Topics and issues that dominated the consultations were mainly related to the acquisition and re-registration of residence permits, entrepreneurship, tax system, family reunification. Every third client was interested in the opportunity to learn the Latvian language in parallel to issues of legal nature. Specialists indicate that the number of countries whose clients seek consultation has expanded. “October through December 2015, consultations were provided mostly to third-country nationals from Ukraine and Russia, whereas we also consulted clients from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Taiwan, Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan and Israel this year,” one of the organization’s consultants – lawyer Alvis Šķenders – points out. “People really appreciate the chance to receive support of our state – free consultations on social and legal issues –, therefore they use this service actively.”
The target group mostly chose to turn for consultations in person – more than 200 times, while more than 150 consultations were provided via phone. Clients have also used the option to ask their questions electronically (
Free consultations are provided by phone +371 25565098, e-mail: konsultacijas@patverums-dm.lv, as well as in person – at the premises of “Shelter “Safe House””, Lacplesa Street 75-9/10, Riga. The consultations are provided in Latvian, Russian and English.
Consultations are provided under the participation agreement concluded between the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and “Shelter “Safe House” on 17 September 2015, on execution of certain public administration tasks for integration of third-country citizens.
*A third-country national is any person who is not a citizen of the member states of the European Union, the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation
Information was prepared by: Rasa Salina (Rasa Saliņa), Communications and Social Media Expert, phone: 22026355, e-mail: rasa.salina@gmail.com