Latvia Strengthens Verification Of Belarusians And Russians When Issuing Visas And Residence Permits

The new rules are in force from this day, August 30

On August 30, the Latvian government adopted amendments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the list of countries whose citizens will be additionally verified when issuing visas and residence permits, according to Belsat.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Security Service of Latvia proposed to include Belarus, Russia and Cameroon in the list. Now the Russians will be subject to additional checks, regardless of the place of registration in the Russian Federation. Previously, only residents of such Russian regions as Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, and North Ossetia were subjected to additional verification.

The state agencies verify whether the entry of a foreigner into Latvia poses a threat to national security or public order.

Currently, Latvia does not accept visa applications from Russian citizens. There are exceptions for asylum seekers and applicants for humanitarian visas.

Latvia will consider the list of countries whose citizens will be additionally verified no less than once every three years.

Also on Tuesday, August 30, an informal meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council will take place in Prague. It will consider the EU entry bans for citizens of the Russian Federation.

Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs tweeted that he, together with like-minded countries, will advocate for a ban on EU visas for citizens of the Russian Federation.