New Entry Requirement: Latvia Introduces Eta For Non-eu Travelers Starting September 1, 2025

Published on August 31, 2025

Latvia is introducing a caller introduction request starting September 1, 2025, for travelers from definite 3rd countries. The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) will beryllium mandatory for nationals from these countries who wish to participate Latvia without a visa aliases residence permit. The ETA is designed to streamline nan introduction process and heighten separator information by collecting individual and recreation accusation successful advance.

The move comes arsenic portion of Latvia’s efforts to amended its separator guidance and guarantee nan information of its citizens and visitors. The caller system, which is akin to physics authorization systems already successful spot successful different countries, intends to place travelers earlier they moreover get successful Latvia.

Who is Affected by Latvia’s ETA Requirement?

The caller ETA request will use to nationals from 3rd countries who wish to sojourn Latvia and who are not citizens of nan European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Switzerland, aliases Brazil. In addition, travelers must not person a visa aliases residence licence issued by Latvia.

This includes travelers from countries specified arsenic nan United States, Canada, India, China, and galore others. Even those who are transiting done Latvian territory will request to use for nan ETA. Additionally, travelers who clasp a Schengen visa issued by different Schengen state will besides beryllium required to complete nan ETA.

However, immoderate individuals are exempt from nan caller ETA requirement, including citizens of countries wrong nan EU, EEA, NATO, OECD, Switzerland, and Brazil, arsenic good arsenic holders of valid Latvian visas aliases residence permits.

Exemptions and Special Cases

Certain groups of group will not request to taxable nan ETA declaration. These include:

• Citizens of nan EU, EEA, NATO, OECD, Switzerland, and Brazil.
• Holders of a valid Latvian visa aliases residence permit.
• Diplomats, individuals connected charismatic authorities missions, and different circumstantial categories for illustration humanitarian workers aliases those pinch world immunity.
• Stateless persons recognized nether Latvian law.

Russian nationals, moreover those pinch residence permits aliases semipermanent position successful different EU state specified arsenic Estonia, will still request to taxable nan ETA. This request besides applies to Ukrainian citizens who do not person a Latvian-issued visa aliases residence permit, placing them nether nan aforesaid obligations arsenic different third-country nationals.

How to Apply for Latvia’s ETA

The exertion process for Latvia’s caller ETA is elemental but must beryllium completed online astatine slightest 48 hours before arriving successful Latvia. The physics shape will beryllium disposable connected nan charismatic authorities portal, eta.gov.lv, starting August 29, 2025. Travelers will beryllium required to supply basal individual specifications and recreation information, including:

• The purpose of recreation (e.g., tourism, business, transit)
• Contact details and recreation itinerary, including planned accommodation
• Information connected immoderate official aliases governmental positions held by nan traveler aliases their family members
• Employment details aliases engagement successful nan Armed Forces, Special Services, aliases different related fields

Once nan shape is submitted, a confirmation receipt will beryllium sent to nan traveler’s email. It’s important to statement that receiving this confirmation does not equate to an introduction permit; nan ETA serves arsenic a mandatory declaration. Any misrepresentation aliases omission successful nan exertion whitethorn consequence successful introduction refusal.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failure to comply pinch nan caller ETA request could lead to important penalties. Travelers who neglect to taxable their ETA shape aliases supply inaccurate accusation whitethorn look fines of up to €2,000. Therefore, it is captious for travelers to cautiously travel nan exertion process and guarantee each specifications are meticulous earlier submitting their forms.

Differences Between ETA and ETIAS

The preamble of Latvia’s ETA strategy comes up of nan broader European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which will travel into effect crossed each Schengen Zone countries by nan extremity of 2026. While some systems are similar, location are cardinal differences:

• ETA: Latvia’s ETA is simply a nationalist strategy that only applies to travelers wishing to participate Latvia. It collects individual and recreation information but does not assistance introduction permission. It is intended to service arsenic a preliminary measurement earlier travel.
• ETIAS: ETIAS, which will screen each 30 Schengen Area countries, is simply a European-wide physics authorization system. It will require travelers to complete an online registration for a fee, and nan support will past for 3 years aliases until nan traveler’s passport expires.

Impact connected Tourism and Business Travel

For business travelers and visitors readying to sojourn Latvia, nan caller ETA strategy whitethorn adhd an other measurement to their recreation preparations. While nan strategy is designed to heighten security, it besides ensures that Latvia tin amended negociate nan travel of world visitors. As pinch different countries implementing physics recreation authorizations, nan extremity is to facilitate smoother introduction for morganatic travelers while maintaining a precocious level of security.

Business travelers will request to facet nan ETA exertion into their recreation timelines, particularly for those visiting for meetings, conferences, aliases short-term business engagements. Tourists visiting Latvia should scheme up and guarantee they complete nan exertion process successful clip for their trip.

Tips for Travelers

1. Apply Early: Ensure you taxable your ETA exertion astatine slightest 48 hours earlier your presence successful Latvia to debar immoderate delays.
2. Accurate Information: Double-check each individual and recreation specifications earlier submitting your shape to debar penalties aliases denial of entry.
3. Monitor Confirmation Emails: Keep an oculus connected your email for nan confirmation receipt, which you will request for entry.
4. Check nan Official Portal: For nan latest updates connected nan ETA process, ever mention to nan charismatic eta.gov.lv portal.

Conclusion: Preparing for Latvia’s New ETA Requirement

Latvia’s preamble of nan ETA request is simply a important alteration that will impact galore travelers to nan state starting September 1, 2025. While it adds an other measurement to nan introduction process, it is designed to summation information and make recreation much businesslike for each visitors. Travelers must guarantee they complete nan basal steps to comply pinch nan caller requirements to debar disruptions to their recreation plans. As Latvia continues to fortify its separator guidance system, this caller norm is portion of broader efforts to streamline introduction procedures crossed Europe.

Key Points:

• New ETA Requirement: Starting September 1, 2025, definite third-country nationals will request to complete an online ETA shape earlier entering Latvia.
• Exemptions: Citizens of nan EU, EEA, NATO, OECD, Switzerland, and Brazil are exempt.
• Application Process: Submit nan ETA exertion astatine slightest 48 hours earlier presence via
• Penalties: Fines of up to €2,000 for nonaccomplishment to comply aliases for submitting mendacious information.
• ETIAS Launch: The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will beryllium implemented by 2026 but will not impact nan ETA strategy for now.