Guideline for asylum seekers in 1

GUIDELINE FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS IN LATVIA

EUROPEAN UNION Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 1 CONTENTS: 2 Requesting for asylum in Latvia 28 Support of the social worker and social mentor 4 After requesting for asylum 30 The Interview 7 Rights of an asylum seeker 32 Examination of the application for asylum 10 Obligations of an asylum seeker 34 Procedure for appealing a decision 13 Accommodation of an asylum seeker 39 State ensured legal aid 20 Detention of an asylum seeker 40 Procedure for requesting for the State ensured legal aid 22 Accommodation of a detained asylum seeker 42 After acquisition of the status 24 Education 44 Final negative decision 26 Medicine 45 Useful contacts Place of residence outside of the Centre Notes 27 for Asylum Seekers 47

Abbreviations: OCMA Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs This booklet is prepared within the framework of the project No. PMLP/PMIF/2016/1 State Border Guard “Support measures for persons in need of international protection, reception and Centre Centre for Asylum Seekers accommodation in Latvia” of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (2014 - EU 2020) implemented by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. Prepared by Due Ltd SSIA State Social Insurance Agency 2 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 3

La t v REQUESTING FOR ASYLUM i a IN LATVIA

You may express a wish to receive asylum in Latvia and to submit an application You may express Remember: by personally turning to the Border Guard: a wish to receive asylum in after the submission of the 1 ● at the State border crossing places; Latvia in a written or oral application your asylum procedure ● in the transit area of an airport; form in the language you in Latvia will be commenced – you ● if you already are in Latvia, at the closest territorial unit of the Border Guard. understand and are able will be an asylum seeker until the to communicate in. Border day when the final decision will be guards will execute your made during the examining of your If you are an unaccompanied minor These authorities will orally expressed wish application – to grant or to refuse Besides, you have contact with the Border in a written form. (without parents or adult at the at the at the place of the asylum. the right to express 2 3 4 Guard within three work- relatives), the State will appoint OCMA imprisonment your wish to receive 3 days, so that you could a guardian for you. workdays asylum in Latvia also submit an application. 4 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 5 AFTER REQUESTING The Border Guard will perform ne- The information provided by you gotiations with you in order to obtain FOR ASYLUM will be recorded by audio or video information about your individual technological means, regarding If you are not detained, situation and circumstances. Informa- which you will be informed a personal document of an asylum tion provided by you will be recorded seeker will be issued to you. in the minutes (the written record). separately.

Your fingerprints will be taken, which is an integral part to perform inspection of your of the asylum procedure. ● !  possessions; ● to determine expert-examina- tions and inspections of docu- ! ● to seize objects and documents Your personal identity and ments, your belongings, language A personal document of an asylum Remember if they may have a significance in travel documents have to be deliv- that border guards have the rights: knowledge and medical condition, seeker will give you the right to stay examination of the application or if ered to the Border Guard until the and other expert examinations in Latvia - you cannot travel to other they may pose a threat to the asylum day when the final decision regard- and inspections; countries with it. Your exit from Lat- seeker or those around him/her; ing asylum is made - except for the via during this period of time may be if you are an unaccompanied minor case when you have any other legal ● considered as a wish to revoke your asylum seeker, to perform inspection grounds to stay in Latvia, for exam- application and your asylum proce- of your possessions in the presence of ple, a valid visa or a residence permit. dure in Latvia may be terminated. your representative; ● to take a photograph of you. 6 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 7

