Visa Requirements for Latvian Citizens

Visa requirements for citizens of Latvia are the rules set by each country that dictate if Latvians need an entry permit. Different types of visa or travel authorization may be needed in different situations.

As of 2021, the Latvian passport is ranked 11th strongest in the world by travel freedom by the Henley Passport Index. It allows holders to visit over 180 destinations without having to go to an embassy and apply for a visa beforehand.

Latvians can apply online for an electronic visa (eVisa) or electronic travel authorization (eTA) to visit a number of destinations. These digital entry permits feature streamlined application systems that allow travelers from Latvia to get authorization to travel quickly and easily.

Online options are generally available for visits for tourism and often business. In some cases, they allow Latvians to make multiple trips. They are widely considered the most convenient option for nationals of Latvia traveling abroad.

Some destinations have a visa on arrival scheme available to Latvians. While good for last-minute trips, the downside to visas on arrival is having to spend an unnecessary amount of time waiting in line at border control.

A number of countries’ visa requirements for Latvians state that visitors must apply for a visa at a diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) before traveling.

In addition, the immigration requirements for citizens of Latvia moving to most countries around the world dictate that a residence visa, long-stay visa, and/or work visa must be acquired at an embassy.

There are also various countries that have no visa requirements for Latvian citizens for short-term visits. The terms and extent of visa exemption vary depending on the destination.

Learn more about the different visa requirements for Latvian travelers to enter countries around the world in the guide below.

List of Visa Countries for Latvian Passport Holders

Latvian passport holders must obtain a visa to visit over 130 destinations.

Depending on the country, Latvians may need to apply for a type of visa for a specific purpose. Examples include a tourist visa, business visa, or transit visa for citizens of Latvia.

Online travel permits are available to Latvians for a number of countries. These eVisas and electronic visa waivers typically permit short-term visits.

Latvian citizens must simply complete a quick online form and the visa or travel authorization is received by email.

Various countries require Latvians to apply for a visa at an embassy or consulate before their trip. This means going to the nearest diplomatic mission in person and submitting the application and supporting documents.

Visas on arrival for nationals of Latvia are an option for certain destinations. However, waiting until the border to apply for a visa runs the risk of having entry denied in the event of a problem, such as missing paperwork.

For this reason, applying for an eVisa in advance is recommended where possible.

Browse the map below to find out the visa requirements for Latvian nationals to visit each country.

Electronic Travel Visa Authorization for Citizens of Latvia

Citizens of Latvia can apply online for permission to travel to various countries and territories around the world.

There are 2 distinct types of digital entry permit for Latvian nationals: electronic visas (eVisas) and electronic travel authorizations (eTAs).

An eVisa for Latvian citizens is a visa that can be obtained online and is delivered by email.

An eTA for Latvians is a visa waiver that allows the holder to register online and travel to the destination without a visa.

The process of obtaining eVisas and eTAs for nationals of Latvia is very similar. To apply, travelers must enter their details in a quick online form. The passport registered must then be used to enter the country.

Latvians can get an online visa or travel authorization for over 40 different destinations.

ETAs and eVisas issued by different countries allow Latvians to stay for different periods of time. The maximum length of stay with an online travel permit can be anything between 8 days and 3 months for nationals of Latvia.

Citizens of Latvia can use an eVisa or eTA for tourism and leisure. In some cases, they may also be valid for business trips, medical treatment, and other purposes.

They generally also allow Latvians to transit through the country to a third destination. In many cases, this is a requirement for passengers changing flights.

For some destinations, an eTA or eVisa is entirely electronic and read when the Latvian passport is scanned at border control. Other countries require Latvians to print a copy and present this upon arrival (this is advisable in any case).

See below the complete list of countries that have an eVisa or eTA for visitors from Latvia.

Visa On Arrival for Latvian Nationals

A visa on arrival (VoA) for Latvians is one that is applied for and obtained at the border of the destination country or territory.

Fewer than 20 countries currently have a visa on arrival services for Latvian visitors.

Visas on arrival issued to Latvian nationals by different countries permit a maximum stay of between 7 days and 3 months, depending on the destination.

Visitors from Latvia can get a visa on arrival for leisure and tourist activities. For certain destinations, a VoA might also allow business trips and/or transit.

