Moving to Latvia

Latvia is very attractive for emigrants from Russia and other neighboring countries. A small Baltic country has access to the sea coast, it is distinguished by the simplicity of the procedure for registering its own business, low compared to European prices, and a quiet and measured course of life.

For Russians, the language barrier is completely absent, the vast majority of Latvians speak Russian fluently, which is an additional incentive to emigrate from Russia for permanent residence in Latvia.

A little about the country

Located in the northeastern part of Europe, Latvia is washed in the west by the waves of the Baltic Sea. The territory of Latvia, with an area of ​​64,500 km2, is inhabited by 2.4 million people.

Of them:

• 51,8% ethnic Latvians;
• 33,8% Russians;
• 4,5% Belarusians;
• 3,4% Ukrainians;
• 2,3% Poles.

The territory of the republic is divided into twenty-six counties or districts, the capital city is Riga.

The transition from continental to humid maritime climate in Latvia has a positive impact on the health of people living here permanently. After the entry of the republic into the European Union, the standard of living of its citizens has significantly increased and is currently higher than in Russia. Investment in the economy has led to an increase in income levels compared to European from 48% to 68%.

More than fifty percent of the population prefers to have a salary as the main source of livelihood, which averages around 860 euros per month. The minimum wage in Latvia is set at 380 euros, which is more than three times higher than the same Russian indicator. at 110 euros.

Various soups dominate in Latvian cuisine. Croutons are served with a soup made from beer, boiled with egg yolks and caraway seeds. For dessert, mousses made from milk processing products are served. Fish and meat dishes made from cod, herring, herring, pork, veal and beef are very popular. Fried cracklings with boiled peas are one of the favorite national dishes.

Where to begin

In order to move to Latvia from Russia or other neighboring countries, for example, from Uzbekistan, you need to apply for a residence permit in this country. In addition to legal residence in the Latvian territory, this document makes it possible to carry out visa-free travel to the countries of the Schengen zone, since Latvia is a member of the European Union.

Taking into account the cultural and family ties preserved during the period of joining the USSR, a residence permit is given not only on the basis of a close relationship, but even in the case of a simple school course in Latvian.

A residence permit is issued for a period of one to five years, but it is required to prove your right to reside annually.

In general, in order to obtain the right to reside in Latvia, you must visit the consulate of that country.

The following documents will be required:

• Application of the established form;
• Passport valid for at least six months;
• Copies of pages of the internal passport with registration and personal data;
• A questionnaire with personal data;
• 1 photo in color;
• Confirmation of no criminal record;
• Bank statement or other documents confirming the availability of money for expenses;
• A document of rent, ownership of real estate or a residence permit from the owner of the property.

Additional documents may also be required to justify the purpose of residence in the country, for example, a marriage certificate.

All papers are translated into Latvian and certified by a notary. In a medical center accredited on the territory of Latvia, you should take a certificate of the absence of an active form of tuberculosis disease. During the last twelve months, you must have a stable income, documented.

Consular officers are traditionally friendly towards applicants, but they may refuse to obtain a residence permit for well-grounded reasons:

• The presence of a photograph of inadequate quality;
• Expiration of the validity of the documentation;
• Doubtful origin of funds;
• Providing false information.

Difficulties in extending a residence permit may arise:

• In case of improper household or business behavior;
• Getting into the field of view of law enforcement agencies;
• Receiving funds in an illegal way;
• If you do not want to learn the Latvian language at an elementary everyday level.

Methods of immigration to Latvia

There are some differences in the concepts of migration, immigration and emigration. An emigrant is a person who has left the country in which he was born, in the host state he is considered an immigrant, the process of movement itself is migration. The immigration policy of Latvia provides for about twenty reasons for moving to a permanent place of residence in this country.

To speed up this procedure helps:

• Impeccable business reputation;
• Good financial opportunities;
• Knowledge of the Latvian language;
• The presence of family ties.

The emergence of even minor doubts about the applicant can seriously complicate the adoption of a positive decision to issue him the necessary documents. The impression of a candidate can be spoiled by gaps in the financial history and biography, even such an insignificant, at first glance, detail as the mobile phone that rang during the interview at the consulate.

