Recently, we have frequently been approached by clients who encounter difficulties with the initial issuance of a residence permit (residence permit), or when re-registering their residence permit after five years.
What are the most common problems?
Extension of document review periods
For example, a fee was paid for 10 business days, but after 10 business days, the Department of Citizenship and Migration (hereinafter - the Department) sends a decision stating that a response regarding the residence permit will only be provided in two months.
Interview with Latvian security services.
Latvian security services call some clients and schedule interviews with them to inquire about the origin of funds used to purchase real estate in Latvia, to learn about their political views, and so on.
Accordingly, in such a case, the residence permit decision is made only after the interview.
Request for additional documents.
Most often, employment records, documents on the origin of funds, and CVs are requested. If the client is an entrepreneur, it is necessary to provide documents confirming the direction of the company's activities (for example, an excerpt from the Business Register).
What is causing such "heightened" and thorough examination on the part of the Department?
In a recent interview, Deputy Head of the Department of Citizenship and Migration Maira Roze stated:
"We often extend the review period for documents concerning persons who request a residence permit again. They are carefully checked because in previous years there was not always enough time and resources for this. Representatives of competent authorities are involved and conduct in-depth verification."
That is, if you have been subject to verification, this is not related to any personal suspicions about you.
To a large extent, this is due to the fact that previously the Department received many residence permit applications, and there was insufficient time for in-depth checks. Now, the number of applications has significantly decreased, and time and resources can be allocated to each residence permit applicant to conduct an in-depth verification.
How to act in such situations?
First of all, if you receive a decision from the Department stating that the review period for your residence permit application has been extended, that additional documents are requested, or that you are being called for an interview with security services, contact our company KOM-INVEST immediately. Our lawyer will promptly review the documents, analyze the situation, and advise you on what steps need to be taken.
If additional documents are requested, we do not recommend challenging the Department's decision or refusing to provide documents.
In such a case, you should prepare and submit all certificates and explanations to the department.
However, you should maintain a balance between ensuring that the Department receives all necessary information, while at the same time not disclosing too much information to the Department about yourself, your professional or business activities, or information about your family.
How are additional documents submitted?
There are several options, and you can choose the most convenient one.
For example, documents can be submitted at the Embassy of Latvia.
Or, you can execute a power of attorney for our company's lawyer (for example, with a Russian notary in Moscow) and send it along with all documents to Riga. Based on the power of attorney, the lawyer will submit the necessary documents to the Department and write explanations.
You can also come and submit documents in person at the Department in Latvia.
What happens after documents are submitted?
If the Department decides that additional documents must be provided, the decision will always specify two deadlines. The first is the date by which documents must be submitted. The second is when the Department will provide a response regarding the documents.
Accordingly, upon expiration of the specified second deadline, the Department makes a decision. It may be positive (residence permit awarded), or additional documents or information may be requested. In such a case, you will need to prepare the necessary documents and resubmit them to the Department.
If the decision deadline is postponed one or two times, but no documents are being requested?
This has also become a common situation recently. The Department cooperates with Latvian security services. These services conduct certain checks.
If these services need additional time to conduct their checks, the residence permit decision deadline may be extended.
In such a case, there are practically no legal mechanisms to accelerate the verification timeline or to challenge such verifications.
How legitimate are such verifications?
Part six of Article 33 of the Immigration Law establishes that when processing a residence permit, officials of the Department (as well as Border Service officials) have the right to conduct interviews with you, verify the accuracy of information obtained, and check the information received.
Accordingly, when requesting additional information, the Department often refers to this provision of the law.
What are the main recommendations?
If you are just planning to submit documents (for initial issuance of a residence permit, or for renewal of your 5-year residence permit), we recommend that you prepare in advance documents confirming your professional or business activities.
These are your employment record, CV (resume), and a certificate from your employer confirming your position. For entrepreneurs - an excerpt from the Business Register and a description of the enterprise's activities on the company's letterhead.
If your spouse is also applying for a residence permit, these documents must also be provided for them.
If documents have already been submitted and difficulties have arisen, contact our company's lawyer immediately.
We will help you resolve the situation.
The main principle is not to try to hide or conceal anything. A positive outcome (i.e., a decision to issue or register a residence permit) is only possible if you provide accurate, well-organized, and verified information.
In general, despite requests for additional documents, despite interviews with security services, despite delays in making residence permit decisions, all of our company's clients have obtained residence permits, and we have had no refusals in our practice.
For more detailed information about obtaining a residence permit in Latvia, see here in various sections.
Have questions? We look forward to your letter or call!
Phone number: +371 29774775
Email: info@kominvest.com
Skype: KOM-INVEST