The biggest bobsleigh track in Europe, the famous rye Latvian bread, the obligatory “bicycle” rights for teenagers and no less obligatory fines for adults and drunken cyclists. Such a close and such wayward Republic of Latvia continues to attract Russians not only as tourists. Those who would like to receive a Latvian passport will have to overcome the path consisting of several stages of obtaining citizenship and abandon the Russian one.
Latvian citizenship for Russians provides several advantages. Russian is widely spoken in the country. 1.8 million people speak it. Most Russian speakers in Riga.
Latvia was a member of the USSR, therefore it is a country with a mentality that is understandable and close to Russian people. The commonality of life is obvious and is not denied by anyone. Despite the difficult foreign relations between Russia and Latvia, Latvians are friendly and respectful to Russians.
How to get Latvian citizenship
It will take ten years to obtain Latvian citizenship. The process includes several important steps:
- 5 years of residence permit in the Republic of Latvia.
- 5 years of permanent residence in Latvia.
- Passing the exam in the Latvian language, the history of the country.
- Renunciation of Russian citizenship.
How to get a residence permit
Obtaining a residence permit in Latvia is easier than in other European countries. True, annual status registration will be required.
The residence permit is issued in the form of an electronic identification card - e-ID, which will also need to be changed every year. A residence permit is required for everyone who intends to stay in Latvia for more than three months. The decision on the issuance of the document shall be issued by the Office for Citizenship and Migration of the Republic. The duration of the application is from five to thirty days.
State duty for considering application for residence permit
Depending on the period of consideration of the documents submitted for a residence permit request, the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in the Russian Federation has established the state duty and consular fee:
- within thirty days - 99.60 €;
- within ten working days - 241.89 €;
- within five days - 384.18 €.
You can pay for the services of the Embassy of Latvia only by bank transfer.
Grounds for residence permit
Latvian legislation provides for more than a dozen reasons for issuing a temporary residence permit document. The most demanded among Russians: the need to unite with relatives and relatives, study or internship, investing in the Latvian economy, buying real estate.
The program of residence permits for investment reasons includes:
- real estate investment;
- subordinated loans;
- government bonds.
Together with the investor, a residence permit has the right to receive a spouse and minor children.
Residence Permit Features
A residence permit in Latvia gives its holder the right to live with virtually no restrictions on the territory of the country.
A resident has the right:
- receive benefits, including unemployment;
- educate children for free in public schools;
- receive free medical care;
- stay in the EU countries without a visa for a period not exceeding ninety days for six months;
- work legally in the country;
- get a driver’s license.
A residence permit allows obtaining the same status to family members of a resident.
Documents for obtaining a residence permit
Documents required for a residence permit include such papers:
- passport;
- completed form;
- the photo;
- receipt of payment of state duty;
- proof of residence.
In addition, depending on the grounds for obtaining residence permit status, other documents will be required, namely:
- an agreement on treatment or rehabilitation in the territory of Latvia;
- an agreement on admission to a Latvian university and payment of the first semester of study;
- an agreement with a Latvian employer;
- document confirming the presence of investments and real estate acquired in Latvia.
Employment as a way to obtain a residence permit
It’s worthwhile to dwell on this point in more detail, because the majority of people are granted a residence permit status not through investments in the Latvian economy or real estate transactions, but through employment. Therefore, if you intend to obtain a residence permit in Latvia, an important tip is to make every effort to find a job in the Republic of Latvia before leaving there. An agreement with a Latvian employer is required, as is a visa, of course. From a Latvian company hiring a migrant, a salary of at least 760 € is required. The employer sends a call to the employee only after the vacancy is published in the state employment agency. The next step is to draw up an employment contract.
What job is easier to find
Most of all, Latvian employers need seasonal workers, such as picking berries, and generally in areas where low qualifications of employees are sufficient.
However, today Latvia is also in need of high-class specialists. This year, the Ministry of Economics of Latvia has compiled a list of professions whose representatives will find it easier to obtain an invitation to work.
Latvia needs:
- Physicists
- astronomers
- mathematicians
- programmers
- navigators and pilots;
- aircraft pilots;
- electrical engineers.
Also required are scientists, analysts, website creators, and others. There are a total of twenty-nine professions in demand in Latvia.
Permanent Residence Permit
Obtaining a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Latvia is the second step on the path to Latvian citizenship.
Stages of issuing permanent residence status in Latvia:
- Five years to have a residence permit and continuously reside in Latvia.
- Minimum command of the Latvian language (communicate in Latvian and understand the language at the household level; master the oral and written Latvian language).
Documents for obtaining permanent residence in Latvia:
- statement;
- color photo 3 * 4 cm;
- certificate confirming knowledge of Latvian;
- state duty receipt.
Papers should be submitted to the Latvian Embassy.
The minimum term for considering applications for permanent residence is three months.
Permanent residence opportunities in Latvia:
- preferential medicine;
- benefits, including benefits for childbirth or disability;
- pension provision;
- visa-free travel within the European Union for one hundred and eighty days a year;
- property acquired for obtaining a residence permit can be sold (real estate, securities), as well as to withdraw money placed there from the bank;
- the right to free employment in Latvia.
Permanent residence status equalizes rights with citizens of Latvia, however, it does not allow voting in the presidential and parliamentary elections, or holding public office. Not all bank loan offers are available.
Naturalization
Latvian citizenship through naturalization can be obtained from 15 years. Last year, you cannot leave the country for five years continuously.
Naturalization is a very important period in obtaining citizenship, because the applicant masters the culture of Latvia, studies the language, history of the country and the traditions of Latvians, the Constitution and the anthem.
Naturalization Exam
The most difficult exam is the knowledge of the state language. Otherwise, do not become a citizen of Latvia. If the applicant speaks the Latvian language sufficiently that is required for naturalization, then learning the hymn, declaring it, knowing the articles of the Constitution and following them will not be difficult.
Testing of knowledge of Latvian includes two stages: oral and written. An applicant for Latvian citizenship must read and speak Latvian fluently.
The written phase is a test. You must score at least 50% of the correct answers. Applicants over 65 are exempted from the written part of the exam.
The test on the history of Latvia contains more than 90 questions, which can be prepared using a special teaching aid. Another preparation option: a book by J. Taurens “Basic Issues of the Latvian Constitution”.
Retake the exam is allowed three times, and only that part of the exam, which was failed. The application must be submitted after 6 months.
Renunciation of Russian citizenship
Russians wishing to become citizens of Latvia will have to renounce citizenship of the Russian Federation. However, in 2013, the Latvian parliament passed amendments to the Citizenship Act to allow dual citizenship.
Dual citizenship is valid for:
- deported Latvian citizens and their heirs;
- ethnic Latvians;
- children of citizens of Latvia.
Who will not be given citizenship
The authorities have the right to refuse certain categories of applicants to receive a Latvian passport. Citizenship is closed to those who:
- serves in military departments and state structures, as well as in state security bodies;
- He is a supporter of the ideas of fascism, nationalism, chauvinism and communism;
- has problems with the law or is judged by criminal articles;
- convicted of acts against the independence of Latvia and the Latvian people.
Address of the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Russia: Moscow, ul. Chaplygin, 3.