Latvia is a Baltic state in Northern Europe, bordered by Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south, Russia to the east, and Belarus to the southeast. It has a coastline along the Baltic Sea to the west. As a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area, Latvia's migration policies are influenced by EU regulations. While Ukrainian nationals represent the largest group of recognized refugees in Latvia, other countries of origin for those seeking international protection include Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and the Russian Federation nationals.

Latvia acceded to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol in 1992, and to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness in 2000. Domestic implementation of refugee protections is governed by the Asylum Law (Patvēruma likums) of 2010, which establishes procedures for lodging applications, conducting eligibility interviews and issuing provisional protection documents. Appeals against negative determinations may be brought before the Administrative Regional Court, and principles of non-refoulement are enshrined in both the Asylum Law and the broader Immigration Law framework.