- 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 residency or visa.
- To whom does the decision not to recognise Russian non-biometric passports apply?
To all citizens of the Russian Federation without age limit.
- When does the decision take effect?
Latvia will stop recognising non-biometric passports of the Russian Federation citizens starting 15 July 2025.
Citizens of the Russian Federation with long-stay visas and residence permits issued by Latvia until 15 July 2025, will be able to continue residing or entering Latvia until 15 January 2026.
- What will happen immediately after the decision enters into force?
From 15 July 2025, Latvia will stop accepting and issuing applications for new visas and first-time residence permits to the citizens of the Russian Federation who do not hold a biometric passport.
From 15 July 2025, citizens of the Russian Federation holding a valid Schengen visa in their non-biometric passport will be 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 will be permitted upon presentation of a biometric passport of the citizen of the Russian Federation and a valid Schengen visa in their non-biometric passport.
- Will there be a transition period?
The transition period will last for six months, until 15 January 2026. If citizens of the Russian Federation with long-stay visas and residence permits issued by Latvia until 15 July 2025 will want to keep residing or entering Latvia after 15 January 2026, they will have to replace their non-recognised travel document with a biometric passport until 15 January 2026.
- How will the decision affect holders of a residence permit?
Citizens of the Russian Federation with residence permits issued by Latvia until 15 July 2025, who hold a non-biometric passport will be able to continue residing or entering Latvia until 15 January 2026. If citizens of the Russian Federation with long-stay visas and residence permits issued by Latvia until 15 July 2025, will want to continue residing or entering Latvia after 15 January 2026, they have to replace their non-biometric passport of the Russian Federation with a biometric passport of the Russian Federation.
The decision will not affect the period for an already issued residence permit. After replacement of the non-biometric passport of the Russian Federation with a biometric passport of the Russian Federation there will be 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. Repeated registration for a residence permit will still be possible until 15 January 2026 with a non-biometric passport. However, when registering repeatedly for a residence permit after the end of the transitional period, a passport with biometric data will be 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 allowed to enter Latvia until the end of the transitional period. After 15 January 2026, this will be prohibited.
- 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 will not be allowed to enter Latvia after 15 July 2025.
- 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 will not be allowed to enter Latvia in transit after 15 July 2025.
- How does the non-recognition of non-biometric passports apply to holders of Schengen visa?
From 15 July 2025 citizens of the Russian Federation holding a valid Schengen visa in their non-biometric passport will be 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 will be permitted upon presentation of a biometric passport of the Russian Federation and a valid Schengen visa in their non-biometric passport.
- 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.