{"id":132839,"date":"2025-04-03T20:44:35","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T17:44:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/132839\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","slug":"latvian-legislature-passes-new-entry-requirements-for-belarusians","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/132839\/","title":{"rendered":"Latvian legislature passes new entry requirements for Belarusians"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

April 3, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>The Saeima has passed the final reading of amendments that would require foreigners to report the purpose of their visit when entering Latvia and provide information about their service in government organizations or law-enforcement agencies, Delfi <\/em>reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The National Security Committee proposed the legislation because, in its view, Moscow and Minsk use Belarusian and Russian citizens for intelligence and other malicious actions against the European Union and NATO members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The amendments will not apply to visitors from the EU and NATO states, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Economic Area, Switzerland and Brazil. Delfi<\/em> noted that the measure primarily targets Russia, Belarus and the Commonwealth of Independent States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third-country nationals who do not have a visa or residence permit issued in Latvia would be required to declare the purpose of their trip, expected duration of stay, place of residence, travel route and contact information 48 hours before entering the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travelers must say if they served in the public sector, the armed forces or security agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorities may fine foreigners up to \u20ac2,000 for failing to provide this information or providing false information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On January 5, media reported that in 2024 Latvia denied entry to 137 Belarusians perceived as a security threat. It also denied entry to nationals of Russia, Moldova, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Israel, Georgia, Tajikistan, the UK, Kyrgyzstan, the USA, and Serbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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