Latvia to assign identity codes to foreign workers with employment visas

Latvia’s parliament has approved amendments allowing foreign nationals who apply for visas giving them the right to work in the country to receive personal identity codes, LSM reported.

The changes, passed in a final reading on Thursday, will allow Latvian diplomatic and consular missions to enter these applicants in the Register of Natural Persons and assign them a single identification code.

Currently, information about applicants is recorded in the National Visa Information System, but they are not given a Latvian personal identity code or added to the register. The State Revenue Service can assign them a taxpayer registration number for tax administration, but this is done only when they are registered for that purpose and is not automatic.

Several public agencies, including the State Revenue Service, the National Health Service, the State Social Insurance Agency, the Central Statistical Bureau and the Road Transport Administration, have reported difficulties identifying these individuals because they lack a common identifier.

Under the amendments, the information will be added to the register when a decision is made to issue an employment visa. The personal identity code will appear on the visa sticker. The changes are intended to make it easier to identify foreign nationals and administer taxes related to their employment in Latvia.