Latvia's Parliament Tightens Immigration Rules, President Sends Law Back

Latvia's parliament passed a new law establishing stricter immigration conditions, including biometric registration at borders and faster data sharing with EU countries. The most disputed element was the so-called golden visas-residence permits granted in exchange for investment. The President found the law required clarification and returned it to parliament.

Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, passed a new immigration law that establishes significantly stricter requirements for people entering the country. The law was deliberated over the course of two parliamentary terms and affects immigration conditions, the labor market, language learning, and education. The President did not sign the law and returned it to parliament, finding that several provisions require further clarification.

Uncontrolled System Had to Be Reformed

Arturs Butans, Deputy Chair of the Saeima Budget and Finance Committee, pointed out that the previous system had allowed too many violations. "All stages have been uncontrolled until now. It's absurd that third-country nationals set conditions for us, rather than our parliament," he said. A typical example is the situation where a foreigner arrives in Latvia to study at a university, abandons their studies, and remains in the country despite being required to leave.

Raimonds Bergmanis, Chair of the Defense, Internal Affairs and Anti-Corruption Commission, stressed that this is not merely a law of restrictions. "For the first time, we debated immigration policy more broadly in the defense commission. This is not a law about restrictions and does not look like conditions set by the government. No. This is a law on immigration policy, which also takes into account the economic sector's perspective," he explained.

Golden Visas Sparked the Most Debate

The most discussion was caused by the granting of residence permits in exchange for investment. According to the final version, a foreigner has the right to apply for a residence permit with a validity of up to five years if they contribute at least 150,000 euros to a state-established fund and pay an additional 10,000 euros to the Latvian state. Kaspars Briškens, Head of the Saeima Progressives faction, noted that golden visa programs are increasingly under pressure across Europe. "Spain, Ireland, and the Netherlands had very famous golden visa programs. Recently, all of these have been closed. The European Commission increased its oversight and later turned to the European Court because of Malta, where golden passport possibilities existed-citizenship in exchange for investment. That was prohibited," Briškens explained.

President Demands Clarifications

The President found that the law leaves too many open questions, particularly regarding special provisions concerning businesspeople with Russian and Belarusian backgrounds. In the head of state's view, the control of the source and purpose of investment funds should be regulated more clearly, and the position on real estate buyers from Latvia-friendly third countries should be clarified.

Biometrics and Maximum Numbers

Under the new law, biometric registration will be used at borders and data exchange with other EU member states will be accelerated. Information about those arriving in Latvia will be collected before they even reach the country. The Interior Ministry is currently run by the National Alliance, and minister Janis Dombrava stated the goal clearly: "The aim is to establish a maximum number of immigrants that is acceptable in our society. This must not call into question the very existence of our own people."