Permanent accreditation is required for journalists or other representatives of foreign mass media (hereinafter – a foreign journalist) permanently residing and working in Latvia, or regularly (several times a month) arriving in Latvia to create news items or articles on the current processes in Latvia.

To be granted permanent accreditation for 2024, a foreign journalist must submit the following documents:

  1. a completed and signed media representative accreditation application form;
  2. two photographs (size 35 x 25 mm);
  3. a letter from the head of the media outlet, indicating:
    1. a short description of the media outlet;
    2. a request to accredit the specific representative;
    3. a request to issue an official visa to the representative, if necessary;
  4. a copy of the representative’s press card;
  5. a copy of the representative’s passport;
  6. a Curriculum Vitae;
  7. the description of the representative’s creative work or copies of articles for the past year;
  8. a programme for the anticipated duration of stay or a short description of the purpose of visit.

A media representative may present the above-mentioned documents in the following manner:

  1. by delivering the documents in person to the Communications Group at Krišjāņa Valdemāra iela 3, Riga (previous appointment arranged by calling +371 67016272);
  2. by mailing the documents to the Communications Group (Krišjāņa Valdemāra iela 3, LV-1395 Riga, Latvia);
  3. by presenting the documents at an embassy, a representation or a consulate of the Republic of Latvia abroad.

The period of accreditation is from 01.01.2024 to 31.12.2024. If a foreign journalist applies for accreditation after 1 January, the accreditation will be valid till the end of the year.

Under the Regulation, a journalist is regarded as a permanent representative of foreign media in Latvia, if they reside and work in Latvia, or arrive in Latvia on a regular basis (several times a month) with the aim of producing news items or articles about the current processes and events in Latvia.

 

An accredited journalist is issued with an Accreditation Card, which is the key source of authorisation for foreign media representatives and members of their families to obtain multiple entry official visas for their period of stay in Latvia.

Media representatives are requested to file the documents required for accreditation with the Foreign Ministry in due time, since the processing of the documents may take one month.

The accreditation of foreign media representatives in Latvia is covered by the Cabinet Regulation, Procedures for the Accreditation of Mass Media Journalists and Other Representatives at the Accreditation Authority.