Since the summer of 2022, the number of Russian citizens in Latvia holding valid residence permits has declined by around 11,800, according to Ilze Briede, head of the Migration Department of the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Office (PMLP). This information was shared during a parliamentary investigation commission focused on reviewing immigration regulations. The commission discussed the permanent residence permits in Latvia and the status of EU permanent residents, highlighting the impact of changing political and immigration landscapes on these populations.

Briede further noted that at the start of this year, there were 1,166 individuals in Latvia who held a status that indicated they were former Latvian citizens or non-citizens prior to obtaining citizenship in another country. Among these, the majority were Ukrainians (388), followed by 273 Russians, 302 Belarusians, and small numbers from Israel and Moldova. This shift reflects broader trends in migration and the status of various groups in Latvia, influenced by geopolitical factors and legislative changes.

Moreover, Briede pointed out that the process related to amendments to the Immigration Law, which require Russian citizens to restructure their residence permits to acquire the status of EU permanent resident, is still ongoing. The changes passed in September 2022 are part of Latvia's response to recent geopolitical tensions, emphasizing the need to reassess the residence statuses of certain national groups in line with new laws and regulations.