LATVIA – RIGA
The Saeima has supported amendments to the Immigration Law allowing Latvian authorities to withdraw temporary residence permits (TPLs) from former non-citizens of Latvia (not to be confused with stateless persons) who have acquired Russian citizenship.
– Pass the Latvian language test for category A2. This is basic knowledge, but at the age of 70 such a test may not be feasible. You can only be exempted from the test if you have been diagnosed with a functional impairment.
– Proof of sufficient financial means in the amount of the minimum wage, i.e. EUR 500 per month. It is likely that the pension of the elderly is less than this amount, so relatives can submit a notarised statement that they will pay their parents’ living expenses.
– Parents of Latvian citizens and non-citizens can get a temporary residence permit without passing a language test. They need to prove that they have funds of 500 euros per month and lose the right to social assistance and free medical care.
Author’s Note: It is not clear what the unemployed will do. Also, It is unclear what will happen to their 2nd and 3rd pension tier savings. Back in 2019, the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs noted that the problem remains acute – about 300 people are forcibly deprived of Latvian citizenship every year. Also, despite the fact that Latvian legislation does not provide for dual citizenship with the Russian Federation, several thousands of Latvian citizens also hold Russian passports.
The source of information: NRA
1Non-citizens are former citizens of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic who were deprived of Latvian citizenship after the collapse of the USSR on the grounds that they were not born on Latvian territory before 1940. Non-citizens are de jure citizens of the USSR.
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