Latvia to Permit Foreign Academic Staff to Work for Six Years Without Full Language Proficiency
Key Points
1. Latvia has amended the Law on Higher Education.
2. Foreign academic staff at higher education institutions (excluding lecturers and assistants) can work for six years without meeting Latvian language proficiency requirements.
3. Institutions will offer language learning support for foreign staff.
Latvia's parliament has passed amendments to the Law on Higher Education, allowing foreign academic staff, aside from lecturers and assistants, to work for six years without full Latvian language proficiency.
The legislation, introduced by President Edgars Rinkēvičs, was approved by 76 members of parliament on October 24, with only eight dissenting votes.
According to these amendments, non-Latvian speakers can hold academic positions for a single six-year term. They must learn Latvian during this period to be re-elected, in line with Cabinet of Ministers requirements.
Per Latvian public broadcaster LSM, universities in Latvia will help foreign academics gain language proficiency during this period. If they achieve the required language certification within six years, they can continue working in higher education.
Parliament dismissed a proposal requiring internationals to learn Latvian within the six-year timeframe, as suggested by National Alliance MPs.
Foreign Workforce in Latvia Grows
The number of foreign workers in Latvia has more than doubled since 2015, according to data from the Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. As of August, 15,558 residence permits were issued to foreign workers, up from 6,694 in 2015.
Jānis Lielpēteris, a board member of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, attributes the increase to local labor shortages resulting from past emigration.
The 2023 EURES report indicates Latvia faces labor shortages in 37 occupations, prompting changes aimed at attracting more international workers.