A Latvian passport is an identity card of a citizen of Latvia, which provides equal rights with other EU citizens for settling life on the European territory. Citizens of the state use two types of identity cards: a foreign passport when making visa-free travel to more than 175 countries of the world and an ID card for carrying out various transactions within the EU, for example, obtaining a bank loan or receiving medical care in European clinics.
Obtaining a Latvian passport
The migration legislation of Latvia provides for the possibility of registration of citizenship status by foreign applicants. Depending on the grounds, the period for considering documents and making a decision differs – the minimum can be 4 months, the maximum – 10 years. The conditions for obtaining a passport are specified in the Latvian Citizenship Law. The most common options for registering the status of a Latvian citizen are repatriation and naturalization.
Naturalization procedure
A Latvian passport is also issued based on the standard naturalization procedure, which requires long-term legal residence in the country – 5 years with a residence permit and 5 years with permanent residence. Subject to the statutory period of stay in the country, the applicant is entitled to apply for citizenship The assignment of the status of a citizen of Latvia and the provision of a passport provides for the successful passing of the exam in the knowledge of the national language and renunciation of the current citizenship.
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Repatriation procedure
Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and citizens of other CIS countries enjoy the right to obtain Latvian citizenship in the shortest possible time. According to Latvian legislation, it is possible to become a citizen in just 4–12 months, while retaining the existing citizenship. Accelerated terms for issuing a passport are provided for by the current repatriation program – the return to the territory of the country of Latvian citizens living in other states.
The basis for undergoing the procedure for restoring citizenship is the presence of a close relative for those who:
- was a citizen of Latvia until June 17, 1940;
- left the territory of Latvia from June 17, 1940, to May 4, 1990, fleeing the occupation regime of the USSR or Germany, or was deported from the country and did not return to the permanent residence until May 4, 1990;
- is Latvian by nationality;
- lived in the country from 1881 to 1940.
The reasons for moving to a permanent place of residence in Latvia may be:
- marriage with a citizen of the country;
- getting education;
- employment;
- starting a business or investment.
The result of passing any of the above procedures is the assignment of a certificate of citizenship, which gives the right to issue a passport and other internal documents of an EU citizen. For personal identification within the EU countries, a Latvian ID card is sufficient, outside – a passport is required. The Office of Citizenship and Immigration Affairs is in charge of issuing Latvian citizenship. The right to submit documents applies to applicants over the age of 15 years. Passports can also be requested for young children if required for travel purposes.
Advantages of Latvian passport
- Freedom of residence in the European Union;
- Education in European universities;
- Traveling around the world without visas;
- Quality medical care;
- Legal employment in EU countries;
- Access to all services of European banks.