In order to determine the responsible Member State, several circumstances of your case will be considered, RIGHTS OF AN ASYLUM SEEKER such as, whether you have any family members in any of the EU Member States, whether you have already The Border Guard will send requested for asylum in any other If it will be acknowledged that Latvia the information provided by you to EU Member State or stayed there, or is responsible for examining your the OCMA and it will assess, which whether any EU Member State has application, the OCMA will continue of the EU Member States will be issued a residence permit or a visa to the asylum procedure. responsible for examining you, the route of your trip after depar- i When communicating in a written To receive information about If you have a personal document your application. If it will be ture from the country of origin etc. or oral form with authorities the progress of your asylum procedure. of an asylum seeker and you have determined that any other EU involved in the asylum procedure To receive an explanation of the de- not received the decision of the Member State is responsible for you can use a language which you cision made in your case, procedures OCMA regarding granting or refu- examining your application, you understand or which can be to appeal it and of the conditions for sing to grant refugee or alternative will be transferred to the relevant reasonably supposed to be assigning State ensured legal aid in status within a time period of six Member State. In accordance with understandable for you. You may language you understand - except the months, you have the right to be the legal acts of the EU, only submit documents, regarding case when you have a representative employed in Latvia until the day one EU Member State will review your application and/or the claim or legal aid is already being ensured. when the final decision in your case your application. i submitted to the court (if needed a will come into force. In order to com- translation will be provided). mence labour relations, you have to You will receive more detailed To receive State ensured legal aid turn to the Border Guard to include a information about the criteria for in certain amount during the proce- notice of the rights for employment determination of the responsible dure for appealing. To invite a per- in your personal document of an Member State at the moment of re- son for the receipt of legal aid using asylum seeker. questing for asylum from your own funds at any stage of the the Border Guard. asylum procedure. 8 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 9 RIGHTS OF AN ASYLUM SEEKER

You or your representative have the right to get acquainted with the ! information contained in your file, except cases when disclosure of such To receive medical assistance During the asylum procedure the The following person may be in a certain amount. officials will pay attention to your considered as an asylum seeker, special needs, however, you also having special procedural or recep- have the right to inform about them. tion needs, for example: ● a minor; may prejudice the may prejudice the safety of may affect the investi- ● a person with disability; national interests of the persons who provide gatory activities of the If the Border Guard or the OCMA has ● a victim of human trafficking; Latvia information or the safety of institutions involved in established that you have special ● a person being in need of the persons to whom the the asylum procedure, procedural or reception needs, special care; information relates which are connected you will have the right to receive ● a person who has suffered with the examination of suitable and proper support for from violence. the application exercising your rights and fulfilment To communicate with relatives, the of obligations throughout the asylum United Nations High Commissioner procedure. for Refugees (UNHCR) or other organizations, providing legal or other type of advices to asylum seekers. 10 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 11 OBLIGATIONS OF AN ASYLUM SEEKER To participate in negotiations and To perform health examination in the interview, to answer personally the interests of public health - the questions asked and, as soon as mandatory pulmonary radiography possible, provide all information* for diagnostics of tuberculosis and, if necessary to examine the applica- necessary, also to diagnose infection tion and take a decision - also in the diseases. case if your representative is partic- ipating in the negotiations and the interview (the obligation to provide all information as soon as possible also applies to the representative) *for example, To co-operate with institutions in- To give fingerprints ● regarding the documents volved in the asylum procedure - if you are at least 14 years old. being at your disposal; for example, the Border Guard, in ● about your identity; order to be able to take your finger- ● family members; prints, identify and photograph you; previous activities and with the OCMA, in order to provide ● previous achievements; all information being at your dispos- al, which is required for examination ● regarding the reasons why the of the application. asylum has been requested. 12 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 13 OBLIGATIONS ACCOMMODATION OF AN ASYLUM SEEKER OF AN ASYLUM SEEKER

When arriving at the Centre, you have to present a personal document of an asylum seeker.

If you do not have sufficient means, To inform the OCMA and the Border To observe the internal order, while you may be accommodated at the Guard regarding the address of the residing in the accommodation Centre of an open type. premises or detention facilities. place of residence and its change. 16 If you are not accommodated at the Centre or you have not been An unaccompanied minor asylum detained - the last address of the seeker may be accommodated at the The Centre is located place of residence indicated by you Centre, in the child care institution within the distance of 17 kilometers will be used by the authorities to or at the guardian appointed by the from Riga, the capital of Latvia. communicate with you. Orphan’s Court. A decision regarding The bus No.16 goes from Riga to accommodation will be adopted by the Centre. Schedules of the public the Orphan’s Court, coordinating it transportation are available at: with the OCMA and considering the https://saraksti.rigassatiksme.lv/ interests of the minor. 14 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 15 ACCOMMODATION  OF AN ASYLUM SEEKER Employee of the Centre:

