The Ministry of the Interior has announced that, effective September 1, 2025, certain nationals who have not been issued a visa or residence permit by Latvia are required to submit certain information regarding themselves, their relatives (if any) and their purpose of travel here before entering or transiting Latvia.
Amendments to the Immigration Law were adopted by the Saeima (Latvian parliament) on April 3, 2025.
- The new requirement applies to foreign nationals who are not citizens of the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland or Brazil.
- The requirement also applies to foreign nationals of non-exempt countries holding a valid Schengen visa or residence permit card.
- Those who entered Latvia by September 1, 2025 and are still in Latvia are not required to submit relevant information.
- At least 48 hours before arriving in Latvia, information must be submitted online at eta.gov.lv. After submitting the data, the traveler will receive automatic confirmation of receipt to their specified email address. In order to enter Latvia, a person does not have to wait for a separate permit.
- The information must be provided by the traveler themselves, not on behalf of another person, except in cases where the form is filled out for minor children — in such cases, it is completed by parents or guardians.
- If a traveler’s plans change before the trip, the form must be completed again. The 48-hour submission requirement does not apply to the resubmitted form.
Travelers must include the following information:
- purpose of travel (entry);
- the planned time and place of stay;
- travel route;
- contact information;
- elected positions held by one or his or her relative;
- election candidacy;
- the status of an existing or former official of the State or local government;
- Service in the Armed Forces, Special Service, border Guard, Customs or Interior, Justice or Foreign Affairs (also Diplomatic) Service.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.