From 1 May 2003, the Immigration Law and associated normative acts regulating entry and stay of foreign nationals in the Republic of Latvia enter into force. This legislation is in accordance with the provisions of the acquis communautaire of the European Union.

The Immigration Law stipulates that a foreign national, on presentation of a valid visa, may enter and stay in the Republic of Latvia for up to 90 days within a six-month period. A foreign national is permitted a stay of longer than 90 days within a six-month period if he or she has received a long-term visa or residence permit; however, this condition does not apply to foreign nationals whose entry and stay in the Republic of Latvia is regulated under international agreements binding on the Republic of Latvia which relate to the abolition of visa requirements, or who use a United Nations, Vatican or European Commission passport as their travel document.

When applying for a visa at any Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of Latvia abroad, or, in the event of a visa-free regime being applicable, when entering the Republic of Latvia via an official border-crossing point, a foreign national will be required to present a valid travel health insurance policy guaranteeing the coverage of costs associated with health care incurred in the Republic of Latvia, including those associated with transport of the foreign national to his or her country of permanent residence in the event of sereious illness or death.

When entering the Republic of Latvia or when applying for a visa, it is necessary to produce a valid travel document with a term of validity exceeding the anticipated length of stay in the Republic of Latvia or the expiry date of the requested visa by at least 3 months. The travel document should include the personal data and photographs of all persons using this document to enter the Republic of Latvia.

In order to apply for a visa to enter the Republic of Latvia, a letter of invitation duly approved by the Citizenship and Migration Service is required. Only in the following cases is a letter of invitation not required:

• where this corresponds to the international commitments of the Republic of Latvia
• where this corresponds to the interests of the Latvian State
• where this is linked to humanitarian considerations
• where this is linked to a force majeure
• where the visa applicant is a Latvian or a Liv, or a person of whom at least one parent is a citizen of Latvia
• where the visa applicant needs to manage his/her real property or accept an inheritance located in the Republic of Latvia
• where the visa applicant is required to participate in court proceedings or investigative proceedings in the Republic of Latvia
• where the visa applicant is a provider of international freight or passenger transport
• where the visa applicant has paid a deposit of around LVL 1500 at an Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of Latvia. The aforementioned deposit can be paid in foreign currency according to the foreign currency exchange rate set by the Bank of Latvia

At official state border crossing points determined as such by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia, single-entry individual transit visas and short-term visas are only issued on occasions when, for objective reasons, a person has not been able to apply for a visa at a representation of the Republic of Latvia by providing the appropriate documentation. The validity of a short-term visa issued at a border crossing point does not exceed 15 days. The aforementioned procedure is also applicable at the state border crossing point located within Riga International Airport.

Visas of the Republic of Latvia are not issued on the basis of confirmed resort or travel vouchers.

To receive a residence permit for the Republic of Latvia, the necessary documents must be submitted in person to a Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of Latvia abroad. Foreign nationals already staying in the Republic of Latvia and holding a valid residence permit must submit documents to apply for a new residence permit to the Citizenship and Migration Service.