● will introduce you with the inter- nal order of the Centre and fire safety rules (available in the lob- by of the Centre, translated into several languages); ! The responsibility for keeping Families with preschool children, will show you a room, a kitchen, ● the shared premises clean is are accommodated, as much as pos- where you will cook meals for  distributed between all adult sible, in rooms equipped with WC yourself and your family, as well as inhabitants of the Centre. and shower. Other asylum seekers show other premises of the Centre, have to use shared showers and hand out the access card and other toilets. necessary items; Living rooms in the Centre are furnished with bunk beds, ● will introduce you with the closets, stools, tables as well as schedules of cleaning the shared blankets, pillows, bedclothes premises, according to (sheets, pillowcases) and dishes. which you will have to take care of 4 to 10 persons may be Rooms for people with disabilities maintaining order in these premises. accommodated in one room. are furnished with single-deck beds. 16 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 17 ACCOMMODATION OF AN ASYLUM SEEKER The following are ● kitchens and cooking ● laundry room (washing available at the Centre: appliances machines, dryers and clothes irons)   OCMA Centre Asylum seekers, accommodated In order to receive this daily allowance, you have to write a submission addressed ● Wi-Fi and computerized training at the Centre, who have insufficient to the OCMA. You can submit the application also to employees of the Centre. ● library class with an internet connection* ● gym * means for food, shall be entitled to receive means of support and a daily allowance - in total €3,00 * In order to use the computer per day and night for each asylum room or the gym, you have to regis- seeker (regardless of the age and ter with the responsible employee of family status). the Centre, receiving the key for this room, which has to be returned after € € € ! the work or workout. Your duty is to inform an employee ● interior play corner and children ● leisure area of the Centre, if you wish to leave play ground in the territory of the Centre the Centre for longer than 24 hours! 18 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 19 ACCOMMODATION While staying in the Centre, you to take care for children, not to ● ● to take care for the possessions leave small children (0-7 years old) have the following given to you (bedding, dishes), which unattended OF AN ASYLUM SEEKER obligations: have to be returned before departure from the Centre

1X in 7 ● to attend the interview and doctor’s days appointment on time   ● to take care for cleanness and order ● not to leave the dish you are ! in the living room and shared premis- cooking without attendance and to An employee of the Centre hands out the granted daily allowance to the If you stay outside of the Centre for es; to throw waste into the containers clean the kitchen after cooking asylum seeker once per week as an advance payment (for 7 days). In order to longer than 48 hours without a per- and not to leave it outside your room receive the money, a valid personal document of an asylum seeker has to be mit of an employee of the Centre, or in the lobby. You may receive clean- presented. the employee, by evaluating the ac- ing aids at the administration of the ● to keep quiet between 23:00 and tual circumstances of your absence, Centre 7:00 o’clock An employee of the Centre will provide the will have the rights to suspend the payment of the daily allowance to the asylum payment of the money for the peri- seeker who stays in the Centre and is under od of your absence. the age of 18: ● when departing from the Centre ● to his/her adult family member; 48h - return all issued possessions, ● to the legal representative of an including keys and access cards, and unaccompanied minor. leave your room clean 20 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 21 DETENTION OF AN ASYLUM SEEKER

