News
Dual citizenship
The Latvian parliament on May 9, 2013, approved amendments to the Citizenship Law that allow for dual citizenship. From 1991 until July 1995, under so-called transitional rules in the Citizenship Law, it was possible for former World War II exiles and their descendants, as well as for Soviet-era émigrés and deportees, to claim Latvian citizenship without having to give up the citizenship of their host country. In all, 30,793 persons took advantage of the transitional rules and became dual citizens, according to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvalde). However, after that dual citizenship was banned. Over the years, pressure increased on the Saeima to reconsider several aspects of the Citizenship Law and to once again allow dual citizenship, both for those from the exile generations and for various other groups, including recent emigrants to countries such as Ireland and Great Britain. Available on this page are links to articles on the topic of dual citizenship, as well as other resources.
Latest story
Saeima approves dual citizenship
May 09, 2013
After several hours of debate, the Latvian parliament on May 9 approved legislation that will allow dual citizenship for many individuals, including World War II-era exiles and their descendants.
The amendments to the Citizenship Law, which passed on a vote of 54-27, take effect Oct. 1.
Archive
2013
Saeima approves dual citizenship
Committee OKs citizenship law; Saeima vote expected May 9
Diaspora leaders ask Saeima to ease dual citizenship for Australia, New Zealand, Brazil
2012
Amendments to citizenship law not likely to be approved before Jan. 1
Radio show aimed at Latvians abroad plans broadcast on citizenship law
Saeima passes second reading of Citizenship Law amendments
MPs say Latvians in Australia, Brazil need not worry about citizenship law
Saeima committee moves citizenship law amendments to 2nd reading
Dual citizenship, other amendments move closer to approval by Saeima
Conference in Rīga addresses citizenship
Citizenship agency to appeal court’s ruling in Latvian physicist’s case
2011
Cabinet backs citizenship law changes; justice minister calls for swift passage
Lawmakers: Latvia needs to improve, finance relations with diaspora
Saeima committee reintroduces amendments to citizenship law
Legislation proposing dual citizenship may now have to wait for 11th Saeima
Tiekoties ar ASV jauniešiem, Zatlers pārrunā dubultpilsonības jautājumu
Saeima supports dual citizenship proposal, sends bill to 2nd reading
Special commission to study changes to Latvia’s citizenship law
Jūsu brīvība bija mūsu uzdevums
Vienotība seeks dual citizenship; Saeima now has 3 proposals
Government’s action plan calls for dual citizenship by year’s end
Saeima begins discussion on president’s dual citizenship proposals
Zatlers joins dual citizenship debate, tells Saeima it’s time to change law
Nationalists in Saeima propose amendments to allow dual citizenship
2010
Saeima approves dual citizenship for Latvian woman in Canada
MPs seek end to dual citizenship ban; Latvian-Canadian asks Saeima’s help
Vienotība: Next Saeima should amend law to allow dual citizenship
Supreme Court to rule this month on Strunskis dual citizenship case
Court rules dual citizenship restriction is constitutional
Constitutional Court to review dual citizenship case in April
2009
Constitutional Court gives itself more time to ready citizenship case
Constitutional Court to hear case challenging dual citizenship rule
Top court questions constitutionality of Latvia’s dual citizenship rule
Lack of political support kills citizenship changes, premier says
TB/LNNK opposes changes to citizenship law
Five dual citizens among Europarliament candidates
2008
Minister, PBLA discuss dual citizenship options
Dual citizenship proposal moves forward
2007
Kastēns urges broader dual citizenship discussion
New work group considers dual citizenship proposals
Court throws out case challenging dual citizenship ban
Task force offers plan of action for repatriation
Survey shows strong support for dual citizenship
Survey raises hope for dual citizenship
Survey asks diaspora about dual citizenship
2004
PBLA: Say ‘no’ to ban on dual citizens in high office
Data
Resources
Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvalde
Part of the Ministry of the Interior, the PMLP oversees citizenship and migration affairs, including issuing passports and processing repatriation requests. EN LV RU
Documents
Pilsonības likums
Latvia's Citizenship Law, available from the law database provided by the official government newspaper, Latvijas Vēstnesis. LV
Likumprojekts 201/Lp10
Nacionālās apvienības "Visu Latvijai!" - "Tēvzemei un Brīvībai/LNNK" likumprojekts grozījumiem Pilsonības likumā, Saeimā iesniegts 2011. gada 20. janvārī. Juridiskā komisija 23. martā nolēma likumprojektu neatbalstīt. (PDF, 130 K)
Prezidenta vēstule
Valsts prezidenta Valda Zatlera 2011. gada 1. februāra vēstule Saeimas priekšsēdētājai Solvitai Āboltiņai par ieteiktiem grozījumiem Pilsonības likumā. (PDF, 372 K)
Likumprojekts 238/Lp10
Vienotības likumprojekts grozijumiem Pilsonības likumā, Saeimā iesniegts 2011. gada 17. februārī. Saeima 31. martā nolēma likumprojektu atbalstīt 1. lasījumā un to virzīt tālāk uz 2. lasījumu. (PDF, 98 K)
What's new
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16 May 2013
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Andris Nelsons, who has led the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in the United Kingdom since 2008, has been appointed the new music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
News
09 May 2013
Saeima approves dual citizenship
After several hours of debate, the Latvian parliament on May 9 approved legislation that will allow dual citizenship for many individuals, including World War II-era exiles and their descendants.
Multimedia
09 May 2013
Čaklais skaidro jaunumus Pilsonības likumā
Saeima 9.maijā pieņēma grozījumus Pilsonības likumā kas atzīst dubultpilsonību, nosaka kā nepilsoņu bērni tiks pie Latvijas pilsonības, un nosaka ari izmaiņas naturalizācijas kārtībā. Saeimas Pilsonības likuma grozījumu apakškomisijas priekšsēdētājs Ingmārs Čaklais skaidro jaunumus. (Video no YouTube)
In the forums
Georgians on the war path posted by Mr L L on 18 May 2013
Andris Nelsons >> Boston posted by Ivars Graudins on 16 May 2013
Saulanais Maijs posted by Aleksejs on 15 May 2013
Happy Mothers Day to all LOL ladies. posted by Bruno the Lett on 12 May 2013
All citizens will wear green capes... posted by anita on 10 May 2013



