Latvia entry requirements for Russia passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed June 28, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Russian passport holders need a visa to enter Latvia. You must apply at the Latvian embassy or consulate before you travel — there is no visa-on-arrival or e-visa option as of 2026. Plan ahead: processing can take 2–4 weeks.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Schengen visa (C-type) required | Apply for a Schengen visa at the Latvian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Processing takes 15 calendar days, but can extend to 45 days during peak periods. You must apply in person — no eVisa option exists for Russian passport holders.Apply for visa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended departure from Schengen area | Your passport needs at least two blank pages for visa stamps. The 3-month validity rule applies to the entire Schengen zone — Latvia will check this at the border. Airlines also enforce this before boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for Schengen entry | Border officers at Riga Airport routinely ask for proof of onward travel. A return ticket to Russia or a ticket to a non-Schengen country works. If you overstay your visa, you risk a ban from the entire Schengen zone. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or invitation letter | You need a confirmed hotel reservation for the entire stay, or a notarized invitation letter from a host in Latvia. The visa application requires this upfront, and border officers may ask to see it on arrival. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Bank statements or cash | Show at least €50 per day of your stay, or a total of €1,500 for a 30-day trip. Bank statements from the last 3 months in Russian rubles are accepted. Credit cards with a sufficient limit also work. | Recommended |
Visa required — no exceptions
Russian passport holders cannot enter Latvia without a pre-approved Schengen visa. There are no visa-on-arrival or e-visa options. Plan ahead and apply at least 4 weeks before travel.
Schengen area rules
A Latvian visa allows you to travel to all 27 Schengen countries. But you must enter Latvia first or spend the most days there. If you're caught entering another Schengen country first, you may be denied entry.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for a Schengen visa
Book an appointment at the Latvian embassy in Moscow or the consulate in St. Petersburg. Submit your application, passport, photos, travel insurance, flight and hotel bookings, and proof of funds. Pay the €80 fee (€40 for children 6–12). Processing takes 15–30 days.
2
Collect your visa
Once approved, your passport will have a visa sticker. Check the dates and number of entries — make sure they match your travel plans.
3
Arrive at Riga Airport
At passport control, hand over your passport with the visa. The officer may ask for your return ticket, hotel booking, and proof of funds. Answer clearly. They usually stamp your passport for the exact days allowed by your visa.
4
Exit Latvia
When leaving, keep your boarding pass and any receipts. Overstaying your visa can lead to fines or a ban from Schengen.
Download Latvia Entry Checklist
PDF · Russia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 28, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
ValidityUp to 3 months from issue
Cost€80 (≈$87 USD)
Standard Schengen visa for tourism.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
ValidityUp to 1 year (or longer with justification)
Cost€80 (≈$87 USD)
Allows multiple entries; same fee as single entry.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stayUp to 1 year
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€99 (≈$108 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires additional documentation.
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 work permit and employer sponsorship. Allows long-term residence.
student visa
Latvia Student Visa (D visa for studies)
Up to 1 year, renewable
€99 (≈$108 USD) application fee
For enrolled students at a Latvian educational institution. Requires proof of enrollment and sufficient funds.
investor visa
Latvia Investor Visa (D visa for business)
Up to 1 year, renewable
€99 (≈$108 USD) application fee
For investors establishing a business in Latvia. Requires minimum investment and business plan.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Standard Schengen visa fee for adults. | €80 (≈$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, but allows multiple entries within validity. | €80 (≈$87 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayPenalty for overstaying visa-free or visa period. | €30 per day (max €3,000) |
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
Transit visa required
Russian passport holders need a transit visa to change planes in Latvia, even if staying airside.
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid Schengen visa or residence permit may transit without a separate transit visa.
Transit hubsRiga International Airport (RIX)
Health & vaccines for Latvia
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella, influenza)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedTick-borne encephalitisRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk
Risk in forested areas, especially spring to autumn. Use tick repellents and check for ticks.
Lyme diseaseModerate risk
Transmitted by ticks in rural areas. Prompt removal of ticks reduces risk.
Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk
Standard hygiene practices are sufficient; tap water is safe in urban areas.
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) – Riga Branch
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 visa and residence matters for southeastern Latvia.
Practical information for RU 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 = 0.88 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. Russian passport holders must get a Schengen visa before traveling. There is no visa-on-arrival or e-visa option.
Standard processing is 15 calendar days, but it can take up to 30 days during peak season. Apply at least 4 weeks before your trip.
€80 for adults, €40 for children aged 6–12, free for children under 6. Additional service fees may apply at the visa application center.
Yes. You must have travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000 for the entire Schengen area. The policy must be valid for the whole duration of your stay.
Yes, as long as the visa is valid and you enter Latvia first or spend the most days there. If Latvia is your main destination, apply for the visa there.
Overstaying even one day can result in a fine and a ban from the Schengen area for up to 5 years. Leave before your visa expires.
At the Latvian Embassy in Moscow (Chaplygina St, 1/12) or the Consulate in St. Petersburg (Ulitsa Marata, 11). You must book an appointment online.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 28, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.