● it is necessary to ascertain or ● there are grounds for assuming verify your identity or nationality; that you requested asylum in Latvia ● it is necessary to ascertain in order to hinder your expulsion; 6 the facts for reasons why you ● there are grounds for assuming days requested asylum, but this can that you present a threat to be done only by detention (for national security or public order Initially you may be detained for six ! You have to take into account that example, you crossed the State and safety; days and nights, but pursuant to The Border Guard will draw up during the asylum procedure you border without an obvious reason ● a procedure for your transfer has the court decision the period of the minutes (written record) may be detained and accommodated evading border controls); been initiated to the EU Member detention may be prolonged for regarding your detention and will at the specially equipped premises of ● it is necessary to decide about State, which is responsible for the whole period of the asylum explain your rights and obligations. the Border Guard in your rights to enter Latvia; examination of procedure. Before accommodation at the (or Liepaja) in cases, when: your application. detention facility procedures for health examination and sanitary   treatment will be performed. 22 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 23 ACCOMMODATION OF A DETAINED ASYLUM SEEKER

In the detention facilities the 72h Border Guard will provide asylum 10 seekers with food, drinking water ● if you have any health disorders, days at any time, as well as hygiene,  ● if you are an unaccompanied minor you will be accommodated in prem- essential items and medical you will be ensured with accommo- ises specially equipped for such ● if you have been declared for ● in certain cases, when you violate assistance. You will be accommodated at the de- purpose dation premises, in which there will international search, you will the internal order or endanger the tention facility in conformity with your be age appropriate equipment and be placed in premises specially safety of other asylum seekers, fundamental rights and safety, individ- personnel equipped for such purpose for not you may be placed separately in ual traits and psychological compati- more than 72 hours premises specially equipped for this bility, and also in conformity with the purpose for a time period up to 10 following conditions: full days

● family members will be accommo- ! dated together, except for cases if a While staying at the detention family member has an objection ● men and women will be facility, you have to take into accommodated separately account the internal rules you will be If you are a minor, you will be ensured introduced to. with a possibility of education. 24 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 25 EDUCATION ! In Latvia education is mandatory Please, observe the rights of a child from the age of 5 to17, which in- and plan his/her evening in a peace- cludes child preparation for elemen- ful manner, to avoid any worries the tary education, acquisition of the following morning at school! A minor asylum seeker will be enti- elementary education or the continu- tled to acquire elementary educa- ation of it until attaining majority (the tion and secondary education, as age of 18). well as to continue the commenced education, when majority (the age of 18) has been attained. ! The school to be attended by Attendance of the school is the minor asylum seeker will be mandatory, in case of unjustifiably i appointed by the Ministry of missed classes the school can In order to enrol the minor asylum Education and Science. invite the guardians of the rights seeker in school, his/her parents of children – the police or the or the legal representative has to Orphan’s Court for inspection. submit an application to the Cen- If a child becomes ill, he/she has to tre or, in case of detention, to the turn to a doctor, in order to justify Border Guard. the non-attendance. 26 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 27

You have the right to receive MEDICINE the State ensured: PLACE OF RESIDENCE OUTSIDE ● emergency medical assistance; ● pregnant women care and child- OF THE CENTRE FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS birth assistance; If you have applied for a visit to a doc- ● dental care in case of an tor-specialist, please, take into account emergency; that the reception hours are strictly de- ● primary health care (such termined - in case of a failure to appear as consultations of a general during them you will have to apply for a practitioner); doctor’s visit once again, thus failing to ● medicine and medical equipment receive assistance in a timely manner. provided for outpatient treatment; to be compensated from the means of the State budget; ! ● psychiatric assistance; If you have not been detained, you For the place of your chosen have the right to also live outside of residence you have to pay by your ● medical support for minors; the Centre at the place of residence own means. While living outside of ● immediately required secondary chosen by you, informing the Border the Centre you will not receive daily outpatient health care; Emergency medical care, Guard on that and also the OCMA allowance for the food as well as If you need any medical assistance ● services in cases of dangerous consultations of a general practitioner in case of changing the place of daily allowance. while staying at the Centre or at the infection diseases and medicinal and other health care services are avail- residence. detention facility of the Border Guard, products necessary for the able to you also if you live at the place you have to contact with the employ- treatment of tuberculosis. of residence chosen by you. If your ees of the institution or a nurse who health is in danger, you have to call the will organize your health care. ambulance to the phone number 113. 28 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 29

