- What does the decision not to recognise Russian non-biometric passports mean?
The decision means that passports of citizens of the Russian Federation without biometric data cannot be used as a valid document to enter and stay in Latvia, apply for residence permit or visa.
- To whom does the decision not to recognise Russian non-biometric passports apply?
This decision apply to all citizens of the Russian Federation without age limit.
- When does the decision take effect?
Latvia stopped recognising non-biometric passports of the Russian Federation citizens starting 15 July 2025. Thus, Latvia has stopped the acceptance of new long-stay visas and residence permits of citizens of the Russian Federation who do not hold a biometric passport.
- What happens after the decision has enteredinto force?
Citizens of the Russian Federation holding a valid Schengen visa in their non-biometric passport are denied entry to the territory of the Republic of Latvia, except in cases where they also hold a valid biometric passport of the Russian Federation. In this case, entry is permitted upon presentation of a biometric passport of the citizen of the Russian Federation and a valid Schengen visa in their non-biometric passport.
- How the decision affects holders of a residence permit?
Citizens of the Russian Federation with residence permits issued by Latvia until 15 July 2025 can entry and reside in Latvia, if they hold a biometric passport.
After replacement of the non-biometric passport of the Russian Federation with a biometric passport of the Russian Federation there is no need for a replacement of the already issued residence permit, if the personal data (name, surname, date of birth) indicated in the new biometric passport are equivalent to the personal data in the previous non-biometric passport. When registering repeatedly for a residence permit, a passport with biometric data is required.
- Is a person with a valid residence permit and a non-biometric passport allowed to enter Latvia?
The citizens of the Russian Federation with valid residence permits in Latvia and Russian non-biometric passports are not allowed to enter Latvia.
- Is a person with a valid residence permit from another EU Member State and a non-biometric passport allowed to enter Latvia?
The citizens of the Russian Federation who have residence permits issued in other EU Member States but do not have a biometric passport are not allowed to enter Latvia.
- Can the citizens of Russia with a non-biometric passport transit through Latvia?
The citizens of the Russian Federation who do not have a biometric passport are not allowed to enter Latvia in transit.
- How does the non-recognition of non-biometric passports apply to holders of Schengen visa?
Citizens of the Russian Federation holding a valid Schengen visa in their non-biometric passport are not allowed to entry to the territory of the Republic of Latvia both across external and internal EU borders.
Russian citizens who after 15 July 2025 reside in Latvia with a valid Schengen visa and a non-biometric passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation, are 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.
Russian citizens are allowed to entry and reside in Latvia if they hold 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.
- Is it only Latvia that does not recognise a Russian Federation non-biometric passport as a valid travel document?
Currently several other European Union Member States also do not recognise Russian non-biometric passports, for example, Denmark, Czech Republic, France, Estonia, Lithuania. Other countries are also considering such a decision; therefore, we recommend following the situation on the respective website: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu.