Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava is advancing an immigration restriction plan within Latvia’s governing coalition, proposing strict quotas for third-country nationals, tighter controls on foreign student enrollment, and enhanced oversight of foreign employment. According to the minister’s adviser, Marija Luīze Ratniece, the framework stems directly from conclusions reached by the Saeima parliamentary inquiry commission on immigration.
The Ministry of the Interior developed the action plan alongside responsible institutions to align with the government declaration. The coalition cooperation meeting will review the proposal before submitting it to the Cabinet agenda. Minister Dombrava stated that the recommendations identified during his time chairing the parliamentary inquiry commission must now be translated into concrete state decisions.
Quota Limits and Employment Restrictions for Foreign Workers
The proposed immigration framework establishes specific limits on the number of third-country nationals who may enter and reside in Latvia. Under the plan, self-employed activities for third-country nationals would face strict restrictions, though objectively justified exceptions would remain. The measures aim to curtail the use of unscrupulous intermediary companies in hiring foreign nationals.
Platforms like Bolt and Wolt would encounter heightened scrutiny under the new rules. Authorities plan to strengthen identity checks and right-to-work verifications, blocking individuals without a proper legal basis for employment from operating through such digital services. Additionally, the plan mandates a working-time tracking system where both the inviting employer and the worker must record hours.
Did You Know? The parliamentary inquiry commission previously chaired by Jānis Dombrava produced a final report containing around 100 specific recommendations aimed at improving Latvia’s immigration policy and enforcement.
Higher Education Overhaul and Student Restrictions
Universities admitting foreign students face significant operational changes under the proposed amendments to the Law on Higher Education Institutions. The government intends to cap the proportion of foreign students at Latvian higher education institutions at no more than 50% of the total student population, with further restrictions targeting the share of third-country nationals. Applicants from third countries would not be permitted to have a grade lower than eight in any subject prior to admission.
Institutions would be prohibited from partnering with recruitment agencies for third-country students, excluding citizens from NATO and OECD member states. Furthermore, foreign students would face mandatory attendance rules requiring presence at a minimum of 70% of studies, alongside expulsion provisions for unexcused absences exceeding three days during the academic year. Serious violations regarding student admissions or residence compliance could result in the revocation of an educational institution’s accreditation.
Border Security, Asylum Rules, and Transport Checks
To bolster national security and border enforcement, the plan proposes introducing National Defence Service within the State Border Guard. Asylum seekers would face mandatory regular registration, with failure to comply triggering penalties, unexcused absences risking the cancellation of applications, and deportation proceedings. Authorities also plan to assess mutual legal assistance agreements with countries generating high migration flows linked to document fraud.
Security protocols at Riga Airport and across international land and sea passenger transport operators would change to verify that passengers do not use tickets registered to other individuals. Amendments to the Criminal Law would establish criminal liability for knowingly providing physical or informational support, or acting in the interests of a foreign state, during the instrumentalisation of migration or other hybrid threats.
Implementation Timeline and Driving Regulations
The draft government decision requires all responsible institutions to report implementation progress to the Ministry of the Interior by October 2027. The ministry would subsequently submit a consolidated progress report to the government by December of the following year. Additional provisions in the Road Traffic Law would require third-country nationals driving for EU-registered companies to obtain an EU driving licence, accompanied by mandatory driving skill tests regardless of licenses obtained in third countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the development of the immigration restriction plan?
The plan was developed on the basis of conclusions reached by the Saeima parliamentary inquiry commission on immigration, which was previously chaired by Jānis Dombrava.
What are the proposed attendance requirements for foreign students?
Amendments to the Law on Higher Education Institutions would require foreign students to attend at least 70% of their studies and mandate expulsion for unexcused absences exceeding three days during the academic year.
How will employment for third-country nationals be monitored?
The plan introduces a working-time tracking system requiring both employers and invited workers to record hours, restricts third-country nationals to being invited only by the company where they actually work, and enhances supervision of foreign labor service providers.
What impact do you think these proposed quotas and stricter university requirements will have on Latvia’s international student enrollment?
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