Repatriation to Latvia - Latvian citizenship and permanent residence for a repatriate

Standard of living in Latvia

The Republic of Latvia is a Baltic country that ranks second in terms of living standards, after Estonia. In May 2004, the state joined the European Union, and from this period reforms to improve the economy began. Shock therapy, privatization of real estate, lending were carried out, subsidies and other radical economic reforms were introduced. Latvians experienced difficult times until 2010; the economy gradually modernized and stabilized. Having survived a series of unrest, Latvians began to live better - wages rose, the unemployment rate decreased, and inflation decreased.

In 2021, the unemployment rate was 7%, inflation 2.6%. Speaking about salaries this year, they have not changed much, the minimum wage varies within €423 before tax, net is €352. The average salary ranges from €800-1100 before tax, in rubles it is 56215 or 70269. Due to the constant outflow of qualified labor, Latvian employers are forced to artificially increase salaries. At the same time, GDP per capita is €31,400 per year. If we take the figures for Russia, then on average Russians receive €150 per month, in rubles – 11,280.00 rubles.

The standard of living in Latvia has increased markedly, largely due to increased trade relations with EU member states. Of course, it is difficult to fit into the canons of the developed countries of Central and Western Europe, but thanks to the hard work of Latvians, they cope with this. Every year, economic indicators rise by 4%, external debts are reduced, and industries are developing. About 1.9 million people live in Latvia; if we talk about their wealth, then only 15% can live in complete comfort. For others, challenges still remain: paying utilities, getting health insurance, getting a higher education.

Payment of expenses and allowance for repatriate

As you can see, repatriation to Latvia is not the easiest way to immigrate. There is no need to count on special benefits in Latvia. However, in accordance with the Repatriation Law, the state finances some expenses:

• payment of travel expenses in the amount of up to 711 EUR per person must be submitted within the first year;
• monthly unemployment benefit in the amount of 90% of the minimum wage established in Latvia - 387 EUR (2018). To receive unemployment benefits, a repatriate must, within a year after moving to Latvia, submit an application to the Repatriation Department of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs and register with the State Employment Agency (Latvian: Nodarbinatibas valsts agentura) as unemployed. The benefit is paid to the repatriate’s personal account in a Latvian bank for up to 6 months while you have unemployed status.

The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs may also provide additional financial assistance to repatriates. But only in cases related to adaptation and integration. The request is considered individually. Taking into account the information provided in the application. In addition, it is permissible to check the conditions at your place of residence.

Summary

We tried to explain to you how repatriation to Latvia takes place. Using the recommendations, you can prepare your own documents and follow the path of a repatriate.

You can also use the services of our company to collect a package of documents for repatriation to Latvia. Please write to us by e-mail: or call us at (+371) 22 32 46 45. The Telegram messenger is always available for communication @leglat.lv

Opening hours Monday - Friday: 09.30 - 17.00 (+/-1 Moscow time). We are located in Latvia. Additional contacts of our company.

Pros and cons of moving for permanent residence to Latvia

Since 1940, the Baltic states were part of the USSR; they acquired their independence in 1991, but continued close economic and political relations with Russia. To assess the real situation, you should familiarize yourself with its pros and cons. They are listed by Russians who have lived there for a long time.

pros

What ordinary people are most attracted to in Latvia are:

1. Free border with European countries. Any state that is part of the EU acquires the status of a simplified visa-free regime, so Latvians do not need to apply for a visa to Spain, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Germany, and so on.
2. Variety of styles in architecture. The “historic center” of Riga is included in the UNESCA heritage list - it is a picturesque area famous for its Gothic and Romanesque cathedrals. Baroque castles and basilicas highlight the uniqueness of the town of Kuldiga. Soviet and Latvian modernism can also be seen everywhere.
3. Favorite resort Jurmala. Citizens from Russia are well familiar with the resort on the Gulf of Riga; many preventive and therapeutic sanatoriums are open here. Many people know that Russian concerts and comedy programs have been held in Jurmala for a long time. Popular music shows “New Wave”, “KVN”, “Full House”, “Comedy Club” attract full houses quite often. All this happens in the Dzintari concert hall.
4. Good environmental and geological conditions. Latvia's natural resources include numerous lakes, forests and green plains. The ecology is one of the most favorable, as evidenced by the second place in the “Environmental Monitoring” list. Switzerland takes first place. Due to the moderation of climatic changes and large flat areas, large-scale cataclysms are excluded. There are many national parks on Latvian territory for family walks and lovers of pristine nature.
5. There are many Russians living there. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, many Russians remained in Latvian cities. According to the latest data, there are 600 thousand people. Therefore, it is easier for those who have moved to adapt; many Latvians speak Russian and also know English quite well. The official language is Latvian.
6. Cheaper to live than in other Schengen countries. In comparison with European Commonwealth countries, the price of housing, food, clothing and other things is much lower. The price level is approximately the same as in major Russian cities. At the same time, the quality of life is high, which corresponds to the regulations established by the European Parliament.

