Amendments to Article 4.⁴ of the Immigration Law are coming into force on 1 September 2025. According to the amendments, third-country nationals who do not have a visa or residence permit issued by Latvia are obliged, before entering Latvia, to submit certain information about themselves and the purpose of their travel to the State Threat Prevention Information System at https://eta.gov.lv/en/. 

Persons exempt from the obligation to register:

• Foreigners who are citizens of the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a member state of the European Economic Area, the Swiss Confederation or the Federative Republic of Brazil, and who do not have a visa or residence permit issued by the Republic of Latvia. See the list of exempt countries.
• Foreign nationals holding a valid Visa or Residence permit issued by the Republic of Latvia.
• Taking into account the purpose of the activities of diplomatic and consular services and the immunity guaranteed to the relevant employees of these services, an exception is provided for persons who enjoy immunity and privileges in accordance with the norms of international law binding on Latvia or who are on a short-term trip (including in transit) to perform official functions or to provide technical support to a Latvian or foreign diplomatic or consular mission or international organization.

Registration is compulsory for all foreign nationals who do not fall under the above-listed categories!

Registration must be completed at least 48 hours before arrival in Latvia, including if you intend to cross Latvia in transit. Information has to be submitted on the website at eta.gov.lv. The person using the system will receive an automatic notification via email 48 hours after submitting their information on the website, and there is no further need to wait for a separate permit. If the initial travel plans have changed, information about the actual plans must be submitted no later than 48 hours before entering Latvia.

Information must be submitted by the traveller themselves and not on behalf of another person.

Information to be provided:

1. personal information;
2. information on passport used for travel;
3. purpose of travel (entry);
4. planned time and place of stay;
5. travel route;
6. contact information;
7. elected positions held by the person or their relatives;
8. candidacy in elections;
9. current or former status of state or local government official;
10. service in the armed forces, intelligence or security services, border guard, customs or internal affairs, justice or foreign affairs (including diplomatic) services.

A foreign national is subject to administrative liability for failure to submit the required information and for providing incomplete or false information.

For more information, please visit the official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia – Procedures for Entry into Latvia (from 1 September 2025).