Latvia entry requirements for New Zealand passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 17, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
New Zealand passport holders can visit Latvia visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This covers tourism, business meetings, and short-term study. As of 2025, no visa or pre-arrival registration is needed for stays under 90 days.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the entire stay in Latvia | Your New Zealand passport needs to be valid for the entire period you plan to stay in Latvia. Latvia follows Schengen rules — the 90-day visa-free limit applies across all 27 Schengen countries combined, not per country. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Schengen area | Immigration officers at Riga Airport routinely ask for a return or onward ticket showing you leave the Schengen zone within 90 days. Budget airlines check this before boarding too. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Have a hotel confirmation, Airbnb booking, or a letter from your host ready. Border officers occasionally ask for it, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during the stay | Carry a bank statement or credit card showing access to at least €50 per day of your stay. Officers rarely check this for New Zealand passport holders, but it helps if asked. | Recommended |
90-day limit applies to the entire Schengen Area
Your 90-day visa-free stay is for all 27 Schengen countries combined, not just Latvia. If you've already spent time in France, Germany, or any other Schengen country in the past 180 days, that counts toward your 90-day limit. Use the EU's short-stay calculator to track your days.
Border checks at Riga Airport are usually quick
Riga Airport is efficient. Non-EU queues rarely take more than 15-20 minutes. Have your documents ready to speed things up. If you arrive late at night, the queue may be shorter.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Riga International Airport (RIX)
Follow signs to 'Non-EU Passports'. Join the queue for non-Schengen arrivals. Have your passport and boarding pass ready. The officer will check your passport, ask your purpose and length of stay, and stamp you in.
2
Present your documents
Hand over your passport. If asked, state 'tourism' or 'business' and your intended stay duration (e.g., '10 days'). You may be asked for your return ticket or accommodation booking — have them ready on your phone.
3
Receive entry stamp
The officer stamps your passport with the date of entry and the number of days allowed. Check the stamp before leaving the counter. If it's wrong (e.g., fewer days than expected), ask politely for correction.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After passport control, proceed to baggage claim, then customs. Green channel if nothing to declare. You're now in Latvia.
Download Latvia Entry Checklist
PDF · New Zealand Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 17, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For stays beyond the visa-free period or if you need a visa.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Allows multiple entries, but total stay cannot exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.
Long-stay visa (national D visa)
Max stayUp to 1 year
Validity1 year
Cost€99 (~$108 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification. Requires sponsorship and additional documents.
work visa
Latvia Work Visa (D Visa for Employment)
Up to 1 year, renewable
€99 (~$108 USD) application fee
For those with a job offer from a Latvian employer. Requires a work permit and employer sponsorship. Allows family reunification.
student visa
Latvia Student Visa (D Visa for Studies)
Up to 1 year, renewable annually
€99 (~$108 USD) application fee
For enrollment in a recognized Latvian educational institution. Must show proof of acceptance and sufficient funds. Allows part-time work.
digital nomad visa
Latvia Digital Nomad Visa
1 year, non-renewable
€99 (~$108 USD) application fee
For remote workers with a registered business or employment outside Latvia. Requires minimum monthly income of €2,500. Allows stay and work remotely.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays longer than 90 days or if visa is required. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, valid for multiple entries within validity period. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayMaximum fine is €1,400 (~$1,520 USD). Overstaying can also lead to entry bans. | €14 (~$15 USD) per day |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Latvia
No transit visa needed
New Zealand passport holders do not need a transit visa for airside transit through Latvian airports, as they are visa-free for short stays.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsRiga International Airport (RIX)
Health & vaccines for Latvia
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, influenza)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedTick-borne encephalitisRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk
Ticks in forested areas can transmit this virus; vaccination recommended for outdoor activities.
Lyme diseaseModerate risk
Also tick-borne, common in rural and wooded areas; use insect repellent and check for ticks.
Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk
Standard hygiene precautions are sufficient; tap water is safe to drink.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Riga
Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA)
Čiekurkalna 1. līnija 1, Riga, LV-1026
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Main office for visa extensions and residence permits. Appointments recommended.
Daugavpils
OCMA Daugavpils Branch
Vienības iela 13, Daugavpils, LV-5401
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Handles immigration matters for the eastern region.
Practical information for NZ travellers
Country basics
CapitalRiga
LanguageLatvian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 6 months.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.86 EUR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+2
vs New York+7h
vs Los Angeles+10h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C (two round pins) and Type F (two round pins with grounding clips)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Latvia.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No. The visa-free stay is strictly 90 days within any 180-day period. You cannot extend it from within Latvia. For longer stays, you'd need to apply for a national visa (D visa) from a Latvian embassy before travel.
No. For stays under 90 days, no registration is required. If you stay longer than 90 days (with a visa), you must register with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs within 30 days.
Yes. There are no internal border checks within the Schengen Area. You can drive, bus, or train from Estonia, Lithuania, or Poland without showing your passport. However, keep your passport handy for random checks.
You will likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at the border. Renew your passport before travel. A damaged passport (torn pages, water damage, etc.) is also grounds for refusal.
No. If you're transiting through Riga International Airport and staying airside (not passing through passport control), you don't need a visa. But if you need to leave the transit area, you'll need a Schengen visa.
Technically, the visa-free stay is for tourism, business meetings, and short-term study. Remote work for a non-Latvian employer is a grey area. For clarity, check with the Latvian embassy. If you plan to work for a Latvian company, you need a work visa.
Overstaying is a violation of Schengen rules. You may be fined (up to €350), banned from re-entering the Schengen Area for up to 3 years, or both. The fine is paid on the spot or at the border. Always track your days carefully.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 17, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.