Recently, information (rumors) has appeared suggesting that the residence permit program in Latvia has been terminated and that it is no longer possible to obtain a residence permit.
KOM-INVEST company draws the attention of its clients to the fact that this is incorrect information. We invite you to familiarize yourself with a brief description of the situation, which reflects the true state of affairs as of January 15, 2015.
On January 20, 2015, the Latvian Saeima will consider amendments to the immigration law in its second reading. The amendments provide for the following:
1) The Latvian Cabinet of Ministers has the right (in case of a threat to national or economic security) to temporarily suspend the issuance of residence permits (maximum suspension period - 5 years) to citizens of one specific third country or to citizens of all third countries who request a residence permit based on business investment, real estate purchase, or bank deposit.
In other words, the Saeima wants to grant the Cabinet of Ministers the right to suspend the residence permit program. Whether the Cabinet of Ministers will use such a right depends on the situation. It is also not known which countries' citizens may be subject to such restrictions (prohibition on obtaining a residence permit).
2) The Latvian Cabinet of Ministers will be able to use such a right only in special cases - when there is a real threat to national security, or when there is a real threat to economic development. The level of threat will be assessed based on information prepared by law enforcement agencies.
3) If the issuance of residence permits based on business investment, real estate purchase, or bank deposit is suspended, the restrictions will not apply to those who have already obtained a residence permit.
Consequently, restrictions should not apply to those who already have a residence permit, who perform the annual residence permit renewal procedure, or who request a renewed residence permit for a 5-year period.
4) If the issuance of residence permits based on business investment, real estate purchase, or bank deposit is suspended, the restrictions will not apply to those who submitted documents for a residence permit before the date the restrictions are introduced.
Consequently, if restrictions are introduced, for example, from date X, then the restrictions do not apply to foreigners who managed to submit documents for a residence permit before that date X.
Thus, the information (rumors) about the termination of the residence permit program is incorrect. As of January 15, 2015, only amendments to the second reading are being discussed. The essence of the amendments is outlined above. The second reading is scheduled for January 20, 2015. After the second reading, a third reading is possible. Presidential confirmation is also required. Therefore, at the present time, the residence permit program continues to operate, and KOM-INVEST company is ready to obtain a residence permit for its clients.
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Phone number: +371 29774775
Email: info@kominvest.com
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