Latvia: Information, subsequent to that contained in Response to Information Request LVA11827 of 1 October 1992, on whether a person born and resident in Latvia after 1940 of parents who were not Latvian nationals, or a person born in the former USSR outside of Latvia and moved to Latvia after 1940, would have the right to return to reside in Latvia after having left in 1991
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 October 1992 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LVA11999 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Latvia: Information, subsequent to that contained in Response to Information Request LVA11827 of 1 October 1992, on whether a person born and resident in Latvia after 1940 of parents who were not Latvian nationals, or a person born in the former USSR outside of Latvia and moved to Latvia after 1940, would have the right to return to reside in Latvia after having left in 1991, 1 October 1992, LVA11999, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abfb74.html [accessed 7 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following information was provided in a telephone interview with the Consul General of Latvia on 21 October 1992. Please note that this information cannot currently be corroborated by the DIRB.
The Consul General indicated that the right of the persons described above to residence in Latvia may be affected by whether they left before or after Latvia's declaration of independence in August 1991. At that time, there was some indication that non-Latvians resident in Latvia on the date of independence may be eligible for naturalization. However, Latvia has not yet passed a nationality law.
The Consul General also stated that, according to his interpretation, the persons described above would probably have to reapply for residence status in Latvia. He noted further that currently there is no law in Latvia on landed immigrant status or its equivalent, although it is likely that non-nationals residing in Latvia will be granted some sort of landed immigrant status in the future, with the same rights as other residents such as the right to leave and return but not the right to vote. However, at present, immigration legislation continues to be a matter of debate in the country's legislature. Technically, it would appear that even current residents who are non-nationals of Latvia would have to reapply for residence in Latvia should they leave to visit another country even temporarily, although this may or may not be the actual practice. He added that those who left the country a year or so ago are likely to be in the same position as anyone who left several years ago and would likely have to apply for residence in Latvia as an immigrant.
Reference
Consulate General of Latvia, Toronto. 21 October 1992. Telephone Interview with Consul General.
