Stricter Requirements for Recruiting Foreign Labor Implemented from 2025

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On January 1, 2025, stricter requirements for recruiting foreign labor will come into force to reduce the adverse effects of labor shortages on economic growth, while ensuring employment opportunities for local job seekers in Latvia and minimizing the misuse of the immigration system.

This is stipulated by amendments to the Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 55 of January 28, 2014, "Regulations on the Employment of Foreigners."

With these amendments, the cooperation mechanism between employers and the State Employment Agency (NVA) is defined more precisely. Starting from January 1, 2025, employers registering a vacancy with the NVA must cooperate with the agency by justifying the number of vacant positions, evaluating candidates proposed by the agency, and providing reasons for rejecting candidates.

The amendments also specify cases in which the NVA decides to allow or refuse the recruitment of a foreigner and outline the rights of employers upon receiving the NVA's opinion. Within one month of receiving the opinion, the employer may submit an invitation to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) for a visa application or a summons for a residence permit application.

The amendments also specify situations where the NVA may issue an opinion refusing to allow the recruitment of a foreigner. In such cases, employers retain the right to approach the PMLP again, without registering a vacancy for 12 months from the date of the NVA's positive opinion.

The regulations state that the NVA must issue an opinion on allowing or refusing the recruitment of a foreigner within 10 working days of the vacancy being published. The NVA's opinion becomes effective upon its issuance. Decisions made by the NVA can be contested by submitting an application to the NVA director. The director's decision can be further appealed in court.

As previously reported, cases have been identified where employers initially plan to send third-country workers to provide services in another European Union country, without any intention of employing them in Latvia or considering local labor force options. As a result, the number of visa and residence permit applicants increases, with the goal of misusing Latvia's immigration system to send third-country workers to other EU countries for service provision. At the same time, such vacancies mislead local job seekers, prolonging their job search process.