Frequently Asked Questions

The page is available only in Russian

The page is available only in Russian

According to article 380, paragraph 3 of the Customs code of Ukraine the temporary import of an air vehicle of personal use by residents into the territory of Ukraine is permitted for up to 1 year under a written obligation to reverse export subject to written Declaration and payment in full of state duties.

The sum of subsistence minimum is 4 440 EUR for adult and 2 665 EUR for children from January 1, 2016.  

According to rules of the Cabinet of Ministers № 276 dated June 26, 2001 with last amendments dated March 8, 2013, the areas of low taxation are recognized:

1.24. Hong Kong

Territories of United Kingdom:

1.2. Anguilla

1.12. Bermuda Islands

1.16. Jersey

1.19. Guernsey

1.20. Gibraltar

1.28. Cayman Islands

1.45. Isle of Man

1.47. Monserrat

1.50. Alderney

1.51. Saint Helena

According to the law on company profits, paragraph 3, part 8: " independently of any conditions in this law, tax on company profits, at a rate of 15%, levied on all payments and dividends that are paid by residents or non-residents of Latvia to legal, private or other persons who are located in the territories of the countries which are specified in the rules of the Cabinet of Ministers № 276, making a payment to the bank accounts of their representatives or third parties and payments which are made in the form of settlement payments.

Exceptions are payments for the supply of goods and purchase of security papers in the EU zone if these goods or security papers were purchased at market price.

Also:

5% applies to interest payments if the credit institution registered in Latvia pays them,

30% for the extraordinary dividends".

On request the bank issues a statement about purchase and sale of real estate for amount not less than 250 000 EUR. An applicant who pretends to a residence permit in Latvia, must provide this bank statement to the Embassy of Latvia.

In order to obtain a residence permit in Latvia it is required subordinated deposit opening in the Latvian bank in the amount of 280 000 EUR in the form of subordinated capital with the placement of not less than 5 years. The deposit cannot be cancelled until the efflux of time of the transaction according to the terms. Annual percentage rate – 1-2 %. Also, the state fee must be paid in the amount of 25 000 EUR.

Yes, they can.

But according to the Cabinet of Ministers regulations, the citizens of the listed countries (a list includes Afghanistan) applying for a visa or a residence permit in Latvia, will be additional reviewed (Security Police asks for additional information about the source of funds).

The nearest Latvian Embassy is located in Uzbekistan.

The aliens act (Välismaalaste seadus). 

The English LTD should receive a VAT number when income is more than 81 000 GBP.

More information can be found by this link: http://www.gov.uk/vat-registration-thresholds

Registered fixed assets value – if the company has fixed assets (real estate, cars, etc.) it can be taken into account in the requisite capital.

Residence permit in Estonia can be obtained on the basis:

• Equity participation in commercial association (LLC) + Investment 65 000 EUR.
• Individual Entrepreneur (IE) + Investment 16 000 EUR.

Investments are considered an equity capital, subordinated loan and registered fixed assets value. In this case, this company should not be dummy, it should produce a profit and has a formally employed workers (at least 3 jobs). A foreigner who has been issued a residence permit for enterprise, cannot work in Estonia under the leadership of another person. The company must exist for at least 4 months before applying for a residence permit.

Yes, it is necessary as this is one of the basic requirements.

No, the Latvian Embassy is located in Beijing.

Ambassador: H.E. Mrs. Ingrida Levrence

Address: Unit 71, Greenland Garden, No.1A Greenland Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Postcode: 100016

Telephone: (+86)10 6433 3863

E-mail: embassy.china@mfa.gov.lv

Working hours: 09:30 - 11:30 (Mon – Thu)

A non-recurrent refundable insurance deposit is a monetary amount which is transferred to the registration agents (company Intercorp) when using of their nominee service (director is private individual). This amount is refunded to the director when the client refuses a nominee service or when company liquidation.

In accordance with the decree of the Cabinet of Ministers №564, an invitation isn't necessary for a person who is going to receive a residence permit on the basis of opening the representative office in Latvia.

