🇱🇻Latvia Visa 2026: Entry Requirements
Europe· Updated 10/10/2026
Do you need a visa for Latvia?
It depends on your passport. Out of 198 nationalities documented by IziVisas, 93 enter Latvia visa-free and 105 must apply at a consulate before travelling.
Visa-free
93
nationalities
Consular visa
105
nationalities
Check the rule for your nationality
Pick your passport for the exact 2026 rule: fee, processing time, allowed stay and documents.
- 🇬🇧United Kingdom
- 🇺🇸United States
- 🇳🇬Nigeria
- 🇬🇭Ghana
- 🇮🇳India
- 🇵🇰Pakistan
- 🇰🇪Kenya
- 🇺🇬Uganda
- 🇿🇦South Africa
- 🇵🇭Philippines
- 🇨🇦Canada
- 🇦🇺Australia
- All nationalities
Transit visa for Latvia
Visa for airport or land transit.
- Stay:
- Same-day
- Fee:
- 90 EUR
Data updated on · Official source
Pick your nationality to see the rule
Indicative information, drawn from official sources and Wikipedia, and updated automatically. Rules change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Coming up: announced entry rules
- Europe: ETIAS travel authorisationExpected by the EU in the last quarter of 2026
Visa-exempt travellers will need to apply online (€20) before entering any of the 30 countries concerned. Applications are not open yet: beware of websites already selling it. Official EU website
Insurance requiredInsurance for the Schengen visa (AXA Schengen)
If your passport needs a Schengen visa, it is a required document of the file: at least €30,000 of medical expenses. Any compliant insurer is accepted; AXA Schengen is one. Only the consulate decides whether the certificate is acceptable.
Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Latvia visa requirements by nationality
The entry regime Latvia applies to the passports most often checked on IziVisas. Open a row for the fee, the processing time, the documents and the allowed stay of that exact route.
Latvia visa types, fees and processing times
Every visa category Latvia publishes, with the official fee, the allowed stay and the processing time when the source states them. Eligibility depends on your nationality: open your route for the rule that applies to your passport.
| Visa | Category | Allowed stay | Official fee | Processing time | Entries | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-stay (tourism) | Short stay | 90 days per 180-day period | 90 EUR | 15-45 days | Portal | |
| Work permit | Work | 5 years | 280-930 EUR | 60 days | Multiple | Portal |
| EU Blue Card | Work | 4 years | 280-650 EUR | 60 days | Multiple | Portal |
| Student visa | Study | Duration of programme | 280-930 EUR | 60 days | Portal | |
| Family Reunification | Family | 5 years | 280-930 EUR | 90-180 days | Portal | |
| Startup Visa | Investor | 3 years | 280-930 EUR | 30 days | Portal | |
| Airport transit visa | Transit | Same-day | 90 EUR | 15 days | Portal |
Visas
Visas from this country
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Information
Capital
Riga
Population
1,871,882
Currency
Euro (EUR €)
Languages
Latvian, Russian
Continent
Europe
Calling code
+371
Timezone
Europe/Riga
Area
64,589 km²
Government
Parliamentary republic
National day
November 18 (Proclamation of independence in 1918)
Internet domain
.lv
About
Latvia is a Baltic country in Northeastern Europe, a member of the EU, NATO, and the eurozone since 2014. It is known for its capital Riga, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and extensive forests covering nearly half its territory. Its economy relies on services, wood industry, and information technology.
Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)
Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.
Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Safety
Risk areas
Crime(Low)
- Avoid isolated areas at night
- Watch personal belongings
Terrorism(Low)
- Follow official alerts, increased vigilance
Transport
- Use official taxis
- Validate tickets
Natural risks(Moderate risks of floods and winter storms)
- Follow weather alerts
Health(Adequate healthcare system, free public healthcare for EU residents)
- Recommended travel insurance
- Standard vaccines up to date
Practical tips
- Register your trip with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Follow traffic rules
- Have health insurance
Accommodation (Hotels.com)
Hotels and other stays, with a free-cancellation filter.
Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Cost of living
Accommodation
Food
Transport
Leisure
Health
Others
Indicative prices in USD in Riga · estimated in October 2026
eSIM data (Saily)
Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.
Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Practical information
Electricity
Emergency numbers
Practical information
Right
safe
10-15% in restaurants
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Photos
Latvia
Nils Vega
Latvia
Joerg Hartmann
Latvia
Dmitry Plain
Latvia
Katrīne Skrebele
Latvia
Andrea Piacquadio
Latvia
Santa Atte
Latvia
Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz
Latvia
janis ezers
Latvia
Ralfs Žīgurs
Latvia
Boris Ulzibat
Latvia
Artem Makarov
Latvia
Travel with Lenses
Latvia
Ilze Ļihačova
Latvia
Anastasiya Badun
Latvia
Hert Niks
Latvia
Margo Evardson
Latvia
Martins Krastins
Latvia
vilnis Izotovs
Latvia
Alex Does Pictures
Latvia
Efrem Efre
Plan your trip
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)
Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.
eSIM data (Saily)
Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.
Accommodation (Hotels.com)
Hotels and other stays, with a free-cancellation filter.
Partner links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Guides to prepare your trip
Transit visa 2026: when a simple layover requires a visa
Staying airside and crossing immigration are not governed by the same rules. When a transit visa becomes mandatory, the Schengen case, the…
Schengen Visa Travel Insurance: The 3 Official Criteria and the Pitfalls (2026)
€30,000 minimum, repatriation, full Schengen validity: what the Visa Code really requires, the mistakes that get applications refused, and…
Visa Refusal: The 10 Most Common Reasons and How to Avoid Them
Funds, home ties, insurance, inconsistencies… The 10 most common visa refusal reasons, how to avoid them, and your appeal options region by…
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a visa to travel to Latvia?▾
It depends on your passport. IziVisas documents the entry regime for Latvia across 198 nationalities: 93 visa-free, 105 with a consular visa. Pick yours for the exact rule, with documents, fees and processing times.
Check by my nationality →How much does a Latvia visa cost?▾
Fees vary by visa type and nationality. The lowest published official fee is 90 EUR (Short-stay (tourism)). These are government fees only, providers and visa application centres add their own service charge.
Do you need a transit visa for Latvia?▾
Latvia issues a transit visa for travellers connecting or crossing the country without staying, valid Same-day. Conditions depend on your nationality, the length of the layover and whether you leave the airport's international zone.
Is it dangerous to travel to Latvia?▾
The overall risk level is currently rated "Overall safety level low to moderate, stable country in Europe.". See the Safety tab on this page for details by topic (crime, transport, health, areas to avoid) and practical tips.
What currency is used in Latvia?▾
The official currency is Euro (EUR €). See sample prices (accommodation, meals, transport) in the cost of living section above.
What is the capital of Latvia?▾
The capital of Latvia is Riga. The main spoken languages are: Latvian, Russian.
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