Latvia formally declared on June 18, 2025, that it will no longer recognize Russian passports that lack biometric data, effective July 15, 2025. These non-biometric passports lack electronic data carriers, making them vulnerable to forgery and not meeting International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. Latvian authorities highlighted security concerns as the main reason for the move, labeling Russia as an aggressor state. From mid-July onward, Russian citizens without biometric passports will be denied entry, and visa and residence permit applications using non-biometric passports will not be accepted. Russian travelers currently in Latvia with valid short-stay Schengen visas issued before this cutoff may remain for the visa validity duration. Those with long-stay visas and residence permits have until January 15, 2026, to replace their travel documents. This policy reinforces Latvia's stance on border security amid ongoing security tensions with Russia.

Latvia formally declared on June 18, 2025, that it will no longer recognize Russian passports that lack biometric data, effective July 15, 2025. These non-biometric passports lack electronic data carriers, making them vulnerable to forgery and not meeting International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. Latvian authorities highlighted security concerns as the main reason for the move, labeling Russia as an aggressor state. From mid-July onward, Russian citizens without biometric passports will be denied entry, and visa and residence permit applications using non-biometric passports will not be accepted. Russian travelers currently in Latvia with valid short-stay Schengen visas issued before this cutoff may remain for the visa validity duration. Those with long-stay visas and residence permits have until January 15, 2026, to replace their travel documents. This policy reinforces Latvia's stance on border security amid ongoing security tensions with Russia.