A document issued by the Latvian bank which confirms the introduction of 280 000 EUR in the form of subordinated capital (subordinated loan or subordinated shares) by a foreigner  with the placement of not less than 5 years. According to the conditions of the deposit, it can not be canceled before the expiry of the term of the transaction. Guarantee of EU countries covers all deposits. In the event of problems at the bank, in any case, the state will compensate the client an amount equal to 100 000 EUR.

When depositing cash to an account at HSBC Bank in terms of USD, the bank charges a fee in the amount 0,25% from total. It is also recommended to provide the supporting documents. It is best to transfer the initial deposit from any personal account of the beneficiary.

Yes, if a representative office begins to carry on a commercial activity then it should be re-registered in a branch. It is a different basis for obtaining a residence permit.

No, the residents/citizens of Hong Kong need not provide a Certificate of no criminal conviction (more information can be found by a following reference: http://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/home/services/residence-permits/).

But it is important to remember that it is necessary to provide an evidence of stay more than 12 months in the territory of Hong Kong to the Latvian Embassy (for example, ID card).

Advantages: as concerns the director it is only necessary a copy of the passport from him. Nothing is said about the bank statement and/or providing of a utility bill.

Disadvantages: it is difficult to contact the bank by email (an answer from the bank takes a long time) and difficult to get answer by the phone (all operators are busy). Eventually, it isn't clear how to get in touch with the bank in the future and how to open an account if the bank gives an answer so long.

VAT number can be obtained only for LTD company.

No, one person can’t own two Latvian microenterprises.

Yes, it is possible but subject to conditions that the reference is available in the Russian or English language and payment card must be an international standard.

The share capital shall be 2 800 EUR at the company's registration. The first installment shall be 50%. It is necessary to deposit a remainder of an amount over one year.

• Rietumu Bank
• Ribbank
• Citadele Bank
• Norvik Bank

Personal presence in the bank is necessary requirement after filling out online form.

VAT invoice is required in case of a transaction between the two companies which have a VAT number. If anything is bought for the business activities then the VAT invoice is required in order to return later the VAT from the British internal revenue service namely HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The English company should issue VAT invoice in paper or electronic form with a payment time limit.

VAT invoice is not required if the client (second party of the transaction) is not registered as taxpayer. In practice, there is no need to check when the counterparty is a taxpayer.

Certificate of Good Standing corresponds with the document – Certificate of Continuous Registration. More information in English can be found on the website of the Hong Kong Register: www.cr.gov.hk/en/publications/docs/29-e.pdf

The Schengen Agreement does not apply to employment issues. Latvian residence permit gives to foreigner the right to stay but doesn’t give the right to work in other countries of the Schengen Agreement.

The current migration legislation does not require a permanent stay in the territory of Latvia but the reality is that a high probability of non-renewal of a residence permit in the case of stay for a few days in this country. A reason of that if there is no need for the applicant to stay in the territory of the Republic of Latvia then the residence permit is not necessary for him and in this case it would be better way for him to get a visa.

Single exception is the investment in a government bonds. Under this variant, the residence permit is issued for 5 years without need for annual renewal, accordingly, there is no need to stay in Latvia.

In obtaining the Latvian residence permit, there is possible to stay no more than 90 days in half of the year and no more than 180 days in the year in each of other EU countries.

The English LLP has no owners / directors. LLP belongs to the partners which should be at least two. Also, there is the obligatory requirement to have at least 2 founders - Designated Members who have the same rights and obligations in the LLP as any other member. However, Designated Members are also responsible pursuant to the law for:

• Appointment of an auditor (if it's necessary);
• Signing invoices on behalf of members;
• Submission of reports to the Registrar;
• Notification of the Registrar about any changes of the partnership’s composition or any changes of the registered office;
• Preparation and signing of annual reports;
• Speech on behalf of the LLP in case of liquidation or dissolution of the partnership.

Yes, it is possible to get a card whereon will be specified only company’s name.

No, both the company’s name and the cardholder's name must be indicated on the card.

Yes, he can.

The holder of a Latvian residence permit has the right to request a permanent residence permit if the following conditions have been fulfilled:

• Fixed term of stay in Latvia: According to the Immigration law for obtaining a permanent residence permit it is necessary to stay in Latvia at least 5 years and during this time the allowable absence is one year. Herewith the absence should not exceed six month in one period.
• Passing the exam on the knowledge of the Latvian language at least on the category “A2” (this is the second lowest category).

