Saeima grants citizenship to scientist outside naturalisation process

Latvia’s parliament granted citizenship on October 15 to Indian-origin scientist Divya Kanana Viswanatha for special merit, LSM reported. She has lived and worked in Latvia for several years, and her family has invested in the development of science.

Latvian citizenship can also be obtained through naturalisation. Applicants must have lived permanently in Latvia for at least five years and pass tests in Latvian and other subjects. The process can take several months after documents are submitted.

The Saeima can grant citizenship for special merit to the state. Deputies consider a person’s achievements, potential future contribution and ties to Latvia. Such decisions are rare: the current 14th Saeima has granted citizenship through this procedure to 11 people. By comparison, 724 people became Latvian citizens through naturalisation last year.

Gunārs Kūtris, chair of the Saeima’s Citizenship, Migration and Social Cohesion Committee, said the main considerations are a person’s merits and whether they would be unable to obtain Latvian citizenship through naturalisation because dual citizenship is not permitted. The law does not set out the criteria in detail, he said; the decision ultimately depends on whether the Saeima agrees.

Kūtris said the committee receives about 15 to 20 proposals for granting citizenship each year, but only some are approved.

Viswanatha’s husband, Kanan Viswanath, received Latvian citizenship through the same procedure three years ago. The couple work in pharmaceutical research and business. The Latvian Academy of Sciences said the family had invested in establishing an artificial intelligence laboratory and was developing a drug research centre, where production of injectable medicines is also planned.

The report said Latvia needs to attract highly qualified talent, preferably established scientists, rather than spend years training researchers and waiting for them to complete doctoral dissertations.