On 15 July 2025, a decision will come into effect to only recognise biometric passports of the Russian Federation citizens as valid travel documents to enter Latvia.
Russia issues both biometric and non-biometric passports. The non-biometric passports issued by Russia do not comply with the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and they entail various security risks. Non-biometric passports do not contain electronic data carriers; therefore, it is not possible to compare the personal data of the passport holder with the data on the microchip, and such passports can easily be forged.
As the decision takes effect, Latvia will cease issuing visas in non-biometric passports and accepting applications for residence permits from the Russian citizens who do not hold a passport with biometric data.
From 15 July 2025, citizens of the Russian Federation holding a valid Schengen visa in their non-biometric passport will be denied entry to the territory of the Republic of Latvia both across external and internal EU borders.
A Russian citizen who, after 15 July 2025, will reside in Latvia with a valid Schengen visa and a non-biometric passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation, will be violating the provisions of Section 4 of the Immigration Law, which stipulates that a foreigner has the right to enter and reside in the Republic of Latvia if he or she has a visa or a residence permit, and a valid travel document. A person staying in Latvia without a valid travel document can be subjected to an administrative penalty.
Where a Russian citizen holds a valid Schengen visa in a non-biometric passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation and at the same time also a valid biometric passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation, they will be allowed entry and residence in Latvia after 15 July 2025.
At the same time, after the decision has taken effect, citizens of the Russian Federation already in possession of long-stay visas and residence permits issued by Latvia may continue to reside in, enter or leave Latvia, and they will benefit from a transitional period of six months until 15 January 2026 so as to replace their unrecognised travel document for a passport containing biometric data during that time.
Prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.