Since the 1st May 2004, border control is maintained in the border control points at the external border as well as the internal border of the European Union (incl. border crossing points) on the Latvian – Lithuanian and Latvian – Estonian borders.

Border control is performed by the State Border Guards of the Republic of Latvia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.

During border controls the following checks are made (depending on the country of origin of the person concerned):

•     For citizens of EU/EEZ/CH as well as non-citizens of the Republic of Latvia:- mainly the minimum checks are applied, on the basis of travel document presented, the identity of the person is checked;

•     For citizens of third countries and in exceptional cases for persons mentioned in the previous clause:- full border checks are made or a part thereof; persons identity, other conditions of enter and stay are checked (visas, residence permits, work permits, existence of a health insurance policy and its validity, as well as observance of the period of stay), the vehicle at the person’s disposal (incl., examination of the vehicle’s  mandatory civil liability insurance policy),the person’s luggage as well as other forms of border checks are made.

To cross the border, a person must have a valid travel document and, if necessary, other documents of entry (visa, residence permit, work permit, health insurance policy, etc.). EU citizens may use a person’s identification card which is valid as a travel document.

At the EU’s external border control points in ports, railways, and particular motorways, the flows of persons crossing the border are separated:

•     EU/EEZ/CH citizens, as well as their family members who are not citizens of the respective countries when crossing the border with them, may use the corridor “EU/EEZ/CH citizens” or the corridor “holders of any passport” ;

•    All other citizens of third countries, as well as non-citizens of the Republic of Latvia, must use the corridor “Holders of any passport”.

Additional information about:

• border control 
• visa regulations
• issue of documents for entry