Thousands of Ukrainians in Latvia Urged to Renew Their Residence Permits

A large number of Ukrainians have not renewed their documents in order to stay legally in Latvia, with data showing that of the total of 15,000 residence permits issued in 2022, only 3,500 have been renewed.

The Office for Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) has urged all Ukrainians to renew their documents, as on March 4, the residence permits with the right to work issued in 2022 expired, Schengen.News reports. 

Since Latvia and other EU member states have a visa-free agreement with Ukraine, Ukrainians are still permitted to legally stay in Latvia, however, from April, they will no longer be allowed to work in Latvia, or benefit from state-funded health services.

About 69,000 Ukrainians Hold Temporary Residence Permits 
The figures from Eurostat revealed that on December 31, 2024, about 4.3 million non-EU nationals who fled Ukraine due to Russia’s aggression had temporary protection status in the EU. 

According to Eurostat, the EU countries hosting the most significant number of beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine were the following ones: Germany (1,161,450 people; 27.3 per cent of the EU total), Poland (991,630; 23.3 per cent) and Czechia (388,625; 9.1 per cent). 

According to a report from Latvian Public Media, since February 24, 2022, over 69,000 Ukrainians had been issued temporary residence permits and long-term visas in Latvia. 

The same reveals that as of February 1, over 48,000 nationals of Ukraine obtain a valid temporary protection status in Latvia

Through Latvia’s new plan, the country aims to continue helping Ukrainians fleeing the war, including employment and integration promotion and protection of unaccompanied minors. 

In addition, it is expected that more than 6,000 people will attend free Latvian language courses this year.

Source: https://schengen.news/thousands-of-ukrainians-in-latvia-urged-to-renew-their-residence-permits/