Photo credit: Baltic Point / youtube.com
Riga intends to deport at least 1,213 Russians from the country, Sputnik reports. According to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, these people had not applied for a residence permit in Latvia until the end of November. The authorities have no information that they left the country.
Another 1,344 Russian citizens applied for a residence permit, and 904 people left Latvia.
The final number of people who will have to leave the republic due to failure to comply with the requirements of the law has not yet been established.
Before the end of the year, Russian citizens in Latvia will still have time to submit an application to take the state language exam. Also, until December, 31, they can apply for an extension of a residence permit.
The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs explained that otherwise it would be impossible for people to receive social and medical services. Their further stay in the Baltic republic will be illegal.
As of January, 3 next year, the permanent residence permit for citizens of the Russian Federation will cease to be valid, even if they applied for another document, the department warned. In this case, one can stay in Latvia until a final decision is made on issuing a residence permit, but there may be difficulties in obtaining social and medical services.
A year ago, the Latvian parliament voted for amendments to the migration law, which introduced a mandatory exam on knowledge of the Latvian language for Russians living in the country. Deportation may affect many older people who have lived in Latvia most of their lives.
Russkiy Mir
