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.
Starting 15 July 2025, citizens of the Russian Federation with a valid Schengen short-stay visa but without a biometric passport will not be able to enter Latvia. Those who have entered Latvia before 15 July 2025 will be able to remain in Latvia, and leave the country during the validity period of their Schengen visa.
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.