Attention! The information in this article is out of date. For up-to-date information on residence permit in Latvia, taking into account the latest changes in legislation, see here: www.homesoverseas.ru/articles/4967
To obtain a residence permit in Latvia, you need to know and comply with certain requirements. In case of a positive decision, not only the owner of the property has the right to obtain a residence permit, but also his spouse, as well as children who have not reached the age of majority. Adult children can obtain a residence permit on the same basis as their parents, that is, by investing in real estate in the country. Visas Latvia is a member state of the Schengen Agreement, therefore Russians need to obtain a visa to enter the country. For its registration, the applicant must provide a standard package of documents for obtaining a Schengen visa. Applications and documents for obtaining a Latvian visa are accepted at the consulates of Latvia in Moscow, Kaliningrad, St. Petersburg and Pskov, at the consulate of Hungary in Yekaterinburg, as well as at visa centers in Russia. The opening of a new Latvian Visa Application Center in Moscow has made it much easier to obtain a visa. Previously, it was possible to apply for a visa in Moscow at the Latvian consulate on a first-come, first-served basis, which, given the growing number of Russian visitors in Latvia, created certain difficulties. Latvia issues a short-term type C visa in case it is a tourist or business trip made for a short period of time. Having received such a visa, a foreign citizen has the right to stay in Latvia for up to 90 days within six months. On a long-term Latvian visa category D, a visit can last more than three months within six months. Category C and D visas can be single-entry and multiple-entry. Temporary residence permit in Latvia On July 1, 2010, the Latvian authorities announced that buyers of real estate will be able to obtain a residence permit in the country for a period not exceeding five years. In this case, the main requirement for obtaining a residence permit by non-residents is the purchase of one or more real estate objects, with the exception of agricultural land, with a value of 143,000 euros in Riga, Jurmala and other large cities of Latvia. It is also possible to obtain a residence permit in Latvia when investing in real estate in the amount of 72,000 euros, only in this case the real estate object must be located outside the Riga region , for example, in such small cities as Talsi, Jelgava, Cesis, etc. During the period of this law additional amendments were made to it. In addition to all of the above conditions, one more thing must be observed - the total cadastral value of real estate purchased in Riga , the Riga planning region or cities of republican significance, at the time of purchase must be at least 30,000 lats (about 42,000 euros). And the total cadastral value of housing purchased outside these areas at the time of purchase must be at least 10,000 lats (approximately 14,000 euros). If the cadastral value of the objects is lower than the indicated amounts, it is necessary to present the conclusion of a certified appraiser, confirming that the total market value of real estate is not less than the minimum amount of real estate acquisition established by law. Housing can be bought from a natural or legal person in Latvia or another EU country, as well as from foreign citizens who have a residence permit in Latvia. The money for the purchase must necessarily go to the seller's Latvian account, all settlements are carried out only by wire transfer. An application for a residence permit is submitted at the Latvian embassy or consulate general in Russian cities. In addition to the application, the applicant must provide a package of documents - a passport, a completed application form, a photograph, a police clearance certificate, an insurance policy, as well as documents confirming the purchase of real estate (sale and purchase agreement, ownership, copies of payment documents). Another important requirement for granting a residence permit is the financial security of the applicant - foreigners need to have at least 10,000 euros in a bank account, about 3,000 euros for a spouse and about 1,000 euros for a child. If one of the required documents is missing or incorrect information is indicated, then ownership of real estate cannot guarantee obtaining a residence permit. Documents and an application for a residence permit, as a rule, are considered for about a month, the state fee will be about 100 euros. In case of urgent processing, the cost rises to 240 euros, and the application will be processed within ten working days, or up to 315 euros - within five working days. Having received permission to provide a residence permit, the applicant within three months must come to Latvia on a single-entry Latvian visa issued in Russia. The residence permit is issued in the form of an ID-card, which is produced within ten days at the local office of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. The obtained residence permit is renewed annually. This can also be done at the local office of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs by submitting documents for extension no later than 30 days before the expiry of the residence permit. All taxes for real estate in Latvia at the time of submission of documents for the extension of the residence permit must be paid. The residence permit expires if the property is sold. If you have a residence permit, the Latvian authorities do not limit the time of stay on the territory of the country, in addition, it is allowed to work in Latvia. In the countries of the Schengen zone, the holder of a Latvian residence permit can stay for up to 90 days within six months. But since, according to European legislation, the registration of staying in the country for more than 90 days is rather blurred, having arrived in Latvia, you can go by car to other European countries and stay there without restriction. There are other ways to obtain a residence permit in Latvia, for example, through investments in the authorized capital of a company in the country. But today Russians prefer to obtain a residence permit in Latvia precisely through the purchase of housing. Permanent residence permit Foreigners who have legally resided in Latvia for five years can apply for a permanent residence. During these five years, the applicant for permanent residence should not be absent from the country for more than a year, and leaving the country should not last more than six months. Having a permanent residence permit, foreigners have all the rights and benefits as citizens of the country, except for the right to vote. To obtain a permanent residence, foreigners need to pass an examination for knowledge of the Latvian language not lower than A2 level. Citizenship The citizenship of Latvia is rather difficult to obtain, it can be done either through naturalization, or for special merits by order of the Saeima. To obtain citizenship through naturalization, you must legally reside in the country for more than five years and pass a test of knowledge of the Latvian language, history and the national anthem of Latvia. Each exam can be taken only three times, then you need to reapply for citizenship. HomesOverseas.ru
