LATVIA – Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs
«The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs» continues to process and issue identity documents – passport and identity card or eID card – on a first-come, first-served basis, i.e. clients do not need to make an appointment in advance to receive the service.
From May 2022, the Administration has deliberately shortened appointment times significantly in order to serve customers on a first-come, first-served basis. This allows us to serve a quarter more customers. For this reason, pre-registration times fill up very quickly, but the Administration reminds you that citizens’ and non-citizens’ passports and eID cards can be issued in the Queue every working day at all 29 branches of the Administration.
In order to make receiving the service as convenient and smooth as possible for customers, we suggest that customers follow 8 valuable guidelines:
- The ability to queue remotely using the Qticket mobile app has been implemented in 25 branches of the department. This allows you to save and plan your time – you can queue at home or at work, and only go to the branch to receive the service when the information available on the app indicates that the time for receiving the service is approaching.
- In order to ensure that the process of changing your identity document goes smoothly, we suggest that you pay attention to the expiry date of your passport or eID card and change the document in time. It is allowed to change your identity documents even before their expiry date, without restrictions.
- As long as a new identity document is produced, you do not have to worry about having to do without your passport or eID card if you need them for everyday use. If the document is still valid, you can continue to use it until a new one is issued.
- If a child has to be entered in the passport, the passport will have to be left at the office. You will need to leave your passport at the office for 10 days in order to have your child’s details entered in it. If you wish to have your child’s name entered in the passport, we suggest that you ask a member of staff to do so at the time the document is issued, so that you do not have to do this later.
- If you plan to make a new identity document because your previous identity document was stolen, you must first report the theft of your identity document to the State Police and then come to the Administration to make a new passport or eID card.
- If you lose your document, we recommend that you look for it carefully at home first, as the loss of your passport or eID card can result in a fine of up to 70 euros.
- Finally, in order for the service to run smoothly, we suggest that you prepare your identity documents in advance, which must be submitted or presented before receiving the service. If you plan to pay the state fee when the document is issued (this can also be done when you receive the document), prepare a bank card as well.
- In order to apply for a residence permit, you must register in advance in the “Online registration” section of the Administration’s website. The only exceptions are the Balva, Gulbeni, Preili and Valka offices, where both the passport, eID card and residence permit are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
