Latvia plans to limit visa applications for Russian and Belarusian citizens
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia plans to introduce restrictions on visa applications for admission and entry to Latvia for citizens of Russia and Belarus.
According to Censor.NET, citing Delfi, this is stated in the annotation to the draft legal act prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Thus, the annotation explains that "since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which also supports the Belarusian regime, intelligence and hybrid threats in the region have increased significantly. To prevent the entry of foreigners or other high-risk individuals associated with Russia's intelligence and security services into Latvia, since February 2022, Latvia has not only strengthened migration control and various checks, but also introduced other measures restricting entry into the country."
It is also reported that the Cabinet of Ministers' resolutions adopted three years ago imposed entry restrictions on Russian citizens and stipulated that Russian and Belarusian citizens who are issued a visa or residence permit must undergo additional checks to assess whether their entry poses a threat to national security or public order. It is noted that the Cabinet of Ministers' order on additional checks for citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus expires on March 5, 2025.
"In the future, in order to prevent threats to public order, international relations and internal security of Latvia related to actions against national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, state power or the democratic system of the Republic of Latvia," the draft legal act plans to clarify restrictions related to visa applications and crossing the external border of Latvia.
In addition, the legal act is expected to define not only those categories of Russian citizens who will be able to cross the external border of Latvia, but also those categories of Russians whose visa applications can be submitted to Latvian diplomatic and consular missions abroad. Citizens of the Russian Federation who do not meet the requirements of the legal act will be refused to cross the external border of Latvia, and visa applications will not be accepted.
In addition, in order to ensure the safety of Latvian residents and taking into account potential risks and threats to security, it is planned to determine the procedure for accepting visa applications from Belarusian citizens. The draft legal act does not provide for restrictions on the entry of Belarusian citizens to Latvia, as this would contradict the EU's position on the mobility of Belarusian citizens (this position is also supported by the Belarusian opposition).
As attached, the regulation may enter into force by December 31, 2026.
