In 2022, 4 800 new immigrants obtained a residence permit longer than 12 months in Latvia (excluding EU citizens), ‑11% compared to 2021. This figure comprises 43% labour migrants, 17% family members (including accompanying family), 29% who came for education reasons and 11% other migrants. Around 600 short-term permits were issued to international students and 1 500 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 3 300 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2022, a 48% increase compared to 2021. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Ukraine, Russia and India were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2022. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Viet Nam registered the strongest increase (500) and Ukraine the largest decrease (‑500) in flows to Latvia compared to the previous year.
In 2023, the number of first asylum applicants increased by 200%, to reach around 1 600. The majority of applicants came from Syria (300), Afghanistan (300) and Iran (200). The largest increase since 2022 concerned nationals of Syria (300) and the largest decrease nationals of Russia (‑75). Of the 270 decisions taken in 2023, 44% were positive.
Emigration of Latvian citizens to OECD countries increased by 6% in 2022, to 12 000. Approximately 24% of this group migrated to Germany, 14% to the Netherlands and 10% to Norway.
In 2022, several changes to the Immigration Law were enacted, restricting the entry and stay of citizens from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. The amendments passed in September 2022 declared that permanent residence permits held by Russian citizens who were previously Latvian citizens or non-citizens would be invalidated as of 1 September 2023. To be eligible to continue their stay in the Republic of Latvia, these individuals must pass a language test (level A2) and apply for either a new permanent residence permit or long-term European Union resident status. In April 2023, additional amendments were introduced to facilitate this transition and accommodate possible delays in the application review process, considering the relatively high number of impacted persons (up to 25 000). Further amendments were approved later in the year to extend the language exam period for permanent residency by two years, provided obliged parties had attempted to pass the test. In February 2024, the Constitutional Court upheld the constitutionality of the proficiency requirements.
In June 2023, Latvia introduced amendments to the Repatriation Law aimed at preventing the misuse of residence permits by individuals lacking genuine ties to the country and safeguarding internal security. These changes halted residence permit issuance for individuals with Latvian or Livonian ancestry but lacking meaningful ties to Latvia, including no regular contact with relatives, no prior visits to Latvia despite European travel, and no proof of planned future in Latvia. This measure aimed to align residence permit issuance with the law’s original intent of facilitating repatriation for Latvian descendants genuinely seeking connection with their homeland, rather than solely for the purpose of utilising Schengen travel benefits or other reasons, such as evading mobilisation campaigns by the Russian Federation.
In June 2023, amendments to the Immigration Law were approved to implement changes to the EU Blue Card following the recast of the Directive, giving EU Blue Card holders more rights in relation to employment and mobility in the EU.
In December 2023 requirements were eased for economic operators who plan to employ third-country workers in Latvia in non-regulated professions.
In January 2024 the minimum wage required for foreigners who have received the right to employment were adjusted. In all sectors of the economy, the minimum wage will be the average wage in the sector or the minimum wage.
In response to heightened border security concerns due the rising numbers of irregular and attempted crossings along the Latvian – Belarusian border, Latvia approved amendments to the Law on the State Border and the State Border Guard Law, granting border authorities additional power to prevent irregular entries. Moreover, a strengthened border security regime was put in place in selected administrative territories from 11 August 2023, to 12 September 2024.
Concurrently, Latvia embarked on initiatives to improve services for foreign nationals. In 2023, the Society Integration Foundation began developing the One‑Stop Agency (OSA) for foreigners, providing comprehensive support to third-country nationals and international protection recipients relocating to Latvia.
For further information: www.pmlp.gov.lv | www.csp.gov.lv | www.emn.lv
