Latvian Interior Ministry proposes that reissuance of residence permits to Russian, Belarusian citizens be suspended until June 30, 2023

RIGA. Aug 18 (Interfax/BNS) - The Latvian Interior Ministry has drafted amendments to the Immigration Law which would suspend the reissuance of residence permits to citizens of Russia and Belarus until June 30, 2023, the BNS news agency said on Thursday.

The amendments are being coordinated with other agencies before their submission to the parliament and the government of Latvia.

For now, the interim provisions of the Immigration Law restrict the issuance of first residence permits to citizens of Russia and Belarus, BNS said.

The amendments say that people wishing to extend their stay in Latvia will have to apply for permanent residence in the EU and prove their knowledge of the official language and the availability of sufficient funds.

Restrictions will also apply to long-term visas. Visas will be issued to transborder cargo and passenger transportation companies to accommodate the needs of the Latvian economy, BNS said.

The amendments will affect the ability of employers to continue labor relations with employees from Russia and Belarus, except those envisaged by EU legal acts, the ministry said.

As of July 1, 2022, there were 2,180 workers, 144 officials registered in the commercial register, and 22 investors from Russia and Belarus with valid residence permits in Latvia. As of August 1, 2022, there were 2,099 citizens of Russia and Belarus with valid work visas in Latvia.