POLICY REPORT ON IMMIGRATION AND ASYLUM IN LATVIA ...

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6. BORDER CONTROL
6.1. Control and Monitoring of Immigration on the External Borders
6.1.1. Changes in the National Perspective
By taking into account the importance of comparing of biometric data in detection of
illegal immigration, the Law "Amendments to the Immigration Law" that came into force on
July 1, 2010 determines that a third-country national shall have the duty to comply with the
requirement of the state institutions for comparison of biometric data during border control and
immigration control.
On 29 June 2010, Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No.554 of 21 June 2010
"Regulations regarding the Countries of Citizens for Whom Additional Examination is
Performed in Issuance of a Visa or Residence Permit" 120 , entered into force which determines a
list of countries of citizens for whom additional examination is performed when issuing a visa
or a residence permit.
On 1 July 2010, Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No.549 of 21 June 2010
“Amendments to the Cabinet Regulation No. 365 of 26 May 2008 “Procedure for Examination
of Available Information in Reviewing of Documents for Request of a Visa or a Residence
Permit of a Third-Country National”” 121 entered into force which have been supplemented with
the procedure for additional examinations in relation to third-country nationals who request a
residence permit in compliance with Clauses 28, 29 or 30 of the first part of the Section 23 of
the Immigration Law. During examination, competent state institutions shall ascertain whether,
in case of issue of a residence permit, a third-country national will not cause any threat to the
security of the state or public order and safety. 122
On 13 July 2010, Cabinet Regulation No.675 of 27 July 2010 "Regulations for
Technical Means Required for Border Control and Border Monitoring" 123 entered into force,
which determines the technical means required for border control and border monitoring.
On 30 November 2010, the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers reviewed Draft
Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers, which was prepared by the Ministry of Defence,
“Procedure in accordance with which the State Border Guard Performs Border Monitoring
120 Published: The Latvian Herald, No. 100, 28.06.2010.
121 Published: The Latvian Herald, No. 100, 28.06.2010.
122 Executive summary to the Cabinet of Ministers draft regulation "Amendments to the Cabinet of Ministers
Regulation No. 365 of 26 May 2008 “Procedure for Examination of Available Information in Reviewing of
Documents for Request of a Visa or a Residence Permit of a Third-Country National"".//
http://www.mk.gov.lv/lv/mk/tap/pid=40176245 – [see: 14.05.2010]
123 Published: The Latvian Herald, No. 120, 30.07.2010.