The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs informs that according to the law “Amendments to the Immigration Law” adopted on 7 April 2022, the issuance of first-time temporary residence permits to citizens of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation will be discontinued as of 11 April 2022.
The restriction under the law applies both to positive decisions on issuing temporary residence permits that have already been taken and to pending applications.
- As provided for in the Immigration Law:
- Applicants for a European Union Blue Card,
- persons who have applied for family reunification,
- persons applying to study at an accredited university or college or for research work will still be able to obtain first-time temporary residence permits.
The restrictions will also not apply to specialists or managers in an enterprise in which at least 51 per cent of the capital is held by legal persons or nationals of a Member State of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development or which is directly or indirectly controlled by a national of a Member State of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development as the beneficial owner and which transfers activities to the Republic of Latvia from the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus.
The limitation on the issuance of temporary residence permits is in force until 30 June 2023.
The amendments to the Immigration Law also provide for broader possibilities to refuse or revoke residence permits if the foreigner has publicly glorified, denied or justified genocide, crimes against humanity, crimes against peace, war crimes, has provided substantial financial, material or propaganda support, or other forms of support to persons or states that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence or constitutional order of democratic states, or the alien himself has committed such an act or has otherwise acted contrary to the interests of national security or public order and safety
The full text of the Law can be found here: https://bit.ly/3868BOq