Requirements for crossing the border

Since December 21st, 2007, there is no longer a passport control for individuals and transportation vehicles at ferry terminals, airports and border crossings within the boundaries of the European Union.

The land border between the Republic of Latvia, Republic of Estonia and Republic of Lithuania can be crossed at any point. Persons crossing the internal land borders by using a transportation vehicle, may cross borders at designed areas.

The citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Zone and Switzerland must have a valid passport or a valid picture identity card. Travelers who are not citizens of the EU and whose countries of residence do not have visa-free access to the Schengen nations are required to have a valid passport with a valid Schengen visa or a valid EU residency permit.

All passport control and customs procedures concerning vehicles and persons are conducted only at EU external borders (with Russia and Belarus, as well as, at airports and port facilities, with the exception of internal ferry and air routes).

Travellers who are not citizens of the EU, Switzerland, or the European Economic Zone are subject to full passport control inspections (computerized inspections of persons and vehicles, utilizing official data bases, in depth document inspections, and examinations of nationality, vehicles, and personal possessions, means of support and full examination of work and residence permits with its supporting documentation) under all circumstances at border crossing areas.

European Union, European Economic Zone, or Swiss citizens and Latvian non-citizens are subject to a minimal passport inspection which includes checking a person’s travel documents with photo identification), a fast and simplified inspection of one's travel document ( visual inspection of expiration date and validity of the document), and if necessary a vehicle check.

For citizens of the EU, the European Economic Zone, and Switzerland or for non-citizen residents of Latvia border guards may still selectively check related Latvian and European data bases,  to verify that the person of concern does not present a substantiated threat to the internal security , social order, international relations, or public health in Latvia.

Citizens of third party nations, showing a valid Schengen visa or residency permit, or a residency permit of Switzerland or Lichtenstein, can cross in transit through Latvian territory or stay in Latvia for up to three months.  Holders of Latvian residency permits are entitled, while the permit is valid, to stay within the nation or travel to other EU and Schengen Zone nations for no longer than three months. 

All citizens of third party nations are checked in the SISone4all Schengen information system.

A mobile immigration patrol works internally, performing selective immigration checks of suspicious persons and vehicles within the territory of the Latvian Republic.

Countries whose citizens do not require a visa to enter Latvia:

www.mfa.gov.lv/lv/KonsularaInformacija/4517/4518/

Further information:
State Incoming Department
Customs office, Legal department’s consultation division
Kr. Valdemara iela 1a, Riga
Tel: +371 67507252, +371 67507253, +371 67507254
E-mail: konsultacija@dep.vid.gov.lv

Other useful addresses:
Foreign Ministry
Brivibas bulvaris 36, Riga
Tel: + 371 67016210, + 371 67016201
Fax: + 371 67828121
E-mail: mfa.cha@mfa.gov.lv
Website: www.am.gov.lv

The listing of all foreign diplomatic representations and international organizations in Latvia as well as Latvian representations abroad can be found on www.mfa.gov.lv

Consular Department
Elizabetes iela 57, Riga
Tel: + 371 67016364
Fax: + 371 67828274
Tel (extreme emergencies only): +371 29287398
E-mail: konsinfo@am.gov.lv

Immigration Department
Raina bulvaris 5, Riga
Tel: +371 8007657
E-mail: pmlp@pmlp.gov.lv
Website: www.ocma.gov.lv
Entry and Residence Wizard: www.ocma.gov.lv/