Acceptance of visa applications from the citizens of the Russian Federation
The diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Republic of Latvia accept visa applications from the citizens of the Russian Federation in following cases:
- family members (spouses, grandparents, parents, children, grandchildren, and dependent persons) of the nationals of Latvia;
- family members of the nationals of the European Union, the European Economic Area, or the Swiss Confederation (under Cabinet Regulation No. 675 of 30 August 2011, “Procedures for the Entry and Residence in the Republic of Latvia of Citizens of the Union and their Family Members”);
- persons who have received the right of residence in Latvia;
- persons whose entry is related to humanitarian considerations (a serious illness of a relative or attending a funeral, or threats to safety or life of the person or their family member).
Each visa application is assessed in detail on a case by case basis to obtain proof that the person falls within any of the above listed categories. Where the purpose of entry is related to humanitarian considerations, the visa applicant must present documents confirming the purpose of entry and kinship.
In addittion to required documents, all citizens must fill in questionaire.
To restrict the entry of citizens of Russia and prevent security risks, the Cabinet has adopted Order No 599, “On Entry of the Citizens of the Russian Federation into Latvia”.
In accordance with the Order, as from 19 September 2022, only the following categories of citizens of the Russian Federation will be allowed to enter the Republic of Latvia while crossing the external border of the European Union:
- the holders of residence permits of the Republic of Latvia, the European Union, the European Economic Area, or the Swiss Confederation;
- the holders of a long-stay visa (D) of a Schengen Agreement member state;
- the holders of a short-stay visa of a Schengen Agreement member state who are:
- family members (spouses, grandparents, parents, children, grandchildren, and dependent persons) of the nationals of the Republic of Latvia;
- family members of the nationals of the European Union, the European Economic Area, or the Swiss Confederation;
- employees, crew members of freight and passenger transport service providers, crews of freight or technical voyages arriving in or departing from the Republic Latvia while performing their job duties;
- seafarers on their way to or returning from their workplace aboard ship;
- persons whose entry is related to humanitarian considerations;
- the staff of the diplomatic and consular missions of the Russian Federation accredited in or sent to the Republic of Latvia, and their family members;
- diplomatic couriers or ad hoc diplomatic couriers of the Russian Federation upon producing an official document confirming their status and the number of parcels in the diplomatic pouch;
- persons travelling to the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Latvia on a short-term business trip for the provision of technical support;
- staff of the diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Russian Federation crossing the territory of the Republic of Latvia in transit for the performance of their official functions and their family members, as well as persons crossing the territory of the Republic of Latvia in transit while on a short-term business trip to the Embassy of the Russian Federation for the provision of technical support in the receiving country;
- holders of a Facilitated Transit Document (FTD) or a Facilitated Rail Transit Document (FRTD) who are travelling from the Russian Federation to the Kaliningrad Oblast in the Russian Federation and back.
Please be reminded that on 12 September 2022, the Council of the European Union suspended the Agreement between the EU and Russia on the facilitation of the issuance of visas to the citizens of Russia, which means an increase in visa fees, submission of additional documents, and a longer period of processing a visa.
On 9 September 2022, the Council of the European Union adopted a Decision (EU) 2022/1500 on the suspension in whole of the application of the Agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation on the facilitation of the issuance of visas to the citizens of the European Union and the Russian Federation. The Council Decision applies as of 12 September 2022.
With the Council Decision coming into force, as from 12 September 2022, visa applications from Russian citizens are considered in accordance with requirements set out in Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code).
This means that the diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Republic of Latvia abroad:
- will collect a visa fee of 80 EUR;
- can process a visa application within 45 days;
- may request to provide additional documents to support a visa application;
- accept visa applications strictly observing the territorial competence of missions.