The President of Latvia Andris Berzins called controversial the amendments to the Immigration Act, changing the conditions for the issuance of residence permit to foreigners, adopted by the Saeima of Latvia last week, reports ee24.com citing baltic-course.com.
The President criticized the inconsistency of the amendments, which is along with the increase in the minimum value of the property foreigners have to buy to obtain a permit, anyone can just pay €50,000 to get a residence permit for five years. These mutually exclusive items provoked a strong reaction of the President: "Why all the patriotic statements that we will defend something if the second rule, in effect, invalidates the first!"
Decision on the introduction of amendments in force or being sent for further consideration of the President should take up to 10 November.
Recall that the amendments to the Immigration Act give foreigners the right to apply for a residence permit for a period not exceeding five years in the event that they have paid €50,000 to the state budget. The restrictions are also placed on the number of residence permits issued in 700 deals worth more than €150,000, and 100 deals worth more than €500,000. In 2015 and 2016 the number of transactions will be reduced respectively to 525 and 350, and in 2017 the program can be stopped at all or kept at the level of 2016.
In 2015, there will rise an opportunity to get a residence permit in exchange for the purchase of special interest-free government bonds with a nominal value of €250,000. But in such a case one would have to pay to the budget of Latvia a fee of €25,000.
In addition, the permit will not be given in exchange for the acquisition of agricultural land, forest land and open spaces.
The President of Latvia often speaks out against the amendment. Earlier ee24.com quoted Andris Berzins interview to the Latvian TV, where he criticized the decision to permit quotas.