Latvia’s parliament votes to amend residence permit rules for Russians, Belarusians

September 16, BPN. Latvian MPs approved the first reading of amendments to change the procedure for extending temporary residence permits for Belarusians and Russians, the parliament’s press office reported.

Citizens of both countries would not be able to extend temporary residence permits issued based on investment or purchase of real estate in Latvia.

The amendments have been drafted in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine and as a part of the EU’s individual and economic sanctions against Russia and Belarus. They will take effect after parliament passes the second reading.

Belarusians would be able to apply for a six-month residence permit once a year if they are family members of Latvian nationals/Latvia’s aliens or a foreigner with a permanent residence permit in Latvia. Aliens (nepilsoņi) is a special status given to former USSR citizens remaining in Latvia without any voting rights.

Belarusian individual entrepreneurs based in Latvia, students, patients of Latvian clinics and startupers would be able to request a residence permit for a period up to five years.

Russians would be able to apply for a residence permit if they can demonstrate family ties with Latvian nationals/aliens, including spouses, pensioned parents or children.

At the same time, the MPs left the possibility of obtaining residence permits for family reunification, international protection, and employment, in line with European Union’s laws, national interests or humanitarian reasons.