Rights of citizens who have received an ID card

A permanent residence permit in the Republic of Latvia gives its holders the following opportunities:

1. The right to enter educational institutions in the country, as well as start a business.
2. Receiving benefits and benefits provided by the state (find out about pensions in Latvia on our website).
3. Free education and medical care for children.
4. Work in Latvia and other EU countries without completing additional documents.
5. Visa-free visit to the Schengen countries (we recommend reading: rules for staying in the Schengen countries).
6. Simplified scheme for obtaining visas to the USA, Canada, Great Britain.
7. A year after receiving the ID, it is possible to obtain an international driving license.
8. Relocation of repatriate family members to Latvia within 2 years.

Rights and opportunities of repatriates in Latvia

Repatriates do not have the right to vote or be elected in election campaigns, or to work in government services.

We recommend reading: salaries in Latvia.

Ways to emigrate to Latvia from Russia in 2021

In 2021, the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs grants the right to Russians to apply for relocation. A special algorithm has been created for this; you should familiarize yourself with it in order to correctly carry out the registration procedure. There are several ways to help you obtain a residence permit.

You can immigrate if

• buy property;
• invest or start a business;
• take advantage of the repatriation program;
• move to reunite with family;
• stay after training;
• employment in a local company.

Buying a property

This option is suitable for wealthy Russians who have the opportunity to sell their home in Russia at a price of €250 thousand. This is the amount set by the Migration Service for obtaining a residence permit when purchasing a home or premises. If we take into account the cost of apartments in good areas of Riga or Jurmala, then its minimum is €135 thousand, maximum €335 thousand. Residential properties at this price have a modern design and convenient layout. In other cities - Jelgava, Liepaja, Ventspils, you can buy cheaper housing, but then you shouldn’t count on the resettlement program.

Investing in the economy

In the Latvian understanding, investing in the economy means opening a business or investing money in a business. Doing business has prospects here, since Latvia is the main transit destination among the Baltic states.

Here, large companies produce food products, and a large beer and non-alcoholic beverage production facility has been opened. It has its own chocolate factory, dairy and meat factories. Semi-finished products are popular in the country, which is why such production is relevant. Latvia is popular among European tourists, and therefore has a developed tourism and service sector. Russians can come and look at other options for starting a business.

There are two criteria to emigrate. This is the discovery:

• small business with an authorized capital of €35 thousand, the company must be profitable and the annual turnover must be €10 million;
• medium-sized enterprise with an investment amount of €150 thousand, turnover above €10 million.

In both cases, the owner must pay mandatory tax payments to the local budget from €12,500-28,000.

Repatriation Program and Family Reunification

Citizens of the Russian Federation who have at least one direct Latvian relative can apply for the repatriation program. This could be parents or grandparents. Family ties must be proven documented. Address this question to the Office of Migration and Citizenship Affairs of Riga or to the Latvian Consulate in your home state.

If one of the parents is Latvian, then the child receives citizenship within a year. This condition applies to the second spouse in the case of a mixed marriage. Usually the second spouse is from Estonia, Lithuania, or Poland. Of course, there are mixed marriages with Russians, Belarusians, and Ukrainians.

Labor residence permit

You can live in Latvia for a long time if you find a job in a local company. As already mentioned, there is unemployment, but every year it is noticeably decreasing. Since the country borders on Russia in the east, and Belarus in the southeast, the states closely cooperate in trade turnover. About €1.2 billion of exports and imports pass between them every year. Therefore, Russians and Belarusians can find employment in subsidiaries or partner companies. Also, recruiting companies offer enough vacancies that do not require special knowledge or high qualifications. Recently, Latvians have been leaving to work in developed European countries, so many jobs have become available. Russians can find work on their own on forums or on special websites. When a foreigner is accepted into the state, the receiving party issues a temporary residence permit.

Study in Latvia

After joining the EU, Latvian education began to be listed on the international market. In this regard, many graduates of Russian schools enter Riga universities, in faculties such as technical, agricultural, economic, financial, legal, and marketing. Popular among creative people are: the Academy of Art, the Academy of Artists, and the Music Academy. Many also enter the Institute of Air Navigation and the Institute of Transport and Communications. The cost is from €2000-3000 per year, which is very cheap compared to the Czech Republic, Estonia, and Poland. But if training serves as a bridge to further immigration, then this method is not the most reliable. The department may deny citizenship applications. To gain a foothold in the country, you will need to find a job in your specialty.

