Assistance for U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)
How to apply for a Transportation Letter at U.S. Embassy Riga?
Lawful residents of the U.S. not in possession of their green cards or reentry permits may apply for a Transportation Letter. The letter is valid for 30 days and it allows you to apply for admission to the U.S. where you can file Form I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card with USCIS. Transportation letters may only be issued to permanent resident aliens who are returning to the United States after an absence of less than one year.
LPRs applying for transportation letters should visit the Consular Section of U.S. Embassy Riga to submit their requests. Please call the Consular Section at +371 – 6703 6218 or send an email to askconsular@usriga.lv to schedule an appointment for this purpose.
Please prepare the following documents before applying for a transportation letter:
- Form Confirmation of Legal Permanent Resident Status;
- Photo ID (such as driver’s license, student ID, passport, etc.);
- Evidence showing the date when you last departed from the U.S. (e-tickets, boarding passes, etc.);
- Evidence showing that you acquired U.S. legal resident status (copy of your immigrant visa, USCIS admission stamp in your passport, etc.);
- Evidence showing that you maintained residence in the U.S. while temporarily visiting Latvia and/or other countries overseas (information about your employment in the U.S., tax returns, family situation, etc.);
- Police report if your green card and/or other travel documents have been stolen;
- Four identical color photographs (5x5cm) of your full face, front view, eyes open against a light background taken within the last six months. Please click for more information on photo requirements.
Transportation letter fee is 165.00 USD. The fee is payable at the Consular Section only, in U.S. dollars or the equivalent in Latvian currency at the Embassy's exchange rate in cash or by a credit card.
You will have to submit the above documents to the Consular Section and undergo an interview with the Consular Officer when you visit the Embassy for your appointment. Please note that in case your application for a Transportation Letter is approved it may take several days for the Embassy to verify your resident status with USCIS and prepare the Transportation Letter.
REMINDER: transportation letters are valid only for 30 days from the issuance date. Therefore, you should plan going back to the U.S. within the letter’s term of validity.