● to provide support for the commu- nication with natural and legal persons; SUPPORT OF THE SOCIAL WORKER ● to provide support during the process of receipt of personal identity docu- ments and opening of a bank account; AND SOCIAL MENTOR ● to provide information on the proce- Key tasks of the social worker and dure for receipt of benefits; ! social mentor: ● to ensure accompaniment to the The support of the social worker and ● to understand your needs and wishes places, where you and/or your children social mentor will be available to for commencement of life in Latvia; will study, work or receive services; both, asylum seekers who stay at ● to organize negotiations with you ● to ensure accompaniment to the the Centre, as well as asylum seekers and your family members on average humanitarian aid points for supply of who live outside of the Centre. within 3 working days after your arrival clothing, shoes and other items; to the Centre; ● to ensure accompaniment for a child ● to develop an individual plan for and parents on their way to school, to socio-economical inclusion, to regularly promote cooperation between you and Both, asylum seekers as well as Social workers and social You will be able to receive the meet and discuss with you and your the teachers; support of social workers and refugees and persons with alterna- mentors will be your advisors and family members the progress of imple- ● to provide support for the search of a tive status, are entitled for the servic- consultants, they will encourage you social mentors during the asylum mentation of the plan; dwelling from available resources and es of the social worker and social and be your support providers and procedure. If refugee or alternative ● to help to find alternative solutions of to help concluding a lease agreement; mentor. defenders. They will cooperate with status will be granted to you, you various issues, to attract and to recom- ● to help register with the Employ- you and your family, will help to will be able to receive this support mend necessary resources; ment State Agency and with a general i find solutions for any issues and will for another 12 months. ● to provide support for dealing practitioner; The services of the social worker and help you to get accustomed to the with daily situations, helping to create ● to represent your interests and rights social mentor are provided under the society of Latvia. understanding about the life in Latvian in other institutions; project “Promotion of Diversity” im- society; ● to attract interpreters for implemen- plemented by the Society Integration ● to help acquiring skills necessary for tation of the plan on socio-economical Foundation. In case of any questions daily life; inclusion. or uncertainties, please, contact with to establish and expand the social ● the Society Integration Foundation. support network;  30 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 31 THE INTERVIEW ! During the interview you will have an After the interview you will be If you are an unaccompanied Other representatives of the opportunity to provide detailed infor- provided with information regarding minor asylum seeker, the interview institutions involved in the asylum mation on the reasons you have left the further progress of your case, with you will be performed in the procedure also have the right to your country of origin or the country and you will also be able to ask presence of your representative. participate in the interview and to ! of your previous residence and why additional questions regarding the ask additional questions to you. After the acceptance of your asylum you ask for asylum. You will be able subject you are interested in. application for examination, employ- The time and place to submit additional documents and ees of the OCMA will perform the of the interview will be specified in evidence which can confirm the infor- interview with you. the decision regarding acceptance mation provided by you. You will have of your application the right to freely express your opinion for examination. about the circumstances of your case, but you will also have the duty to reply to the questions asked. The interview with you will take place in the absence of your family members, unless it will be presumed In order to give you the that their presence is necessary. opportunity to provide You will be introduced with the pro- information in the language you cedure of the interview shortly before understand, during the interview The information provided by you will it. Besides, you will be introduced ! be recorded using audio or video you will be provided with an Your representative also has the with the person, who will participate interpreter. technical means and you will be in the interview. right to participate in the interview. informed on that separately. 32 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 33 EXAMINATION OF THE APPLICATION FOR ASYLUM* 3 1 Scheme months month No.1 10 1 after the interview, but not Decision regarding refusal to workdays month later than six months after the grant refugee or alternative submission of the application. status can be appealed to the after the receipt of after taking the decision to The period of examination may court within a time period of documents by the OCMA accept the application for be prolonged for another 9 one month from the day of its from the Border Guard examination months coming into force

