NB! The new Entry/Exit System (EES) has been operational from 12 October 2025.
EES is an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay to Schengen area, each time they cross the external borders of Schengen countries.
The system applies to all non-EU nationals, regardless of whether they need a short-stay visa or not. With introducing the EES passport stamps will be gradually replace with a digital system that records when travellers enter and exit. The EES will be gradually introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026.
Read more on the site of the Ministry of the Interior: The new Entry/Exit System will strengthen the security of the European Union; at the beginning of its operation, longer border checks may need to be expected
For further information on the EES see: travel-europe.europa.eu
If you have questions about entry/exit, please call the State Border Guard at: +371 67075616 or send an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
NB! Starting from October 15, 2025, a new Electronic Queue Reservation System (ERRS) for vehicles has been introduced for crossing the external land border.
Before crossing the border control points at Terehova, Grebņeva, and Pāternieki, drivers must register at www.lvborder.lv or www.lvrobeza.lv . Drivers have to provide information about the vehicle, its driver, and cargo in the system, and pay a registration fee of EUR 9.30.
From October 15, 2025, only vehicles registered in the ERRS will be allowed to cross the external land border of the Republic of Latvia. Registration in the system is available starting from October 1, 2025.
Contact information for inquiries about ERRS: Road Transport Directorate, phone: +371 28775333, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
More detailed information is available on the Road Transport Directorate’s website.
NB! From 1 September 2025 third country nationals, who have not been issued a visa or residence permit in Latvia, are obliged to submit certain information regarding themselves, their relatives (if any) and the purpose of travel to the State threat prevention information system eta.gov.lv 48 hours before entering Latvia.
For more information about the procedures of entry into Latvia as from 1 September 2025, see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website.
NB! From March 19, the Latvian border crossing points with Russia and Belarus "Grebņeva", "Terehova" and "Pāternieki", will be allowed to be crossed only by cars or public transportation. The Decree came into force with the Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia of March 18th. The restrictions are in force for an indefinite period.
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.
In order to reduce threat to public order and internal security, the Cabinet has adopted Regulation No 123, “Regulations on restrictions on the acceptance and entry of visa applications of third-country nationals into the Republic of Latvia”.
In accordance with the Order, 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 Republic of Latvia:
- 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, minor children of spouses, 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;
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 90 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.