fees, plan on at least EUR 134,000 to EUR 139,000, roughly Rs. 1.45 crore to Rs. 1.51 crore.

How much bank balance is needed for a Latvia student residence permit?

RSU asks for a signed and stamped bank statement showing at least EUR 9,500, which is EUR 780 a month for one year. That is approximately Rs. 10.3 lakh at the ECB rate of 30 September 2026. The statement is valid for three months, so time it close to submission.

Do Indian students need a visa for Latvia?

Yes. Indian citizens need a visa to enter Latvia, applied for at the Embassy of Latvia in New Delhi after the university's invitation is approved. Within 30 days of arriving, the student applies for a temporary residence permit. The permit is usually issued for one year and renewed every year.

Can Indian students work while studying MBBS in Latvia?

Yes. A full-time undergraduate student in Latvia may work up to 20 hours a week during term and up to 40 hours a week during holidays, with an employment contract. Medicine timetables are demanding, so part-time earnings should be treated as pocket money, not as a way to pay fees.

What is the FMGE pass rate for Latvia?

NBEMS reports show 15 Latvian graduates, all from RSU, sat FMGE from 2023 to December 2025, and four passed. One of one passed in 2023, three of eight in 2024 and none of six in 2025. The national pass rate in December 2025 was 23.94 per cent.

When is the next MBBS intake in Latvia?

The next intake is RSU's February 2027 intake. Indian citizens can apply until 1 November 2026, and studies begin on 2 February 2027. RSU's September 2027 window runs from 1 March to 1 May 2027. The University of Latvia admits once a year, with its next intake in autumn 2027.

Sources

• National Medical Commission, Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021 (PDF)

• National Medical Commission, FAQs on the FMGL Regulations, 22 February 2022 (PDF)

• National Medical Commission, Screening Test Regulations 2002 with the 2018 NEET amendment (PDF)

• National Medical Commission, National Exit Test Regulations, 2023 (PDF)

• National Medical Commission, public notice deferring NExT, 13 July 2023 (PDF)

• NBEMS, Foreign Medical Graduate Examination page

• NBEMS, FMGE Performance Report 2025

• NBEMS, FMGE 2024 institute-wise and country-wise results

• NBEMS, FMGE 2023 institute-wise and country-wise results

• Riga Stradiņš University, immigration procedure for non-EU students

• Riga Stradiņš University, tuition fees for studies in English 2026/2027

• Riga Stradiņš University, when to apply

• Riga Stradiņš University, general requirements for studies in English

• Riga Stradiņš University, Admissions Procedure 2026/2027 (PDF)

• Riga Stradiņš University, additional procedures and document recognition

• University of Latvia, Medicine application page: fees and deposit

• University of Latvia, Medicine programme page: admission requirements

• University of Latvia, visas and residence permits

• Republic of Latvia, Cabinet Regulation No. 554 on additional assessment countries

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Embassy of Latvia in India consular information

• Integration and Inclusion Agency of Latvia, job opportunities for international students

• European Union, country profile of Latvia

• European Central Bank, euro reference rate for the Indian rupee