The main difference between the two types of permits is that if a permanent residence permit allows you to stay in the country for life, then the period of temporary residence is limited.
Dmitrys Trofimov, State Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, explains: “Temporary residence permits are issued for a fixed period with the obligation to register with the PMLP once a year. This is the most important difference.”
On September 1, all Russian citizens will have to make a decision – either to leave the country within 90 days, or to apply for a temporary residence permit.
Initially, the amendments prepared provided that in the case of obtaining a temporary residence permit, Russian citizens would not have the right to state-paid medical care and would be required to independently purchase medical insurance. Also, while an application for a temporary residence permit is being considered, a person will not be allowed to work here and will be checked by the State Security Service.
However, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Welfare have prepared proposals that preserve all social services.
“That is, if a person applies for a temporary residence permit for up to two years in accordance with the proposed amendments, then if such a permit is issued, these services will continue to be received.”
Social benefits are planned to continue for this 90-day period, while people decide what to do next. Those who have done nothing to organize their stay in Latvia for three months will lose all support, become illegal immigrants and be forced to leave the country.
The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) states that the number of people rushing to process their documents has been growing rapidly in recent days.
The head of PMLP, Myra Rose, says: “Where before there were 300, 400 per week, last week there were already more than 700. Today we see that every day there are a large number of requests at the last minute.”
Until September 15, the Migration Department will collect all the information on how many people have applied for a re-examination in the state language or have registered their stay in the country in another way. Those who do nothing will be invited to leave Latvia.