Russian citizens will be forcibly expelled from Latvia if they fail to pass the state language test required to extend their permanent residence permit.
Source. This is reported by tvnet.lv with reference to statements by officials.
According to the amendments to the law on immigration, the residence permits previously issued to Russians will cease to be valid after September 1, 2023. To renew the documents, it is necessary to submit to the Office for Citizenship and Migration a document confirming knowledge of the state language, as well as an application for EU permanent resident status.
So far, more than 8,000 Russian citizens have registered to take the exam, says Liene Voronenko, head of the State Center for Education Content. They have to take the tests by the end of May, with the possibility of retaking the exam in June or July. Other Russians will be able to apply for the test starting June 1.
Since the adoption of the amendments to the immigration law, 3,016 Russian citizens have applied for residence permit extensions, including 1,577 people over the age of 75 who do not need to take the language test, says PMLP leader Myra Rose.
So far, 163 Russians have had their residency permits extended, and in seven cases, their applications were rejected. Also, 24 people have applied for a temporary residence permit that does not require a language test.
Decisions on forced expulsion will be a last resort in situations where people do not voluntarily fulfill requests to leave, said Marek Honyavko, head of the Return and Asylum Department. According to him, all persons will be given the right to appeal the decision to expel in court and its implementation will be suspended for the time being.
Mr. Khonyavko emphasized that the Latvian Border Guard has experience in the forced expulsion of foreigners, and it can expel a large number of people from the country in a short period of time.
Background. As reported, Latvia will hand over cars confiscated from drunk drivers to the Ukrainian army.