VoAs for Latvians may only be available at certain entry points to the destination country. It is important to plan the trip accordingly.

It is not unusual for travelers to be asked to pay the visa on arrival fee in cash in the local currency.

Latvians applying for a visa on arrival must join a queue at border control and wait to be given an application form to complete and submit. They must have all the necessary supporting documents with them.

If any documents are missing or another problem is encountered with the VoA application, Latvian travelers may be denied entry and forced to return home.

Applying for a visa online beforehand can avoid the risk of this situation, since there is time to resolve any issues, in the unlikely event they arise. This is why eVisas are highly recommended where possible.

Find below a list of visa on arrival countries for Latvians.

Bangladesh
Burkina Faso
Comoros
Gabon
Guinea-Bissau
Lebanon
Mauritania
Mozambique
Somalia
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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Embassy Visa Required by Latvians

An embassy or consular visa for Latvian citizens is any type of visa granted by a diplomatic mission belonging to the destination country.

Around 75 different countries and territories require Latvian travelers to apply for a visa at a diplomatic mission in order to enter for any reason or length of time. This includes short-term visits as a tourist.

In addition, Latvian nationals who plan to move to and/or work in the majority of foreign states must apply for the relevant visas and permits from an embassy. There are certain exceptions for which Latvians enjoy freedom of movement.

Latvian passport holders currently in Latvia itself can find various foreign embassies located in Riga. A small number of consulate-generals are also found in Daugavpils and Liepāja.

Various countries that do not have any diplomatic missions in Latvia have embassies in other nearby European capitals and consulates in other major cities.

The closest embassies of a number of countries for most Latvians are in Stockholm, Copenhagen, Helsinki, and Warsaw. As EU citizens, it is possible to reach these cities without having to get any other visa.

When applying for an embassy visa, travelers from Latvia may need to make an appointment beforehand.

It is advisable to apply well in advance of the planned trip, since many embassies take much longer to process visa requests than online services.

Browse the list below to find out which countries require Latvians to apply for all types of visa at an embassy or consulate.

Afghanistan
Aland Islands
Algeria
American Samoa
Anguilla
Antarctica
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bonaire
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Burundi
Cameroon
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Christmas Island
Cocos Islands
Congo
Cook Islands
Cuba
Curacao
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greenland
Guadeloupe
Guernsey
Guyana
Iraq
Isle of Man
Jersey
Liberia
Libya
Mali
Martinique
Mayotte
Montserrat
Namibia
Nauru
New Caledonia
Niger
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Pitcairn Islands
Reunion
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Seychelles
Sint Maarten
South Africa
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Syrian Arab Republic
Tokelau
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Wallis and Futuna
Yemen

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Visa Not Required by Latvian Citizens

Latvians enjoy visa exemption for many countries and territories. This means they can enter without a visa or travel authorization. In most cases, this only applies to short-term visits.

Travelers with a Latvian passport can visit around 110 destinations without a visa.

Depending on the destination, the maximum length of time that a Latvian citizen can spend without a visa varies from 10 days to 1 year.

Most countries that allow Latvians to visit visa-free do not permit them to engage in paid work. Tourism and transit are permitted under the terms of visa exemption. In some cases, business trips may be allowed without a visa as well.

Latvians will still need a visa or permit to live and/or work in most of these foreign countries.

There are some exceptions — as part of the EU, citizens of Latvia may move to any other member state visa-free.

See below the list of countries that allow Latvians to visit without a visa.

Albania
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Austria
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Federated States of Micronesia
Fiji
Finland
France
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Grenada
Guam
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kiribati
Kyrgyzstan
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Morocco
Netherlands
Nicaragua
Norway
Palau
Palestinian Territory
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Republic of Cyprus
Romania
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Senegal
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Spain
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Tuvalu
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela

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Freedom of Movement for Latvians

Latvia is a member of the European Union (EU) and Schengen Area. The policies of these organizations state that citizens of all member nations have the right to freedom of movement to all other countries in the blocs.

This means that Latvians can visit any EU or Schengen country visa-free. They may also use their ID cards as an alternative to passports.

It also means that nationals of Latvia can move to any EU or Schengen member country and live and work there without applying for a visa.