Decision regarding granting Acquisition of refugee or alternative status refugee or alternative status Decision regarding Examination in the court

  the acceptance of your Personal interview Decision regarding refusal The court will adjudicate the application within three months  application for examination to grant refugee or 3 after adoption of the decision regarding acceptance of the  alternative status  months application and initiation of the case Refused by the  court Exit from Application Decision regarding leaving Examination in the court  Latvia An application may be submitted to the The court will adjudicate the application within five workdays the application without court within 15 workdays after the day of  Application is ac- after adoption of the decision regarding acceptance of the appli- examining 5 15 workdays cepted for adjudication   workdays the decision coming into force  cation and initiation of the case  *Scheme No.1 describes the examining of the application for asylum in accordance with the regular procedure. 34 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 35        Scheme If you do not agree with the OCMA decision regarding: PROCEDURE No.2 your leaving of your a refusal to a refusal to discontinuation of a refusal to regarding the transfer application grant refugee grant refugee the examination resume the revocation or to another without status, granting and alternative of the application examination of loss of FOR APPEALING A DECISION Member State examining of alternative status your application refugee or status according to the alternative regular procedure status 15 workdays 15 15 1 1 15 1 workdays workdays month month You can request workdays month the OCMA to according to resume the ! if you are if you are the accelerated examination of You can dispute the OCMA decisions You have to submit an application As an asylum seeker you are detained detained procedure your application to the Administrative District Court (see addressed to the Administrative relieved from the payment of the Scheme No.2) according to the address District Court to the OCMA, which State fee when submitting the of the place of your accommodation or will forward it, including the whole application to the court. the place of residence, or dispute to the materials of your case file,  5  5   15  9   Ministry of the Interior to the court within one workday. workdays workdays workdays months (see Scheme No.3).

In the end of each decision is the information regarding where and You may dispute it to the Administrative District Court within what period of time you can When disputing the decisions adopted by the OCMA to the Administrative District Court, the State ensured legal dispute or appeal the decision, if you aid will be provided to the asylum seeker upon evaluating his/her financial status. do not agree with it. The court judgements are final and not subjects to be appealed. 36 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 37 PROCEDURE

FOR APPEALING A DECISION               Scheme Scheme No.3 If you do not agree with the OCMA decision regarding: No.4 If you do not agree with the Border Guard’s decision regarding:

prolongation of the prolongation of the refusal to grant refusal to payout a Detention for an obligation to register within a set period of     term for examination term for performance of financial means and one-off support after    time at the territorial unit of the Border Guard 7 of the application the personal interview daily allowance receipt of the status workdays 48 h               1 You may dispute it to the Ministry of the Interior You may dispute it to the head of the Border Guard 7   month workdays        If you also are not satisfied with the decision made in your case by the Ministry of the Interior 1 You may dispute it to the district (city) court month When disputing the decisions made by the Border Guard to the district (city) court, an asylum seeker is provided with a State ensured legal aid, without evaluating his/her financial status You may dispute it to the Administrative District Court

* you are due to the State ensured legal aid, when disputing the decision of the Ministry of the Interior to the Administrative District Court * you are due to the State ensured legal aid, when disputing the decision of the Ministry of the Interior to the Administrative District Court 38 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 39 PROCEDURE STATE ENSURED FOR APPEALING A DECISION LEGAL AID

If you do not agree  with the      decision of the SSIA

regarding refusal to payout a benefit after      € receipt of refugee or alternative status Decisions in your case can be In case if you do not have The State will cover legal aid within adopted by the SSIA - regarding sufficient financial means, the framework of one case in the the payout of the benefit You may dispute it to the Ministry of    you have the right to request and to following amount: after receipt of refugee or Welfare 1 receive the State ensured ● in the stage of extrajudicial and alternative status. month legal aid court proceeding legal consultation of not more than five hours;

If you are not satisfied with the      ● in the stage of extrajudicial and decision of the Ministry of Welfare 1 court proceeding for preparation month of not more than five procedural documents; You may dispute it to the Administrative ● representation at the court for not District Court more than 40 hours. 40 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 41

