Latvia - Apply for Citizenship Through Naturalization

ProcedureEdit

Submit the application for naturalization along with all other required documents.
You must pass the examinations in the proficiency of the Latvian language and the knowledge of the basic principles of the Satversme (the Constitution) of the Republic of Latvia, the text of the national anthem and the history of Latvia.
Another document you must submit is a statement renuncing your former citizenship. You must have received an expatriation permit from the country of your former citizenship, if such a permit is provided for by the laws of that country, or have received a document certifying the loss of citizenship.
The final step in the naturalization procedure would be the signing of the oath of allegiance to the Republic of Latvia, making you officialy a Latvian Citizen.
Once the citizenship of Latvia has been granted a person must receive the extract of the decree of the Cabinet of Ministers. It is a document attesting that the citizenship of Latvia has been granted and producing this document a person can receive a passport of a citizen of the Republic of Latvia.

Examinations as prescribed by the Law on Citizenship

Language Proficiency

PART 1: Written - an applicant executes a test to check his/her comprehension of the text listened to, executes a test to check his/her comprehension of the texts having been read, fills in a form, writes a letter on a topic of everyday life (the time provided is 90 minutes);
PART 2: Oral - the examination commission interviews an applicant on topics of everyday life (the time provided is 15 minutes).

Note: Those applicants, who have reached the age of 65, takes only the oral part of the examination of the proficiency of the Latvian language.

Knowledge

PART 1: Written - an applicant executes a test consisting of 18 questions.
PART 2: Oral - an applicant answers one question on the basic principles of the Satversme (the Constitution) of the Republic of Latvia and the other one on the history of Latvia.

Note:

Applicants would also be asked to write and recite the text of the national anthem.
A special procedure for taking examinations has been prescribed for those applicants, who are disabled persons.
You can acquaint yourselves with examination questions and materials in publications.

Required DocumentsEdit

Application for naturalization
a document showing your legal source of income or your supporter,
a receipt about the state duty having been paid (if a person is not exempt from paying the state duty).
one photograph (3 x 4cm)
identity card (a passport)
statement renuncing your former citizenship

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs

Info phone: 8300

Head of OCMA: Vilnis Jekabsons

Telephone: 67219183

Email: [email protected]

Fax: 67829825

Address: Riga, Ciekurkalna 1st line, 1, building 3

The reception time of the Head every first Friday of the month from 10.00 (with preliminary signing up phone: 67829773)

Persons Identification Documents Department

Inguss Treiguts

Telephone: 67219183

Email: [email protected]

Fax: 67829825

Address: Riga, Ciekurkalna 1st line, 1, building 3

For Regional Divisions: http://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/home/contacts/pmlp-divisions/

For Diplomatic and Consular Representations: http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/mission/

EligibilityEdit

Latvian Citizenship is granted through naturalization to persons who have been registered in the Population register and:

have reached the age of 15
whose place of permanent residence, on the submission date of their application for naturalization, has been in Latvia for no less than five years counting from May 4, 1990 (for persons who entered Latvia after July 1, 1992, the five-year term shall be counted from the date of the issuance of their permanent residence permit)
familiar with the Latvian language and the history of Latvia, the basic principles of the Republic of Latvia Satversme (the Constitution) and the text of the national anthem
have legal source of income
who have submitted a statement of renunciation of their former citizenship and have received an expatriation permit from the country of their former citizenship, if such a permit is provided for by the laws of that country, or have received a document certifying the loss of citizenship

NOTE: Children permanently living in Latvia up to the age of 15 can be naturalize together with their parents.

Persons not eligible to appply for citizenship through naturalization:

through the use of anti-constitutional methods have turned against independence of the Republic of Latvia, its democratic parliamentary state system or the existing state power in Latvia, if such has been established by a court decree
after May 4, 1990, have propagated fascist, chauvinist, national-socialist, communist or other totalitarian ideas or have stirred up ethnic or racial hatred or discord, if such has been established by a court decree
are officials of foreign state power, foreign state administrative or foreign state law enforcement institutions
serve in the armed forces, internal forces, security service or the police (militia) of a foreign country
after June 17, 1940, have chosen the Republic of Latvia as their place of residence directly after demobilisation from the USSR (Russian) Armed Forces or the USSR (Russian) Interior Armed Forces and who, on the day of their conscription or enlistment, were not permanently residing in Latvia except the cases when they have been citizens of Lithuania or Estonia on June 17, 1940 or they are in wedlock with a citizen of Latvia at least 10 years
have been employees, informers, agents or have been in charge of a secret abode of the former USSR (Latvian SSR) State Security Service (KGB) or other foreign security service, intelligence service or other special service, if such a fact has been established in accordance with the procedures as prescribed by the law
have criminal records in Latvia or in another country for a crime which is considered to be a crime in Latvia as well at the moment the Law on Citizenship comes into force
after January 13, 1991, have acted against the Republic of Latvia through participation in the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Communist Party of Latvia), the Working Peoples' International Front of the Latvian SSR, the United Council of Labour Collectives, the Organization of War and Labour Veterans, or the All-Latvia Salvation Committee and its regional committees or in the Union of Communists of Latvia.

FeesEdit

The state fee for the submission of naturalization application is 20 Ls.

Politically repressed persons, disabled persons having category I; orphans, children who are not under their parents' charge and persons sheltered by social care institutions of the state or self-governments are exempt from paying the state duty.

State fee shall be 3 Ls. for the following persons:

members of poor families or poor persons living separately
the unemployed persons registered in the State Employment Service
members of those families in which there are three or more under age children
persons receiving old-age and long service pensions
disabled persons having category II and III
pupils of the general education establishments and students of the professional education establishments certified by the state
full-time students of the tertiary education establishments certified by the state.

ValidityEdit

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to UseEdit

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Sample DocumentsEdit

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Processing TimeEdit

Please explain the processing your application.

InstructionsEdit

The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs is the only institution authorized to solve the issues related to naturalization or loss of citizenship.

Naturalization applications are accepted and reviewed in any regional branch of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

Required InformationEdit

A list which displays the kind of information which is required to complete the procedure.
e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or County of Birth.

Need for the DocumentEdit

Citizenship represents the link between a person and a state or an association of states. Possession of citizenship is normally associated with the right to work and live in a country and to participate in political life.

Information which might helpEdit

Riga Working Hours

Monday 08:00 - 20:00

Tuesday 08:00 - 20:00

Wednesday 08:00 - 20:00

Thursday 08:00 - 20:00

Friday 08:00 - 20:00

External LinksEdit

Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs:

http://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/home/citizenship/naturalization/

OthersEdit

More information which might help people.