What happens if you are granted international protection?
A positive decision means that you have been granted either refugee status or subsidiary protection. If you are granted refugee status, you receive a permanent residence permit that you have to register after every 5 years. If you are granted subsidiary protection, you receive a residence permit for 1 year. In both cases, the residence permit can be extended if the circumstances remain unchanged. You need to apply for an extension to the residence permit at least a month before it expires.
The Qualification Directive and the Asylum Law entitle you to a list of rights that accompany international protection status.
Beneficiaries of international protection have the right to work or engage in self-employed activities immediately after protection has been granted. Activities such as employment-related education opportunities for adults, vocational training, including training courses for upgrading skills, practical workplace experience and counselling services afforded by employment offices, are offered to beneficiaries of international protection under the same conditions as nationals.
All minors who are granted international protection have full access to the education system, under the same conditions as nationals. Adults who are granted international protection have access to the general education system under the same conditions as third-country nationals legally resident.
Member States must ensure equal treatment for beneficiaries of international protection and nationals in the context of recognition procedures for foreign diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications. Beneficiaries of international protection who cannot provide documentary evidence of their qualifications must be given access to appropriate schemes for the assessment, validation and accreditation of their prior learning.
Beneficiaries of international protection are entitled to the necessary social assistance as provided to nationals. Social assistance granted to beneficiaries of subsidiary protection status may be limited to core benefits which will then be provided at the same level and under the same eligibility conditions as nationals.
Beneficiaries of international protection have the right to access healthcare under the same eligibility conditions as nationals.
Beneficiaries of international protection are entitled to access accommodation under equivalent conditions as other third-country nationals legally resident in the country.
Beneficiaries of international protection have freedom of movement within the country, under the same conditions and restrictions as those provided for other third-country nationals legally resident in the territory. Beneficiaries of international protection have the right to stay in another EU country for 90 days within 180 days. Outside the EU, entry requirements differ by country.
Already during the asylum procedure and after the granting of international protection you may have a chance to participate in different integration programmes or Latvian language courses that will provide answers to questions about the practical aspects of life in Latvia. But the participation is not mandatory and the availability of courses depend on the available funding. The State Employment Agency also offer Latvian language courses and other services specifically for recipients of international protection.