PROCEDURE FOR REQUESTING FOR THE STATE ENSURED LEGAL AID  If you are detained you have to submit this questionnaire to the Border Guard.    OCMA In order to receive a legal aid If you are not detained, You may dispute the you have to submit a written request you have to submit the questionnaire to the OCMA, which will forward it to the You may dispute the decisions of decisions of the Border Guard - completed questionnaire, where you Legal Aid Administration, as well as provide an interpreter for your communica- the OCMA regarding granting a regarding detention to the district have to specify the information about tion with the provider of the legal aid. status or refusal to grant a status yourself; about the decision you want  (city) court. In order to dispute such to the Administrative District Court to dispute; the fact that you do not decisions you are due to the State corresponding to the address of your have any free financial means, there- ensured legal aid and services of an detention facility. The Border Guard fore you need the State ensured legal interpreter for communication with will organize the assignment of the aid. (Questionnaires are translated into a legal representative. provider of the State ensured legal different languages, and you may ask When the Legal Aid Administration will assign a legal representative for you, aid on the basis of your request. to issue the questionnaire in the lan- it will inform the OCMA regarding the fact where and when his/her meeting with guage which is reasonable supposed you will take place, in order for the OCMA to organize an interpreter for your tobe understandable for you). communication. 

42 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 43 The amount of a one-off support for Amount of the benefit for an adult

AFTER ACQUISITION OF THE STATUS an adult person is €278.00 and for a minor person is €139.00 per month, for a minor

 - €97.00 per month, but if you are a - €194.00, but if you are a husband and a Refugee status: Alternative status: wife, then the amount of the one-off sup- husband and a wife, then for one of you -   port for one of you will be €278.00, but for €139.00 per month, for the other - € 97.00 the other €194.00, about what you have to per month, about what you have to agree ● A travel document (passport) After receiving a travel document issued in Latvia ● if you cannot receive between yourselves and specify that in will be issued to you, which is you will have to submit for storage to the OCMA your a travel document issued by agree between yourselves and specify that in your submissions. your submissions. going to be valid in all countries, personal and travel documents issued abroad which your previous country of

except of the country of your origin are at your disposal. residence, a travel document This support will be paid out by the OCMA. This benefit will be paid by the SSIA.

(passport) will be issued to you In order for you to receive a one-off

support and/or benefit, you have

You will receive the first travel document and the residence permit free of charge.  to open a personal account at any In order to receive a one-off support, A benefit for a person from the age of ● a temporary residence  credit institution of Latvia or Latvian you have to turn to the OCMA in person 15 until the pension age determined in permit will be issued to you. In  with a submission within a time period the country will be granted in the follow- order to prolong your stay in Postal Office.

of one month from the day when the ing cases: ● A permanent residence Latvia, you will have to turn to A valid residence permit in Latvia A one-off support and/or benefit for decision regarding granting refugee or - a person is employed;

permit will be issued to you, the OCMA every year one month gives you the right to employment in Latvia without a minor will be transferred to his/her alternative status has been adopted. - a person is unemployed, is registered which has to be registered every before the expiration date of legal representative.

 with the State Employment Agency, he/ five years at the OCMA any restrictions In order to receive a benefit, you have

 the residence permit. The OCMA she has a status of an unemployment to turn to the SSIA with a submission

 will assess whether a temporary In order to receive additional within a time period of 12 months from or a job seeker and he/she performs the

residence permit is to be issued information or support for the  the day of acquisition of refugee or duties of an unemployed person or a job to you repeatedly preparation of the applications, you

 seeker, including the fact that he/she gets Family members of a refugee will be issued per- may turn to the relevant authority alternative status. In the submission regarding both, receipt of a one-off involved in the official language acquisi-

● You shall have the right manent residence permits, while family members of (also to the Centre) or to the social ● after you have resided in support as well as a benefit, you have to tion programs (it is not necessary to reg- to unite with your family mentor.

