On Tuesday, September 8, the Cabinet of Ministers issued an order to admit 29 persons to Latvian citizenship by naturalization, including 2 of their minor children.
Of the 27 applicants for citizenship, 62% are Russians, 22% Ukrainians, 3% Belarusians, as well as Lithuanians, Poles and other nationalities. 18% of applicants for citizenship have basic education, 37% - secondary education, 44% - higher education.
In the coming days, new citizens will receive a notification by post from the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA), which will contain information about the person's admission to citizenship, as well as provide the most important information about the possibilities of issuing a new Latvian citizen's passport.
The OCMA reminds that with the acquisition of Latvian citizenship, the legal status of a person is changed, therefore the current non-citizen's passport is no longer valid for use either domestically or for trips abroad.
147,703 persons have been admitted to Latvian citizenship by naturalization: in 1995 - 984; In 1996 - 3 016; In 1997 - 2,992; In 1998 - 4 439; In 1999 - 12,427; In 2000 - 14,900; In 2001 - 10,637, in 2002 - 9,844; In 2003 - 10,049; In 2004 - 16,064; In 2005 - 19,169; In 2006 - 16,439; In 2007 - 6826; In 2008 - 3,004; In 2009 - 2,080; In 2010 - 2,336; In 2011 - 2,467; In 2012 - 2,213; In 2013 - 1,732; In 2014 - 939; In 2015 - 971; In 2016 - 987; In 2017 - 915; In 2018 - 930; In 2019 - 808; In 2020 - 535 persons.
In order to become a Latvian citizen through naturalization, a person must apply to any territorial branch of the OCMA, regardless of his or her place of residence. Persons who have confirmed their proficiency in the Latvian language, as well as have successfully passed the examination of the basic provisions of the Satversme, the text of the national anthem and knowledge of Latvian history, are admitted to Latvian citizenship.
Prepared by:
Samanta Nalivaiko
Ministry of the Interior
Communication departments
Public relations specialist
Phone: 67219082
E-mail: samanta.nalivaiko@iem.gov.lv