The right to seek asylum in Latvia, including obtaining refugee status, alternative status, or temporary protection, is regulated by the Asylum Law. Asylum can be requested by third-country nationals or stateless persons who are outside their country of origin and seek legal protection in Latvia.
Applications must be submitted in person to the State Border Guard, either at a border crossing point, a transit zone, or a territorial office within Latvia. Applicants must submit all available documents before a final decision is made, unless they have other legal grounds to reside in Latvia (e.g., a valid visa or residence permit). Instead, the State Border Guard issues an asylum seeker's identity document to an asylum seeker who is not detained.
An application for granting refugee or alternative status in the Republic of Latvia is examined by OCMA.
If the person lacks legal residency grounds, they are accommodated in the Asylum Seekers Accommodation Center “Mucenieki” during the process. The State Border Guard also issues an identity document to non-detained asylum seekers.
Issued Documents
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Asylum seeker receives an identity document from the State Border Guard, which allows them to stay in the accommodation center and leave it with permission.
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Refugee is granted a permanent residence permit and a travel document, which also serves as an identity document.
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Person with alternative status receives a temporary residence permit and, if needed, a travel document.