Latvia’s efforts to attract international students as part of an “education export” strategy are facing increased scrutiny, with government agencies raising concerns that the system may be exploited for immigration purposes. A report released on January 18th highlighted a pattern of high visa refusal rates at certain Latvian universities and a trend of students transferring between institutions after facing expulsion.
Visa Refusals and University Transfers
Data indicates a significant disparity in visa refusal rates among Latvian universities. In 2024, 31% of student visa applications linked to Riga Nordic University (formerly ISMA) were denied, meaning nearly one in three applicants were refused entry. This contrasts sharply with larger universities like Rīga Technical University, the University of Latvia, and Riga Stradiņš University, which experienced refusal rates of around 5-6% during the same period. The Baltic International Academy (BSA) also reported a high refusal rate of 23.5% in 2024.
Riga Nordic University also appears to be a frequent destination for students who have changed or been expelled from other institutions. Of 165 students who transferred universities in the previous academic year, 134 enrolled at Riga Nordic University. Furthermore, 19 out of 30 students expelled from other universities in the last three months subsequently began studying at Riga Nordic University.
University Response and Legal Loopholes
Andrejs Cinis, Vice-Rector for Administrative Affairs at Riga Nordic University, stated he had not seen the reported data but offered figures suggesting lower rejection rates for students from Uzbekistan (11%) and India (9%). He also acknowledged the trend of accepting students from other institutions, stating, “If it is legal to accept them, why shouldn’t we accept them?”
Current regulations allow a student to enroll in a new university immediately after being expelled from another, provided a decision on revoking their visa has not yet been made – a process that can take up to a month. Imants Bergs, head of the Higher Education Export Association, has suggested this rule should be amended, arguing that students should be required to return home before re-applying.
The State Security Service has identified systemic weaknesses in entry requirements, creating potential security risks. General Guntis Pujāts, head of the State Border Guard, also raised concerns about the English language proficiency of some applicants, questioning their ability to successfully study in Latvia.
Government Plans for Increased Oversight
The Ministries of the Interior and Education and Science are reportedly developing measures to address these issues. These plans include potentially restricting the entry of family members of students, more rigorous assessment of prospective students’ English language skills and financial resources, and requiring universities to expel students absent from classes for 10 days without justification – a reduction from the current 14-day threshold.
State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, Dimitrijs Trofimovs, emphasized the need to evaluate universities based on merit and to consider the impact of any decisions on their ability to offer study programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current visa refusal rate at Riga Nordic University?
In 2024, the visa refusal rate for students invited by Riga Nordic University reached 31%, meaning almost one in three applicants were denied entry.
What is being done about students transferring between universities after expulsion?
The Higher Education Export Association suggests changing the regulations so that students expelled from one university must return home before enrolling in another.
What concerns have been raised regarding the qualifications of some student applicants?
The State Border Guard has reported finding some applicants with virtually no knowledge of English upon entry into Latvia, raising questions about their ability to study effectively.
As Latvia considers these changes, it remains to be seen how these new measures will impact the country’s international student population and its broader education export goals.
