Russia e-Visa for Citizens of Latvia

Latvian citizens will need to get the right visa for entering regions of Russia. The e-Visa program began in 2017 and is slowly expanding to include all foreign nationals like citizens of Latvia.

Until the program includes Latvians, you may have to go to a consulate or embassy to get a visa. The e-Visa program will be included in the iVisa roster of online visa applications once it becomes available for your country.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Russian e-Visa Program

Russian e-Visa Explanation

This e-Visa program is currently open to citizens of 53 countries looking to travel to specific regions of Russia such as the Far Eastern Federal District, Kaliningrad, Saint Petersburg, and Leningrad Oblast.

Once citizens of Latvia are allowed to apply for an electronic visa for Russia, it will be released on iVisa’s website. Then we can help you more to figure out the best way to apply.

Entry Limits for the Russia e-Visa

The Russian e-Visa is a single entry visa. This means you are permitted entry in the Russian Federation one time. If you exit or leave Russia, you will not be allowed to reenter the country without another visa.

What regions of Russia currently accept e-Visas?

The following regions of Russia currently allow foreign citizens to enter the borders with a valid e-Visa:

• The Far East
• Kaliningrad Oblast
• St. Petersburg
• Leningrad

You can use our Visa Checker Tool to see if you have any e-Visa options currently available to use.

Expiry Date for Russian e-Visas

There is a 30-day window to use your e-Visa for Russia once it is issued. Find the “Date of Issuance” on the visa and add thirty days.

It is currently required to apply no less than 4 days before you travel to Russia and no more than 20 days before your intended arrival date.

Length of Stay Allowed with a Russian e-Visa

From the date of entry, you will be allowed no more than 8 days to explore the region of Russia to which your visa is attached.

Am I allowed to enter Crimea or Ukraine with a Russian e-Visa?

Russia still enforces its visa policy within Crimea, so it is likely that you can travel there. It is recommended to verify with your Russian connections whether or not it is allowed as the state of politics is volatile at the moment.

Traveling to Ukraine requires foreign citizens to follow Ukraine’s visa policy. Use our Visa Checker Tool to see if you are required to get a visa for Ukraine.

Crossing Regional Borders with a Russian Visa

It depends on which region you enter and what the specific requirements are for that region according to Russian federal law. Most visas though, are only good to use for the specific region that you chose to travel to.

The Russia e-Visa Application: Documents & Information Required

For the online application for the Russia e-Visa, you will at minimum need:

• Passport-Style Photos - Colored photos only, white background, ratio of 3.5 x 4.5
• Valid Passport - Your passport needs to be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the last day you plan to be in Russia. Have a couple of blank pages for stamping purposes.
• Health Insurance Policy - For the length of your stay in Russia, you must prove you have adequate health insurance for emergencies.
• Invitation Letter - You can request an invitation letter from your Russian tour operator or the hotel or hostel you plan to stay at while in the country. In many cases, an invitation letter from a natural or legal person who currently lives in Russia is also accepted and can be used for business, study, tourism, or personal reasons. If you are lodging in different regions of Russia, you will need an invitation letter from each host of your stay.

Russian e-Visa: Valid Travel Reasons

Currently, the Russian e-Visa can be used for various purposes: business travel, tourism, and humanitarian reasons (in sports, culture, science, and technology).

Starting the Russian Visa Application Process for Latvia Residents

When you plan your trips, use our Visa Checker Tool to get the e-Visa that you need. That will save you from having to go to a physical visa application center like an embassy or consulate.

Convenience is why we started iVisa. Come back and check to see when Russia allows Latvians to get a visa online.