Rules for Entry to Latvia from Russia in August 2021

Recently, we have been receiving many clients from Russia. Most of them come to resolve residence permit issues (for example, obtaining residence permit cards). Some come to purchase real estate.

We are publishing the response from the Embassy of Latvia in Russia (in Moscow) regarding the cases when entry into Latvia from Russia is permitted.

In the response, we received confirmation that residence permit decisions and arrival based on a residence permit are valid reasons.

Additionally, we arrange investment invitations for our clients (if large real estate investments are planned and it is necessary to view properties and conduct negotiations). An invitation confirmed by the Latvian Development and Investment Agency is also grounds for obtaining a visa and entry.

Below, we cite the embassy's response:

"In response to your email, we inform you of the following.

Currently, in accordance with paragraph 38.48 of the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia No. 360 of June 9, 2020 "Epidemiological Safety Measures to Limit the Spread of Covid-19 Infection" (hereinafter - Regulations), the prohibition mentioned in paragraph 38.38 of these Regulations on entry from states that are not countries of the European Union and the European Economic Area, the Swiss Confederation and the United Kingdom, does not apply to:

- citizens of the Republic of Latvia, members of their families and holders of a residence permit of the Republic of Latvia, as well as foreigners who, crossing the territory of the Republic of Latvia in transit, are returning to their country of permanent residence;

- citizens of the European Union and the European Economic Area, the Swiss Confederation and members of their families, persons residing in these countries, as well as citizens of the United Kingdom and members of their families returning to their country of residence in transit through the territory of the Republic of Latvia, including to the Republic of Latvia;

- employees and passengers of cargo and passenger transport service providers, crews of cargo or technical flights arriving in or departing from the Republic of Latvia to perform their work duties;

- seafarers who need to reach their places of work aboard a vessel or return from their places of work;

- foreigners whose need to enter Latvia to perform commercial obligations has been confirmed by the Latvian Agency for Investments and Development or the Office of Citizenship and Migration in accordance with paragraph 38.58 of these Regulations and on the basis of the criteria mentioned in paragraph 59 of these Regulations;

- foreign diplomats and members of their families crossing the territory of the Republic of Latvia in transit to perform official functions, as well as holders of Latvian diplomatic passports, officials of the diplomatic and consular service, employees and members of their families returning from countries where they serve or entering countries where they serve;

- citizens of Latvia who are members of official Latvian delegations or who need to reach their place of work under an inter-governmental project;

- full-time students and exchange students, if the higher education institution or college has issued written confirmation of the student's enrollment and arrival in Latvia is necessary for completion of the study program;

- athletes and sports workers, as well as representatives of international sports organizations whose arrival in the Republic of Latvia is related to participation in an international sports event organized by a sports federation or its member as accredited persons in accordance with the procedures specified in the Sports Law;

- foreigners entering Latvia for medical treatment (diagnosis and therapy) to receive services as part of medical tourism as agreed by the Health Inspectorate;

- accompanying persons in cases mentioned in subparagraph 38.48 10 of these Regulations, if the need for an accompanying person has been determined by a medical institution or the person is accompanying a child and their appearance in the status of accompanying person has been agreed by the Health Inspectorate;

- cultural workers whose arrival in Latvia is related to the provision of cultural services and organization of public events, and whose groups have been defined by the Minister of Culture in accordance with paragraph 61 of these Regulations;

- athletes of the Latvian Senior National Team, the Latvian Olympic Association, the Latvian Paralympic Association, as well as athletes of Latvian teams competing in international leagues in Olympic, Paralympic and technical sports and disciplines, and sports workers serving them, whose list has been agreed with the Ministry of Education and Science and who, after participating in foreign sports competitions, are returning to the Republic of Latvia. This information (including about persons mentioned in paragraph 61.6 of these Regulations) is published in aggregate form, without specifying particular individuals, on the web portal of the "Latvian Council of Sports Federations";

- foreigners, as well as members of their families, if the foreigner performs the duties of a leading researcher and researcher of a scientific institution by invitation of a derivative public person - a scientific institution registered in the Register of Scientific Institutions, justified by the necessity to ensure the fulfillment of the obligations of this institution in carrying out a research project (if the term of employment relations with the foreigner is planned to be longer than six months). The foreigner performs the mentioned duties on the basis of employment relations established by the institution that provided the invitation after the foreigner's arrival in Latvia;

- passengers of aircraft crossing the territory of the Republic of Latvia in transit without leaving the controlled zone of the aerodrome or remaining there for no more than 24 hours, if they can present confirmation of a transit flight.

If you have a valid residence permit or a national visa of category D and a decision on extension/re-registration, your family can enter Latvia.

For detailed information about the possibility of crossing the state border, you can additionally contact the Latvian Border Guard (robezsradze@rs.gov.lv; +37167075739; +37167075617).

Sincerely, Consular Department of the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in the Russian Federation"

If you wish to purchase any good real estate property, and individual approach is important to you, if you want to communicate with a real estate agent and lawyer in your native language, then contact our company KOM-INVEST! We will be happy to select a suitable property for you, answer all your questions, draw attention to significant nuances, arrange the transaction, obtain a residence permit, and manage your real estate.