REPATRIATION

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NB: Unofficial translation; after reading the following materials, though preliminary information can be received from the consular official at the embassy, more specific and case-by-case assistance is available through the Repatriation Division in Rīga.

The Repatriation Division

Kaleju iela 50

Rīga, Latvija

LV 1050

Tel: 011 371 7229111

Fax: 011 371 7229108

E-Mail: repatriacija@pmlp.gov.lv

Visiting Hours:

Tuesdays 13:00 to 16:30

Wednesdays 9:30 to 12:00 (noon)

Repatriation is the permanent return by a person to his or her ethnic homeland. In the case of the Republic of Latvia, a repatriate is a person who is a citizen of Latvia or a person whose parents or grandparents were Latvians or Liivs, and who on their own volition makes a permanent move to the Republic of Latvia.

Entitlement to Repatriation

Entitled to enter Latvia accompanying a repatriate are:

the spouse of a repatriate;
the underage dependant children (biological and adopted)of the repatriate and/or repatriate's spouse;
the dependant parents of the repatriate.

Repatriation permits are not issued to individuals who:

have worked against the independence of the Republic of Latvia, the democratic parliamentary state system or the standing state authority by anti-constitutional means, provided that this has been so determined by a court decision;
express fascist, chauvinist, nationalist, communist or other totalitarian ideas, or incite nationalistic or racial hatred or division/enmity;
are officials from a foreign power or governing administration, or from a judicial institution;
serve in the armed forces of another country, or its internal forces, secret service, security service or militia/police force;
were officials in the former secret or security forces of the Soviet KGB, or were informants, agents, or who operated espionage-associated properties, provided that this has been determined as a fact under the prescribed order of procedure.

Repatriation Procedure and Submissions

Non-citizens and their dependents that wish to repatriate, must submit the following:

a completed application form
a document affirming the Latvian or Livonian descent of the applicant. In the case of a repatriate's family member who wishes to move to Latvia with the repatriate, they must provide documentation that confirms marriage to the repatriate or their relationship rather than the document affirming Latvian or Livonian descent;
a copy of their birth certificate;
2 photographs (35 x 45mm)
a copy of their travelling document (recognized by the Republic of Latvia), as is for a stateless person, but indicating citizenship for a foreign national;
documentation attesting to the health of the individual, including that the person does not have TB;
official confirmation from the relevant authority of the country of citizenship or residence as to the criminal record of the individual, if the individual is over 14 years of age and would otherwise require a visa for entry into Latvia;
written confirmation of the proposed location of residence in the Republic of Latvia.

Citizens of Latvia wishing to repatriate must submit the following:

a completed application form;
a copy of their passport;
2 photographs (35 x 45mm);
written confirmation of the proposed location of residence in the Republic of Latvia.

Underage persons / minors

minors from 14 to 18 years of age must agree in writing to their repatriation before they are issued repatriation permits;
minors from 16 to 18 years of age are allowed to permanently repatriate if written permission is received from the parents / guardians with whom they reside, and if the appropriate Latvian city or municipality children's' protection and aid institutions have also agreed to the repatriation.

The documents associated with repatriation applications (notifications, letters, document copies) are valid for 3 months after preparation.

Documents issued outside Latvia are accepted in English, French, German or Russian. Documents written in other languages, and their copies, must be accompanied by a notarized translation of the document(s). All documents issued outside Latvia must be legalized, unless international law foresees other procedures.

Where to Submit Documents

The above mentioned documentation is to be submitted at the Repatriation Division, or to the consular office of the Republic of Latvia Embassy in the relevant country, which then forwards the documents to the Repatriation Division in Latvia.

Assistance Offered Repatriate

Assistance in the Resolution of Social Issues

Repatriates who left Latvia prior to May 4, 1990 have the right to apply for assistance in resolving social issues. The Repatriate Division ensures that repatriates have information on: the required documents; the procedure for submission; possibilities to learn appropriate professions, acquire education and improve their Latvian language skills; how to receive medical care; the resolution of housing issues; finding employment; rights to pensions and allowances; etc.

In accordance with parameters defined in the law "On national and municipal assistance in resolving housing issues" municipalities provide assistance in resolving housing issues.

When crossing the border of the Republic of Latvia in order to repatriate, customs duties and taxes are not applicable to the property belonging to the repatriate and his/her family, unless the property falls into the category of restricted or prohibited materials.

Rights to material assistance apply to repatriates who left Latvia prior to May 4, 1990 and who returned after the Repatriation Act came into force, with priority given to those repatriates who left Latvia as refugees trying to escape communist and fascist regime terrors, or who were repressed or deported without grounds.

Types and amounts of Material Assistance Provided

The Repatriation Division provides:

an allowance linked to travelling costs incurred with the permanent move to Latvia, provided that the associated documents proving the expenditures are submitted within one year of receipt/ issuance;
a six month allowance equivalent to 90% of the minimum wage, provided that within one year of moving to Latvia the repatriate has submitted an application to the Repatriation Division, has registered with the State Employment Service and has not in the intervening time been able to find a job.
The Repatriation Division may also provide material assistance in special circumstances, when so determined by the Repatriation Fund Council on a case-by-case basis.

Information for the Repatriate

Crossing the Border

On the basis of the permit issued by the Repatriation Division of the Office of Citizenship and Migration, a visa for entry into Latvia is issued free of charge to the repatriate, their spouse, parents and children by the Republic of Latvia Embassy or consular representations overseas.

The Repatriation Division

In order to put the practice of repatriation into action, the Repatriation Centre was established as part of the Republic of Latvia Ministry of the Interior, Citizenship and Immigration Department (now the Department of Citizenship and Migration). On December 28, the Repatriation Centre was accorded legal entity status, operates under the DCMA (Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs), and on December 12, 2002 it was renamed the Repatriation Division.

The functions of the Repatriation Division are as follows:

to ensure repatriates have information regarding the required documentation, submission procedures, opportunities to acquire an appropriate profession; education possibilities to extend Latvian language capabilities, receipt of medical assistance, housing issue resolution, finding appropriate employment, rights to pensions, allowances and other matters;
to accept repatriation documents, decide on the allocation of repatriate status, and issue documents to confirm repatriate status;
to develop and maintain a repatriate database;
to take measures related to repatriate integration;
to ensure material assistance to repatriates in accordance with the procedure for the operation of and distribution of the Repatriation Fund, as set by the Cabinet of Ministers.

The Repatriation Division