Citizens of the European Union countries can study in Latvia visa-free.
If you are a citizen of a non-EU country, please carefully read this page.
THE SCHENGEN AREA AND 90/180-DAY RULE
Latvia is a member country of the Schengen Agreement. This gives 90 days of visa-free stay and study in Latvia for citizens of the United States, Great Britain, and many other countries.
According to the 90/180-day rule, non-EU/EEA nationals can enter EU member states of the Schengen Area without a visa and stay there for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. The rule applies to cumulative stays within the Schengen Area and is calculated backward from the date of entry.
This means that on the day you enter Latvia, the border control will calculate, how many days during previous 180 days you have been in the Schengen Area without a visa. If this number of days is 90 or more, you will not be allowed to enter. If this number is close to 90 or big enough at the border guard’s discretion, you will be required to present your return ticket showing that you are not going to exceed the 90/180 day rule. If this number is zero or small, you will cross the border easily.
EXTENDED STAY FOR CITIZENS OF THE USA, JAPAN, KOREA AND SOME OTHER COUNTRIES
After the expiry of the maximum permitted duration of stay – 90 days within any 180-day period – the citizens of the USA, Japan, Korea and some other countries, without leaving the territory of Latvia, can stay in Latvia for up to another 90 days depending on the period laid down in the bilateral visa waiver agreement between Latvia and the respective country.
PROCEDURES OF ENTRY INTO LATVIA AS FROM 1 SEPTEMBER 2025
This is a newly introduced regulation. 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.
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 State Threat Prevention Information System at eta.gov.lv.
Persons exempt from the obligation to register are foreigners who are citizens of the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, 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.
OBTAINING A LATVIAN LONG-STAY VISA WHILE IN DAUGAVPILS
In case a study abroad program’s duration exceeds 90 days (e.g a semester abroad program), Learn Russian in the EU helps non-EU students obtain long-term visas.
The long-term visa is required also for students eligible for extended stay. The visa guarantees re-entry into Latvia in case a student needs to leave Latvia for visiting other countries.
Learn Russian in the EU handles the visa application process and all the paperwork required for obtaining a long-stay visa. Obtaining a long-stay visa does not require the student to leave Latvia. All expenses are included in the semester study abroad program fee.
Please find comprehensive details at the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ web page.