Visas to the U.S.
The Consular Section of the U.S.Embassy in Riga provides visa services to Latvian and foreign nationals residing in Latvia. If you are a resident in another country, it is often recommended to apply for a visa there regardless of your citizenship.
What is a Visa?
A visa is issued by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. A visa gives you permission to apply for admission to the United States; it does not guarantee entry. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS, formerly INS) officers at the U.S. port of entry will determine if and how long you are permitted to stay.
Comprehensive information on different types of visas and related information you can find on the U.S. Department of State website for travelers at http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html
Who Needs a Visa?
Latvian citizens may start travelling under the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) as of November 17, 2008 when going on a short leisure or business trip to the USA. However, all individuals having different purpose of travel than aforementioned are required to obtain an appropriate U.S. visa. Latvian citizens who have valid tourist/business visas may continue travelling with their visas if they choose so. No additional/new requirements for travelers with visas apply.
Please consult the page “Travel without a visa” for information on requirements for travelling under the VWP.
Latvian non-citizens are always required to obtain a U.S. visa for any purpose of travel.
Please note: Travelers who hold dual citizenship with the United States must enter and depart the United States on U.S. passports.
What types of visas are available?
Immigrant visas
Non-immigrant visas
The type of visa you require is determined based on your purpose of travel to the U.S.
Valid visa in an expired passport?
If your passport containing a still valid visa has expired, you may travel with two passports - your expired passport containing the valid U.S. visa and your renewed passport. Please ensure that your U.S. visa is not cancelled (perforated by a passport authority) and the spelling of your name, your date of birth is exactly the same in the old and new passports. If there is even a slight difference, you may need to apply for a new visa following the procedure described in the section “How to Apply for a U.S. Visa”. Latvian citizens may apply for travelling under the VWP. Please consult the page “Travel without a visa” for information.
Please note that you cannot travel with two passports if your citizenship is changed, for example, you where a Latvian citizen and you have a U.S. visa in your Latvian passport, but now you are a citizen of some other country. You are required to apply for a new visa (link to a page “How to apply for a U.S. visa?” in such case.
What to do if your passport with a U.S. visa inside is stolen or lost?
Please report to the Consular Section of any U.S.Embassy or Consulate at your earliest convenience if your passport with a U.S. visa inside is lost or stolen. You will be asked to provide information on your date of birth, the date your passport was stolen or lost, description of the circumstances of how it happened and type of visa you had. You can report to the U.S.Embassy in Riga by calling us +371 6703-6200.
Should you wish to travel to the U.S. again, please apply for a new U.S. visa following the instruction in the section How to Apply for a U.S. Visa. Latvian citizens may apply for travelling under the VWP. Please consult the page “Travel without a visa” for information.
Location and contact information
The U.S. Embassy is located in the city center, adjacent to the Old City and one block from the Monument of Freedom. Nearby buildings host Riga 1st Gymnasium and the Reval Hotel Ridzene.
Mailing/Street Address:
Embassy of the United States of America
Raina Bulv. 7
Riga, LV-1510
Latvia
Please see section “Hours and Services” for information on working hours.
Telephone: +371 6703-6200 (providing also access to recorded information in English, Latvian, and Russian on visas and related issues 24 hours a day)
Facsimile: +371 6781-4088
E-mail: AskConsular@USRiga.lv
Map:
