Latvia to Tighten Entry Rules for Third-Country Nationals in September

Key Takeaways:

• Latvia is set to implement stricter entry requirements for third-country nationals without a Latvian visa or residence permit.

• The new rules are expected to take effect in September this year.

• The measures aim to enhance national security, with a particular focus on nationals from Russia and Belarus.

Latvia will introduce tighter entry restrictions for third-country nationals without a valid visa or residence permit issued by the Latvian authorities in September 2023, in a move aimed at bolstering national security.

The new regulations will require travelers who do not hold these specific documents to undergo enhanced screening. They will need to provide detailed information about themselves, their trip, and their relatives before entering Latvia. This includes the purpose of their journey, intended duration of stay, travel route, and contact information. This information will need to be submitted 48 hours before their arrival, according to Schengen.News.

The Latvian parliament, supporting the change during its final reading, emphasized the importance of these measures, particularly for Russian and Belarusian nationals. Latvian officials highlighted that some EU member states do not conduct sufficient security checks for these nationalities, prompting Latvia to take more stringent precautions to protect its borders.

Under the new rules, travelers will also be required to disclose whether any of their relatives have held official positions, including serving as state or municipal officials, working in the armed forces, special services, or holding roles in border control, customs, or government ministries.

Diplomatic Immunity Exemption

The amendments specify that nationals with diplomatic immunity, or those traveling for short-term official functions, will be exempt from the new rules. The Latvian authorities have also stated that the effectiveness of the measure will be evaluated annually.

Additionally, Latvia plans to limit the validity of temporary permits to no more than two months, further tightening immigration controls.

The tightened entry requirements are a response to the ongoing geopolitical situation, particularly following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Belarus’ support for the aggression. Latvia has already strengthened border checks with Russia and Belarus and called for other Schengen Area countries to cease issuing visas to Russian nationals.

For more information, check out the full article on Schengen.News.