Key Points
- New Employer Requirements: Employers must justify the number of vacancies, assess candidates referred by the State Employment Agency (NVA), and explain rejections.
- Recruitment Timeline: The NVA will issue decisions on foreign recruitment within 10 working days of a vacancy’s publication.
- Mandatory NVA Review: Employers must obtain an official opinion from the NVA before submitting a job offer to a foreign national.
- Objective: These regulations enhance transparency in hiring processes and prevent misuse of Latvia’s immigration system.
Overview
As of January 1, 2025, Latvia implemented new employment regulations affecting how companies hire foreign nationals. These changes introduce stricter oversight on job vacancy approvals to ensure that recruitment is fair and follows national labor market priorities. The updated requirements balance economic needs while preventing immigration system abuse.
Key Updates:
- Employer Justification: Companies must justify the number of vacant positions they seek to fill with foreign workers.
- Mandatory Review by the State Employment Agency (NVA):
- Employers must evaluate candidates proposed by the NVA before extending job offers to foreign nationals.
- If an employer rejects an NVA-referred candidate, they must provide a valid reason for the rejection.
- Faster Processing Timeline: The NVA will issue recruitment decisions within 10 working days of a vacancy’s publication. This allows companies to proceed with foreign worker recruitment efficiently while ensuring local job seekers are prioritized.
- Pre-Approval Requirement: Before submitting a job offer to a foreign national, employers must obtain an official opinion from the NVA confirming compliance with labor market regulations.
These changes reflect Latvia’s commitment to prioritizing local workforce opportunities while allowing necessary foreign labor recruitment in sectors facing skill shortages.
Looking Ahead
For Employers:
- Companies hiring foreign workers should update their hiring policies to comply with the new vacancy justification and NVA assessment requirements.
- Expect longer recruitment timelines due to additional NVA review steps.
For Foreign Workers:
- Prospective employees should ensure their qualifications align with labor market needs, as the NVA will now play a more significant role in evaluating job placements.
- Job seekers should stay informed about industry-specific labor shortages that may influence hiring decisions.
Latvia’s revised job vacancy requirements underscore a more structured and transparent employment process for hiring foreign nationals while ensuring that Latvian citizens and residents have fair access to job opportunities before positions are filled by international talent.