To obtain a residence permit in Latvia, you need to know and comply with certain requirements. In case of a positive decision, not only the owner of the property has the right to obtain a residence permit, but also his spouse, as well as children who have not reached the age of majority. Adult children can obtain a residence permit on the same basis as their parents, that is, by investing in real estate in the country. Visas Latvia is a member state of the Schengen Agreement, therefore Russians need to obtain a visa to enter the country. For its registration, the applicant must provide a standard package of documents for obtaining a Schengen visa. Applications and documents for obtaining a Latvian visa are accepted at the consulates of Latvia in Moscow, Kaliningrad, St. Petersburg and Pskov, at the consulate of Hungary in Yekaterinburg, as well as at visa centers in Russia. The opening of a new Latvian Visa Application Center in Moscow has made it much easier to obtain a visa. Previously, it was possible to apply for a visa in Moscow at the Latvian consulate on a first-come, first-served basis, which, given the growing number of Russian visitors in Latvia, created certain difficulties. Latvia issues a short-term type C visa in case it is a tourist or business trip made for a short period of time. Having received such a visa, a foreign citizen has the right to stay in Latvia for up to 90 days within six months. On a long-term Latvian visa category D, a visit can last more than three months within six months. Category C and D visas can be single-entry and multiple-entry. Temporary residence permit in Latvia On July 1, 2010, the Latvian authorities announced that buyers of real estate will be able to obtain a residence permit in the country for a period not exceeding five years. In this case, the main requirement for obtaining a residence permit by non-residents is the purchase of one or more real estate objects, with the exception of agricultural land, with a value of 143,000 euros in Riga, Jurmala and other large cities of Latvia. It is also possible to obtain a residence permit in Latvia when investing in real estate in the amount of 72,000 euros, only in this case the real estate object must be located outside the Riga region , for example, in such small cities as Talsi, Jelgava, Cesis, etc. During the period of this law additional amendments were made to it. In addition to all of the above conditions, one more thing must be observed - the total cadastral value of real estate purchased in Riga , the Riga planning region or cities of republican significance, at the time of purchase must be at least 30,000 lats (about 42,000 euros). And the total cadastral value of housing purchased outside these areas at the time of purchase must be at least 10,000 lats (approximately 14,000 euros). If the cadastral value of the objects is lower than the indicated amounts, it is necessary to present the conclusion of a certified appraiser, confirming that the total market value of real estate is not less than the minimum amount of real estate acquisition established by law. Housing can be bought from a natural or legal person in Latvia or another EU country, as well as from foreign citizens who have a residence permit in Latvia. The money for the purchase must necessarily go to the seller's Latvian account, all settlements are carried out only by wire transfer. An application for a residence permit is submitted at the Latvian embassy or consulate general in Russian cities. In addition to the application, the applicant must provide a package of documents - a passport, a completed application form, a photograph, a police clearance certificate, an insurance policy, as well as documents confirming the purchase of real estate (sale and purchase agreement, ownership, copies of payment documents). Another important requirement for granting a residence permit is the financial security of the applicant - foreigners need to have at least 10,000 euros in a bank account, about 3,000 euros for a spouse and about 1,000 euros for a child. If one of the required documents is missing or incorrect information is indicated, then ownership of real estate cannot guarantee obtaining a residence permit. Documents and an application for a residence permit, as a rule, are considered for about a month, the state fee will be about 100 euros. In case of urgent processing, the cost rises to 240 euros, and the application will be processed within ten working days, or up to 315 euros - within five working days. Having received permission to provide a residence permit, the applicant within three months must come to Latvia on a single-entry Latvian visa issued in Russia. The residence permit is issued in the form of an ID-card, which is produced within ten days at the local office of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. The obtained residence permit is renewed annually. This can also be done at the local office of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs by submitting documents for extension no later than 30 days before the expiry of the residence permit. All taxes for real estate in Latvia at the time of submission of documents for the extension of the residence permit must be paid. The residence permit expires if the property is sold. If you have a residence permit, the Latvian authorities do not limit the time of stay on the territory of the country, in addition, it is allowed to work in Latvia. In the countries of the Schengen zone, the holder of a Latvian residence permit can stay for up to 90 days within six months. But since, according to European legislation, the registration of staying in the country for more than 90 days is rather blurred, having arrived in Latvia, you can go by car to other European countries and stay there without restriction. There are other ways to obtain a residence permit in Latvia, for example, through investments in the authorized capital of a company in the country. But today Russians prefer to obtain a residence permit in Latvia precisely through the purchase of housing. Permanent residence permit Foreigners who have legally resided in Latvia for five years can apply for a permanent residence. During these five years, the applicant for permanent residence should not be absent from the country for more than a year, and leaving the country should not last more than six months. Having a permanent residence permit, foreigners have all the rights and benefits as citizens of the country, except for the right to vote. To obtain a permanent residence, foreigners need to pass an examination for knowledge of the Latvian language not lower than A2 level. Citizenship The citizenship of Latvia is rather difficult to obtain, it can be done either through naturalization, or for special merits by order of the Saeima. To obtain citizenship through naturalization, you must legally reside in the country for more than five years and pass a test of knowledge of the Latvian language, history and the national anthem of Latvia. Each exam can be taken only three times, then you need to reapply for citizenship. HomesOverseas.ru
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