At the first stage of immigration, the applicant receives a temporary residence permit for a period of one year. To obtain a permanent residence permit, residence in the territory of Latvia is required for at least five years. After that, it is possible to apply for obtaining Latvian citizenship to persons whose homeland is the countries of the European Union. To obtain this opportunity, citizens of other states must reside in the territory of Latvia. at least ten years.

The most widespread are the following reasons for moving to Latvia:

• Work contract in a Latvian company;
• Investment investments in the economy;
• Education in higher educational institutions;
• Purchase of real estate objects;
• Marriage and family reunification;
• Repatriation program.

Employment

You can get a job in Latvia both through a variety of recruiting firms and by acting independently. This method of immigration makes it possible to reside in the country for five years, then the obtained residence permit is revised.

It is important to understand that priority is given to Latvian specialists, and you can apply for a vacancy in the labor market only if it has not been occupied by a Latvian citizen for thirty days. The employer takes care of all the hassle of issuing an invitation to work for a foreigner.

Investment in the economy

Persons with financial independence can obtain a Latvian residence permit by placing a deposit in one of the banks of the republic in the amount of at least 286,000 euros for a five-year period. The same goal can be achieved by investing in a business project or by purchasing shares of a Latvian company. for 36,000 euros.

The Latvian authorities encourage this method of immigration, as it contributes to the economic development of the country.

Getting an education

The Latvian education system meets European standards. Public and private colleges and universities accept foreign students.Studying at Latvian universities, in addition to the right to live, allows for internships in European countries and in the future to get a job there. The applicant must be fluent in the Latvian language and have a certificate of secondary education.

Acquisition of real estate

You can obtain the right to reside in Latvia by purchasing a property in this country, the price of which is at least 250 thousand euros... Minimum inventory cost - 80 thousand euros.

The advantages of purchasing real estate in Latvia include:

• Ease of execution of the purchase and sale agreement;
• Possibility of subsequent renting out of housing;
• Visa-free travel within the Schengen countries.

The disadvantages include the high cost of this method of immigration, the need to overhaul the building at the expense of homeowners and the mandatory payment of all utility bills and taxes.

Marriage and family reunification

Immigration to Latvia through marriage and family reunification is a fairly common reason for moving from Russia and other nearby countries. Marriage with a Latvian citizen allows you to obtain the citizenship of the country after five years of residence. This circumstance refers to the merits of this type of immigration.

The disadvantages include the need to translate documents into Latvian and their subsequent naturalization. The dissolution of the marriage union does not create any significant problems for the former spouses.

Parents, children, husband or wife, as well as relatives up to the third generation of a Latvian citizen can obtain a residence permit for family reunification reasons. Family ties must be documented.

Repatriation program

Persons whose ancestors possessed Latvian citizenship can obtain a residence permit under this program. A repatriate is a person whose grandparents were Latvians. A repatriate can become a citizen of Latvia in just a year, if his father or mother were Latvians.

Life in Latvia after immigration

Relatively low prices allow the immigrant to provide himself with a food basket, even receiving the minimum wage. The only difficulty people face after moving to Latvia is finding a high-paying job. The unemployment rate is quite high here. Given this circumstance, many visitors prefer to create their own business in this country.

Alisa: After moving to Latvia, I was faced with the fact that Russian people are simply not respected here, there are a lot of problems at the everyday level. Education in universities is carried out exclusively in the Latvian language, which is quite difficult to study. Such difficulties neutralize the higher standard of living in comparison with the Russian one.

Mikhail: Life in Riga or even more so in Jurmala after Moscow resembles a remote province, not everyone likes it. It is almost impossible to get a job without knowing the Latvian language. The only way out is to open your own business.

Alexei:Acquisition of real estate in Jurmala does not justify itself from an economic point of view. After the end of the short summer season, the town is completely calm, you can howl out of boredom. Food prices are significantly lower than Russian prices, with an unquestionably high quality, which commands respect. It is not so easy to open a business; taxes are very high.

In conclusion, it can be noted that Latvia is one of the most attractive countries for moving to a permanent place of residence. The settlers note the mild pleasant climate, favorable geographic location, affordable prices, and the European mentality of the population. The procedure for obtaining a residence permit is as transparent as possible.