How to apply for family reunification in Latvia

If you want to apply for family reunification, you should do so as soon as possible after you were granted refugee or subsidiary protection status in Latvia. If you have been granted refugee status in Latvia, your family can apply for a residence permit in Latvia. However, if you have been granted subsidiary protection status in Latvia, your family can apply for a residence permit after you have lived in Latvia for 2 years.

Depending on when you apply for family reunification after you were granted refugee status or subsidiary protection, you may need to fulfil additional conditions, such as proof of sufficient income, having a permanent address and health insurance in Latvia. In case you fail to fulfil these criteria, family reunification may be denied. You can appeal this decision before the Latvian courts.

More information is available here.

It is possible for your spouse and children under 18 years old to come to reside with you. If your application for family reunification is accepted, you need to organise and pay for your family members’ trip to Latvia.

Some organisations or projects may be able to help, such as Miles4Migrants. Find more information on Miles4Migrants website.

If your application for family reunification is rejected, you have the right to appeal. In doing so, you should consult a lawyer.

If you have a residence permit in Latvia, you may be eligible for free legal aid provided by the State. For more information about the requirements needed to request free legal aid and how to request it, please visit the website of the Latvian authorities.

If you are not eligible for free legal aid provided by the State, we advise you to contact our partner, the NGO “Shelter “Safe House””. You can also contact the Latvian Centre for Human Rights, who may be able to provide legal counselling in your case.

In Latvia, UNHCR supports the national authorities in executing its duties in line with international and European standards. UNHCR is not part of the family reunification procedure in Latvia. The procedure in Latvia is under the responsibility of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs under the Latvian Ministry of the Interior.

If you reside in Latvia, we advise you to contact our partner the Latvian Red Cross. This organization carries out family tracing services. Please find their contact details below:

     Latvian Red Cross

•      Address: Social centre “Gaizins”, Gaizina Street 7, Riga, Latvia
•      Phone: (+371) 26143344 (Mondays to Thursdays, 9.00-17.00, and Fridays, 9.00-16.00)
•      E-mail: [email protected]
•      Website: Tracing Service – LATVIJAS SARKANAIS KRUSTS (redcross.lv)

Read more about the work carried out by the Latvian Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross in relation to family tracing.

If you reside outside Latvia, we recommend you see the HELP site for the country in which you reside.

Please be informed that UNHCR does not provide family tracing services.