Citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus will not be issued residence permits in Latvia until June 30, 2023. The Cabinet of Ministers of the country supported the relevant amendments to the Immigration Law on September 6, 2022.
Source: The Government of Latvia
“Amendments to the Immigration Law also provide that until June 30, 2023, the issuing of temporary residence permits to citizens of Russia and Belarus will be stopped, with the exception of persons who have stayed in Latvia for a long time, for example, former Latvian citizens or non-citizens who, due to lack of knowledge of the national language, do not qualify for a permanent residence permit or EU permanent resident status.”
An exception can be made for students, scientists, investors and entrepreneurs, but not for everyone.
“According to the directive of the European Parliament and the Council, former students or researchers who want to continue staying in Latvia after the end of their studies or research project are also an exception. Also, the exception would apply to persons who have been granted the right to employment in Latvia, who wish to continue staying in Latvia and for whom regular personal income tax payments have been made, as well as temporary residence permits, would be eligible to receive a start-up business board members then when the temporary residence permit issued in connection with the establishment of a start-up has expired.”
The competent national security authorities will conduct thorough investigations of individuals who fall within this category.
As previously reported, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland plan to prohibit the issuance of visas to Russians at the national level and to limit the entry of citizens of the Russian Federation from the EU.
See also: Russians will no longer be able to obtain EU visas under a simplified procedure: details
