Latvia plans stricter attendance checks for foreign students

The Latvian government on Tuesday backed amendments that would tighten controls on study attendance by third-country nationals, LSM reported.

Universities would have to remove a foreign student holding a Latvian temporary residence permit for study from their enrolment lists if the student misses classes for five consecutive days and cannot be reached, or attends less than 80 percent of lectures and classes in a month.

The university would have to remove the student within 20 days after the conditions are met.

The proposed rules are intended to prevent higher education exports from being misused for dishonest economic immigration by strengthening the monitoring and admission requirements for third-country nationals at Latvian higher education institutions.

Exceptions would apply in cases such as the death of a close relative or serious health problems requiring hospital or medical treatment. The requirements would also not apply when attendance is impossible because of force majeure or other circumstances beyond the student’s control.

Universities and colleges would have to verify the reasons for a student’s absence, while students would be required to submit documents confirming those reasons.

The amendments would apply to third-country nationals who have received a Latvian temporary residence permit for studies in short-cycle, first-cycle or second-cycle programmes.

The Saeima, Latvia’s parliament, still has to make the final decision on the amendments. The bill is expected to take effect on the day after it is promulgated.