OREANDA-NEWS  The Latvian Parliament has approved amendments in the final reading that give two years of deferral from deportation to Russian citizens who have not yet passed the Latvian language exam. This is reported on the website of the press service of the Seimas of Latvia.

"A person wishing to obtain a permit [for a residence permit] must undertake to learn the national language during its validity period and successfully pass the test," the message says.

The amendments were supported by 80 parliamentarians, 13 deputies voted against. Russians living in Latvia, after obtaining a residence permit, still have to pass an exam in the state language.

At the same time, an application for a residence permit must be sent by December 31, 2023. It was decided to exempt persons over 75 years of age from passing the exam.

As justifying reasons that prevented passing the exam for two years, circumstances related to health or others that do not depend on the will and actions of a person are indicated.

In September 2022, the Latvian Seimas adopted amendments that obliged Russian citizens with permanent residence until September 1, 2023 to obtain a certificate of proficiency in the Latvian language at A2 level.

Earlier, the Latvian parliament proposed to stop extending temporary residence permits to citizens of Russia and Belarus.