Latvia

Which ministry has overall responsibility?	Ministry of the Interior (in Latvian)
Are there other ministries involved?	Ministry of Foreign Affairs
	The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for Latvia's foreign policy.
	Diplomatic missions abroad Non-EU citizens submit applications for visas and residence permits to the missions abroad.
	Ministry of Welfare (in Latvian)
What are the implementing agencies?	Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA)
	The OCMA is responsible for implementing migration, asylum policy and for issuing identity documents, travel documents and residence permits, granting the right to employment and maintenance of the Population Register.
	It is also in charge of adopting and implementing readmission and asylum policy. State Employment Agency (NVA), under the supervision of the Ministry of Welfare, the State employment agency acts as a bridge between employers and employees. It is responsible for registering vacancies at NVA affiliates within the framework of work agreements.
Are there general immigration policy papers?	N/A
Are there impact assessments, studies and reports available?	Policy Report on Migration and Asylum in Latvia: reference year 2017, produced by the Latvian Contact Point of the European Migration Network Policy Report on Migration and Asylum in Latvia: reference year 2018, produced by the Latvian Contact Point of the European Migration Network Policy Report on Migration and Asylum in Latvia: reference year 2019, produced by the Latvian Contact Point of the European Migration Network Policy Report on Migration and Asylum in Latvia: reference year 2020, produced by the Latvian Contact Point of the European Migration Network
What is the key legislation?	Law on the Status of Former U.S.S.R. Citizens who do not have the Citizenship of Latvia or that of any other State, 12 April 1995 (Former USSR Citizens Law). Official Language Law, 9 December 1999 (Official Language Law). Immigration Law, 31 October 2002 (Immigration Law). Asylum Law, 17 December 2015 (Asylum Law). Cabinet Regulation No. 675 'Procedures for EU citizens and their family members traveling to and staying in the Latvian Republic', 30 August 2011. Law on EU Long-term Resident Status in the Republic of Latvia, 22 June 2006 (Law on EU Long-term Resident Status). Cabinet Regulations No.733 "Regulations of the Level of the Proficiency in the Official Language and the Procedure of Testing the Level of Language Proficiency for Professional and Craft Duties for Receiving of Permanent Residence Permit, and Obtaining the Status of Permanent Resident of the European Community, and State Fee for Examination of Skills of the State Language, 7 July 2009. Cabinet of Ministers Nr.1034 "Regulations Regarding the State Fee for Examination of the Documents Necessary for the Requesting a Visa, Residence Permit or the Status of a Long-term Resident of the European Union in the Republic of Latvia and the Services Related Thereto», 1 October 2013. Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 564 on Regulation regarding Residence Permits, 21 June 2010 (CM 564). Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 550 on Regulations regarding the Amount of Necessary Financial Means for a Foreigner and Procedures for the Determination of the Existence of Financial Means, 21 June 2010 (CM Reg. 550). Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 552 on Procedures for Approval of Invitations and Drawing up of Written Requests, 21 June 2010 (CM 552). Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 554 on Regulation Regarding States for the Citizens of which in Issuing a Visa or a Residence Permit an Additional Assessment shall be Performed, 21 June 2010 (CM 554). Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 676 on Visa Regulations, 30 August 2011 (CM 676). Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 725 on Regulation of the Latvian Republic of diplomatic and consular representation in the territorial competence required for visa applications, 3 August 2010 (CM 725). Access Latvian law online
What are the national scientific research and statistical offices on immigration?	Central Statistical Bureau