Repatriation to Latvia is a short path to citizenship

A question that interests foreign citizens in the first place. Does ethical repatriation to Latvia provide an opportunity to obtain citizenship? On this matter, everything is not clear.

First of all, if your father or mother was an ethnic Latvian/Livonian. Then you can immediately apply for Latvian citizenship based on your roots. The possible period for obtaining citizenship is 1 year.

Also, if your grandparents were of ethnic Latvian-Livonian nationality. In this case, the option of obtaining Latvian citizenship is postponed for five years. Subject to mandatory completion of the naturalization procedure.

Applications for repatriation are accepted at any consular mission of the Republic of Latvia abroad. You can also submit documents directly to the repatriation department of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

The process of obtaining a residence permit in Latvia

Each of the above methods serves as the first step to obtain citizenship. When in Riga, documents are submitted locally to the Riga Office of Migration and Citizenship Affairs (UDMC). In Russia, contact the nearest Latvian Embassy or Consulate; specialists at the Visa Centers will help you carry out the entire procedure for payment.

Required documents for residence permit

Each applicant is required to collect a package of documents according to the list:

• questionnaire for each family member;
• full-face photograph on a white background 3*4 for each;
• certificate of no criminal record with an apostille;
• medical documents confirming the absence of tuberculosis;
• marriage certificate with apostille;
• child's birth certificate with apostille;
• certificate of secondary education with an apostille (upon admission to a university);
• documentation confirming work experience (for employment);
• medical insurance;
• receipt of payment of duty.

Applicants submitting a real estate purchase application will need to attach additional documents:

• land deed, book to confirm ownership;
• a copy of the purchase and sale agreement;
• receipt, check for the purchase of real estate in the amount of €250,000 (in case of non-cash payment);
• bank certificate confirming the availability of the amount of money: for the owner €15,500, for the spouse €5,200, for a minor child €3,100;
• receipt for payment to the state budget in the amount of 5%, minimum €12,500 (only after approval of the residence permit).

The cost of obtaining a residence permit

For processing documents at the Migration Department, they pay for 30 working days - €150, for 10 working days - €300, for 5 working days - €450 from each family member. The payment for the production of a plastic residence permit card will range from €14-28. Fluorography in a special medical center costs €12 for a child, €25 for an adult. Medical insurance from €30-50.

Deadlines for receipt and validity

When submitting documents from Russia, you need to plan 2 weeks for the delivery of the package to the Riga Migration Service. Also, the period of receipt depends on payment of the fee and the corresponding period - 5, 10 or 30 days. At first, a residence permit is issued for 1 calendar year, then a request is made for an annual extension or for 4 years.

Family reunification and repatriation programs

A person whose descendants had Latvian citizenship can be considered a repatriate.

Sample of an old pre-war Latvian passport

To obtain a residence permit in this way, you must contact the repatriation department at the Office of Migration and Citizenship. If a person is located outside the Latvian state, he can apply to the Latvian consular department in the country of actual residence or stay with a similar request.

All identification documents confirming Latvian roots must be provided to the authorized bodies. But only a person whose grandparents were Latvians can be considered a repatriate, that is, the countdown goes back only three generations.

Together with the repatriate, his children and spouse can apply for a residence permit. Obtaining citizenship directly depends on the degree of relationship. If a person’s parents had a similar status, then he has the right to apply for citizenship after one year of residence in Latvia with a residence permit.

An example of a new sample passport for a Latvian citizen

If a grandfather or grandmother had a similar status, then the person must live in Latvia for at least 5 years to obtain citizenship. Family reunification is one of the most common methods of emigration to the territory of Latvia. If a person has close relatives living in this country, he can count on obtaining permanent residence in Latvia and citizenship of this country.

In this case, as in the case of repatriation programs, it is necessary to provide documents confirming the presence of family ties with Latvian citizens or persons who already have a residence permit.

Registration of citizenship in Latvia

You must live in the status of a residence permit for 5 years, then submit an application for a permanent residence permit. After 10 years, including residence in the status of residence permit and permanent residence, you can submit an application for citizenship. For Europeans, the period is 2 times less and is 5 years. Russians must write a waiver of residency in their native state. Such rules apply to Belarusians and Ukrainians. Residents of the Schengen area are allowed to have dual citizenship in participating countries.

