Interior Minister Sandis Ģirgens issued a statement on the current situation in Belarus, calling on the Belarussian government to end violence and repression against the people, and if the situation remains unresolved, emphasizing the possibility of Belarusian companies suffering from the country’s regime relocating to Latvia.
“I condemn the repression and violence currently being perpetrated by the Belarussian authorities against their own people, as well as their support for the Belarusian nations in their struggle for a fair and democratic state and open elections. I call on the Belarussian authorities to end repression I would also like to emphasize that it is not acceptable for senior Belarusian officials to position Latvia as a country that threatens Belarus’s sovereignty in the media environment, and we have always seen the people of Belarus as friendly. neighbors and reliable cooperation partners, “says Interior Minister Sandis Ģirģens.
“Last July, the Ministry of the Interior approved amendments to the Immigration Law, which made it easier for foreign companies in Latvia to obtain a European Union Blue Card to attract highly qualified specialists. If the current situation in Belarus does not improve and violence against society continues, I would like to call on Belarusian companies to especially in the IT sector, to transfer its operations to Latvia, “the Minister continues.
According to last year’s amendments to the Immigration Law, a foreigner whose purpose of entry is employment may be issued a long-term visa for a period not exceeding one year. If a foreigner wishes to continue residing in the Republic of Latvia after the expiry of the visa, he or she is entitled to request a temporary residence permit during the long-term validity of the visa without leaving the Republic of Latvia. If the company develops an innovative product and is a start-up, then board members can receive a residence permit immediately, even before the company is established. The company and its board members must be registered within 3 months of receiving the residence permit.
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