Latvia will not issue short-stay visas to Belarusians until 31 December 2027

The Latvian government has decided to extend restrictions on issuing visas to Belarusian citizens until 31 December 2027. The cabinet backed the decision on 10 November, the Latvian outlet Grani.lv reports. The previous restrictions were in force until 31 December 2026.

According to private Belarusian media outlets operating in the country, restrictions on entry and on accepting visa applications have also been extended for Russians. The Latvian authorities intend to treat all other Belarusians and Russians as people who "pose a threat to political and internal security".

For most Belarusians this means another year without the ability to apply for a short-stay Schengen visa to Latvia. Exceptions remain for family members of citizens and non-citizens of Latvia, including brothers and sisters, as well as for relatives of Belarusians who hold a valid right of residence in Latvia. Applications will also be accepted from family members of citizens of the EU, the European Economic Area and Switzerland, and from those who need to enter for humanitarian reasons.

Applications for short-stay visas will continue to be accepted from freight and passenger transport workers, crews of cargo and technical flights arriving on official business, and seafarers heading to or returning from a ship. The restrictions will not affect certain categories of staff of diplomatic and consular missions, their family members, diplomatic couriers and specialists coming to carry out technical maintenance of embassies.

Belarusians can still apply for long-term national visas.

Latvia's Foreign Ministry explained the extension by the continuing war in Ukraine, the unstable situation in the region and the need to ensure the country's internal security. The Latvian authorities note that the duration of the restrictions may be changed depending on the situation with security, public order and the country's international relations.