Path to citizenship
- Apply90-180 days
- Citizenshipgranted
Overview
- Country
- Latvia
- Program
- Latvian Citizenship by Descent (Exile Descendants)
- Local name
- Latvijas Pilsonība pēc Izcelsmes
- Type
- Citizenship by Descent
- Status
- Active
- Processing time
- 90-180 days
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Visa-free countries
- 182 destinations
- Passport rank
- #9 (Henley Index)
Latvian citizenship for descendants of persons who were Latvian citizens before the Soviet occupation on June 17, 1940. Covers descendants of Latvians who fled during Soviet or German occupation (1940-1990). No generational limit if the ancestor was a Latvian citizen on June 17, 1940. Descendants born by October 1, 2014 whose ancestor left due to occupation qualify automatically. No language test required.
Fees and costs
- Application fee
- $31
- Passport fee
- $54
Eligibility and requirements
- Police clearance not required
- Medical exam not required
Ancestry requirements
- Generational limit
- No limit
- Ancestor citizenship
- Must have been citizen
Family
- Dependents
- Allowed
- Spouse
- Not included
- Max child age
- 18
Passport and mobility
- Passport rank
- #9 (Henley Index)
- Visa-free access
- 182 countries
- Passport validity
- 10 years
- EU citizenship
- Yes
- Schengen access
- Yes
- US E-2 treaty
- Yes — eligible for US investor visa
How to apply
- Method
- Both
- Apply from abroad
- Yes
- Application type
- Open
- Official website
- www.pmlp.gov.lv
- Legal basis
- Latvian Citizenship Law (Pilsonības likums), as amended 2013
Notes and caveats
One of the fastest and cheapest EU citizenship-by-descent programs. Decision typically within 4 months. Ancestor must have been a Latvian citizen on June 17, 1940 (date of Soviet occupation). Descendants of exile Latvians born before October 1, 2014 qualify. Latvia allows dual citizenship specifically for descendants of pre-1940 citizens who left due to occupation. All foreign documents must have apostille and be translated into Latvian.