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841 Russians Face Expulsion from Latvia Under New Language and Residency Requirements
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Latvia has introduced stricter residency rules for Russian citizens, requiring 841 individuals to leave the country by October 13.
Maira Roze, head of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, announced the decision on Monday, Deutsche Welle reported on September 8. She explained that the order comes as part of legislative changes adopted in 2022 in response to Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
The updated law imposes tougher restrictions on Russian nationals living in Latvia. To remain legally, they must apply for permanent residency, prove sufficient knowledge of the Latvian language for daily use, and undergo security checks.
The new requirements affect around 25,000 people. Of them, some 16,000 have already secured permanent residency and 1,000 received temporary permits. Those without permits must leave.
Latvian authorities said that 2,600 Russians have already departed voluntarily, while ten cases have resulted in forced deportations.
Latvia, a nation where about a quarter of the 1.9 million population belongs to the Russian-speaking minority, has positioned the new rules as part of its broader response to Moscow’s aggression against Ukraine.
Earlier, interior ministers of the Baltic states, Nordic countries, and Poland, meeting in Tallinn, issued a joint statement confirming their intention to bar Russian citizens involved in the aggression against Ukraine from entering the Schengen area.
