Legal regime under which Ukrainians can stay in Latvia

Temporary protection

From January 1, 2023, residents of Ukraine who apply for the status of temporary protection in the Republic of Latvia and obtain a document confirming this status will be issued a temporary residence permit for a period of two years.

For those residents of Ukraine who acquired the status of temporary protection in the Republic of Latvia in 2022, long-term visas and temporary residence permits issued until December 31, 2022 will be valid until March 4, 2025.

In Latvia, a special law on the status of the civilian population of Ukraine has been adopted and is in force, so there is no need to apply for refugee status.

The documents will remain valid on the territory of the Republic of Latvia, but the resident of Ukraine will have the opportunity to request a new temporary residence permit in the following cases:

·       a person needs to leave the territory of the Republic of Latvia (in cases where a person refuses the status of temporary protection in the Republic of Latvia and leaves for another country or returns to Ukraine, a new temporary residence permit will not be issued)

·       the document (visa or residence permit) issued to the person is lost or has become invalid due to damage or alteration of the data specified in it

·       the person was previously issued a visa, but needs to obtain a residence permit to use the electronic signature capabilities, or the previously issued residence permit has expired, but the person wants to continue using the electronic signature capabilities.

An application for obtaining a residence permit can be submitted (in person) to the Riga Center for the Support of Residents of Ukraine at 9 Pales Street, or sent by mail to any territorial department of the Office for Citizenship and Migration Affairs, or in electronic form, by signing the attached documents to the application, with a secure electronic signature, if the person has one.

Persons under temporary protection in Latvia have the right to:

Ø freedom of movement and residence in Latvia

Ø access to the labor market

Ø access to medical care

Ø social assistance

Ø access to education, etc.

Appropriate visas or residence permits are issued for family members of Ukrainian civilians.

Visa procedure

Citizens of Ukraine who have a biometric passport do not need a visa for the first 90 days. Residents without a biometric passport will be issued a visa free of charge.

You have the right to apply for a long-term visa with the right to work or to apply for asylum in Latvia. A long-term visa will be issued for one year. The possibility of extending the visa will depend on the further development of the situation in Ukraine.

You can apply for a visa:

·       In the Center for Support of Residents of Ukraine, str. Kalku, 1, Riga

·       Territorial offices of outside Riga

·       by post or courier, sending the documents to the OCMA Migration Department in Riga, Čiekurkalna 1.līnija 1, k-3, LV-1026 or any territorial department outside Riga.

Documents required for visa issuance:

·       Copy of passport (section with data and pages with visas and/or border crossing marks).

·       When sending documents by mail, a photo of 35x45 mm is required. A photo is not required when submitting documents in person.

·       Questionnaire for a long-term visa.

Outgoing state and municipal services are provided in 138 centers (VPVKAC). They provide assistance to Ukrainians in obtaining visas, residence permits and registration of natural persons. The centers also provide consultations and assistance in the registration of electronic services.

If a citizen of Ukraine has exceeded or is approaching the end of the period of stay in Latvia, no administrative penalty is imposed, but citizens of Ukraine who have exceeded the period of stay should apply to the Directorate of Citizenship and Migration to obtain a visa for legal stay in Latvia.