the person who has acquired alternative status will Latvia for two years you will have confirm that the financial means being ister with the State Employment Agency members who stay abroad

be issued temporary residence permits for the equal the right to unite with your family at your disposal do not exceed the if the disability of group I or II has been

period of time as the person with alternative status. members who are residing abroad amount of the minimum monthly salary determined for the person or the person

 determined in Latvia per each person acquires education in an educational

● if you do not have sufficient means, you have the right to receive a support payment (one-off benefit) and a benefit for covering the -expen for which a one-off support or a benefit institution in Latvia in full-time program).

ses of your stay (benefit); a refugee has the right to receive the benefit for 10 months and a person acquiring alternative status for 7 months is being requested.   44 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 45

FINAL USEFUL CONTACTS 6

NEGATIVE DECISION 1 4 Legal Aid Administration Pils laukums 4, Riga, LV-1050 Free helpline: 80001801 E-mail: [email protected] www.jpa.gov.lv Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs State Border Guard twitter.com/JPA_lv Čiekurkalna 1. līnija 1, k-3, Riga, LV-1026, Central Board Tel. for information: (+371) 67588675 (Valsts robežsardze Galvenā pārvalde) Fax: (+371) 67829825 Rūdolfa iela 5, Riga, LV-1012 7 - 30 E-mail: [email protected] Tel.: (+371) 67075617 7 days days www.pmlp.gov.lv (+371) 67075739 facebook.com/IeM.PMLP Fax: (+371) 67075600 twitter.com/IeM_PMLP E-mail: [email protected] If you have been refused refugee or A term of 7 - 30 days can be determi- www.rs.gov.lv alternative status (the OCMA or ned for enforcing the removal order. Asylum Affairs Division 2 Society Integration Foundation court decision, if you have disputed You have the right to exit earlier Interviewing Room Aspazijas bulvāris 24, 3.stāvs, the OCMA decision to the court) than the term has been set in the (Patvēruma lietu nodaļas State Border Guard 5 Riga, LV-1050, intervēšanas kabinets) Daugavpils Board Tel.: (+371) 67078226 (LV, ENG, RUS) and you do not have any other legal removal order. You have the right to Accommodation Centre for grounds to stay in Latvia, a remov- apply for a support from the program Stabu iela 89, Riga, E-mail: [email protected] LV – 1009 Detained Foreigners www.sif.gov.lv al order will be issued to you or a implemented by the International (Valsts robežsardzes Daugavpils facebook.com/Sabiedrībasintegrācijas- decision will be adopted regarding Migration Organization, in order for Centre for Asylum Seekers 3 pārvaldes Aizturēto ārzemnieku fonds-1473806282831644/ compulsory expulsion. You to voluntary return to your home (Patvēruma meklētāju centrs) izmitināšanas centrs) facebook.com/Society-Integration- country. Mucenieki, Ropažu novads, A. Pumpura iela 105 B, Daugavpils, Foundation-619832468031137/ LV-2137 LV-5417 twitter.com/siflv 46 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 47 USEFUL CONTACTS NOTES 8 9

Non-governmental organization “Shelter International Organization for Migration “Safe Home”” IOM Riga Office (Nevalstiskā organizācija (Starptautiskā Migrācijas organizācija “Patvērums „Drošā māja””) IOM Rīgas birojs) Lāčplēša iela 75 - 9/10, Riga, LV-1011 UN House, Pils iela 21, LV-1050, Riga Tel.: (+371) 67898343 Tel.: (+371) 67503627 (+371) 28612120, (+371) 25565098 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] www.iom.int www.patverums-dm.lv facebook.com/IOM www.beglis.lv/www.refugees.lv twitter.com/UNmigration facebook.com/Patverums.Drosa.Maja twitter.com/PatverumsDM 48 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia 49 NOTES NOTES 50 Guideline for asylum seekers in Latvia

3 Mucenieki 1 Riga 5 Čiekurkalna 1. līnija Daugavpils Čiekurkalns

Brīvības iela 4 A. Čaka iela Rūdolfa iela Lāčplēša iela Grīziņkalns Stabu iela 6 9 7 8 2 Pils iela Aspazijas bulvāris Vecrīga Valmieras iela