Documentation

The prospects for Latvia's development as an EU state are promising. Russians who decide to move must submit a package of documents in the following order:

• application of the established form;
• Russian and foreign passports;
• renunciation of citizenship;
• confirmation of residence permit and permanent residence;
• bank statements;
• duty payment receipt;
• full face photo 3*4 cm – 3 pcs.;
• certificate of no criminal record, administrative fines;
• a certificate from the tax service confirming the absence of debt;
• documents on marital status.

Price

The state fee for payment is €29 for all family members. If representatives of the Visa Center accompany the process, you will pay additionally for their services.

Receipt time

The final stage is considered the longest. The commission carefully reviews the application for citizenship and the submitted documents. In practice, the period for obtaining a passport ranges from 6 months to 1 calendar year.

Documents to be submitted for a residence permit

The standard package of documentation that a future immigrant will need to obtain a temporary residence permit includes:

• a foreign passport, the validity of which expires no less than one year after submitting the documents;
• 4 photos;
• certificate of no criminal record in your home country;
• confirmation of a guaranteed place of residence in Latvia. For this, a lease agreement valid for at least a year or, at best, an extract from the state real estate register of Latvia on the right of ownership of housing is suitable;
• documentary evidence of a satisfactory state of health. The certificate can be obtained from a state medical institution in Latvia or from a private doctor who has the right to issue such documents;
• a certificate from the bank stating that the applicant has sufficient funds in his bank account for a normal life in Latvia;
• documents with which the applicant can justify his request for a temporary residence permit;
• documents confirming payment of all administrative fees.

We have reviewed the standard package of documents. As a rule, immigration authorities request additional documents, the list of which directly depends on the purpose for which the person intends to obtain immigration status. If the documents provided were received outside the European Union, they must be translated into Latvian. To do this, it is advisable to use the services of a specialized translation agency, where they can be certified with an apostille.

Parents should ensure that their minor children have birth certificates translated into Latvian and certified in the prescribed manner. Usually no other documents are required for minors, except in cases of obtaining a residence permit with only one of the parents. The absent parent will be required to provide written consent for their child to receive immigration status in Latvia. If for some reason it is not possible to draw up such a document, then the parent present must justify this with documentation. For example, a death certificate of the second parent, an extract from a court decision recognizing his incompetence, and so on. Documents, accordingly, must also be in Latvian and certified with an apostille.

When a minor receives a residence permit together with his guardian, an additional document will be confirmation of the official establishment of guardianship.

The immigrant must prove that he does not have an outstanding criminal record in his home country

Attitude towards Russians in Latvia

There have long been disputes between Russia related to the occupation of Latvia during the Soviet period. The Baltics claim that the rulers took illegal measures; historians respond that the USSR acted in accordance with international law. Today this topic is closed, but the damage to the Latvian economy in the period from 1940-1991 has been calculated, its numerical expression is €185 billion. Latvians have a hidden grudge against the Russians, but this is not demonstrated in any way in modern society. It must be said that Russian tourists often visit local beauty spots. And, according to reviews from those who moved, they do not feel any negativity or infringement of their rights in their new homeland.

In-demand professions and salaries for immigrants in Latvia

Before leaving for the Baltics, you should look at the vacancies that can accept immigrants. They do not immediately get jobs in highly paid positions - unless they are a programmer, translator, or international track driver. The most frequent advertisements are posted for positions with average salaries:

The cities of Latvia are small, their population does not exceed 100 thousand people, with the exception of Riga. Over 600 thousand people live here. Average earnings between the capital and other regions are different:

Visa centers of Latvia in Russia

When applying to the Latvian Visa Center to send documents for a residence permit or citizenship, use the Pony Express service or submit it in person. Current addresses in Moscow and St. Petersburg:

Visa Center in Moscow

Latvia Visa Application Center in St. Petersburg

Responsibilities of a Latvian repatriate

An obvious thing that many people don’t think about is the responsibilities of a repatriate in Latvia. Many repatriates expect to receive only benefits, forgetting to follow simple rules.

A repatriate, moving to a permanent place of residence in Latvia, is obliged to:

• in accordance with the Repatriation Law and at the time determined by the Repatriation Department, provide the necessary documents;
• To receive a document confirming the status of a repatriate, citizens of the Russian Federation must have a mark in their foreign passport. Which must be received by the passport and visa service about leaving for permanent residence in Latvia;
• Having a permanent residence permit (permanent residence permit) and staying outside Latvia, being absent without interruption for more than six months during a calendar year, the repatriate must provide an explanation to the Repatriation Department. Additionally, you must attach documents proving valid reasons.

Repatriates do not take the last point seriously. They usually say: we’ll see or we’ll come up with something. However, being absent from Latvia without a valid reason may lead to the cancellation of the issued residence permit.