Profit of micro-enterprise should be more than 1 400 EUR (as the salary of board member must be not less than 1 400 EUR if he received a residence permit in Latvia). The company's profit is taxed – 11%. The salary is paid to the employee after the payment of profit tax.

An example:

Profit of micro-enterprise – 1 600 EUR.

Tax – 176 EUR (11% of 1 600 EUR).

1 600 EUR (profit) - 176 EUR (tax) = 1 424 EUR (rest).

The salary is paid to the employee from these 1 424 EUR.

Income which is received by a Hong Kong company from a source outside Hong Kong (such as dividends which have been paid by a foreign company) is not taxed in Hong Kong.

It is necessary to send the Estonian notary the following documents:

• Scanned copies of the passports of the current owner and the future owner.
• Scanned copy of the Memorandum of Association.
• Purchase and sale conditions (written in free form).

It is necessary to come to Estonia in 2-4 days for the signing of documents on the change of owner. The residency status of owners doesn't matter. It costs about 50 EUR.

Corporate tax in the UK is 20% if the company's profits is less than 300 000 GBP or – 21% if the company's profits is more than this amount. The changes of a single corporate tax equal to 20% took effect from April 1, 2015. More information can be found by this link: www.gov.uk/corporation-tax-rates

The state, where the opening of a branch is planned, will require the registration papers in the English language.

Advantages of opening a company in the Netherlands:

• An absence of taxes on dividends and royalties.
• Tax treaty.
• Funds, which are received as dividends, will not be taxed in the Netherlands.

– from 1 EUR.

Annual accounts for Hong Kong companies is submitted yearly from the date of company’s registration. The last term – the 42^nd day after the date of registration. The cost of filling the annual accounts is about 12 EUR. If the annual accounts is submitted after the 42^nd day then the fee may increase from 100 EUR to 400 EUR. A calculator of submitting the annual accounts can be found by this link (it is necessary to specify the date of the company’s registration and the calculator will show the deadline of submitting for the next annual accounts): www.companies-registry.hk/e-alert/calculator.asp?lang=1

Yes, do this requires:

• Submit an application to the exchange for obtaining a work permit.  
• Processing a job offer. Draft of an agreement of employment for 90 days. Employee can stay in the country with this annual visa (no more than 90 days out of 180) and if he works and stays longer, it is necessary to issue a residence permit.
• Visit to the Embassy of Latvia in the country of residence for obtaining a visa. 

There is another option when it is possible to conclude a cooperation agreement between the enterprises of foreign state (country of residence) and Latvia then the enterprise of foreign state sends to work its employee to Latvia. But there is also restriction: the employee can stay in the country not more than 90 days out of 180.

If a student is a foreigner who is studying at the Latvian higher education institute then he is given a residence permit for a time of study. After graduation, he is given time to find a job and he can get a residence permit according to employment contract. If the student wishes to issue a permanent residence permit then the training period will be counted for him only 50% with all his training period and he should get himself a job in order to reach the rest 50%.

Example: a student who studied at the Latvian higher education institute for 5 years (he had a residence permit during this all time), wants to get a permanent residence. For this he needs to work two and a half years in order to that a period of stay in Latvia would be equal to 5 years.

The holder of Latvian residence permit can submit the documents for getting the USA visa to the Embassy of the USA of that country where an applicant actually lives and works independent from citizenship.  

• CV of the beneficiary.
• Completed application form from the bank.
• Scanned copy of the beneficiary's passport.
• Company's license (if the company has license).
• Public information (sources).
• Documents evidencing the company's activities (contracts).

It is Citibank, the one of the largest banks in the United States. Commission for account opening – HK$ 30 000 (approximately € 3 800).

According to the Commercial Code (Äriseadustik¹), §180¹ Compensation of the Board members (§180¹ Juhatuse liikme tasustamine):

(1) Decision of an amount of the paid salary to the Board member is decided by the owner or Board of the company (if the company has the Board).

This legal norm doesn’t establish a minimum or maximum limits on the salary of the Board member. Therefore, the Board member can work without a payment for labour.