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Latvia
Country Specific Information
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October 02, 2008
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
Latvia is a stable democracy with a developing economy. Most tourist facilities found in a western European city are available
in the capital city of Riga. However, some of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries are not yet available
in other parts of the country. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Latvia for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Latvia is a party to the Schengen agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter Latvia for up to 90 days for tourist or business
purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. For further details
about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our fact sheet. Travelers remaining in Latvia for more than 90
days, including 180 day periods that cross over two half-calendar years, must apply for temporary residence. All travelers
must have a valid insurance policy, covering medical expenses while in Latvia. Repatriation costs, including funeral and disposition
of remains costs also have to be covered by the policy. In addition, upon entering or exiting the country, travelers must
declare cash in excess of 10,000 euros to Latvian customs. For more information, travelers may contact the Latvian Embassy,
at 2306 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel. (202)328-2840, fax (202) 328-2860. For further information, visit
http://www.latvia-usa.org. Within Latvia, contact the Ministry of Interiors Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs at Ciekurkalna 1, linija 1,k,3,Riga,
LV 1026. Tel. (371)67219645, (371)67219679, (371)80007657, fax (371)67219654, e-mail: pmlp@pmlp.gov.lv, web site http://www.ocma.gov.
Any traveler to Russia, even in transit, is advised to obtain a visa prior to entry into Latvia. The process of obtaining
a visa at the Russian Embassy in Riga can be lengthy, and involve surrender of the passport for an undetermined period of
time. Visit the Embassy of Latvia web site at http://www.latvia-usa.org for the most current visa information.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Civil unrest is not a problem in Riga. Nonetheless, in the past, Riga has seen large, peaceful demonstrations related to internal political issues. While demonstrations have been peaceful, American citizens are nevertheless cautioned to avoid any large public demonstrations. There have been no incidents of terrorism directed toward American interests. Incidents of anti-Americanism are rare. However, instances of racially motivated verbal harassment, and on occasion, physical assaults on non-Caucasian foreigners, have occurred in Riga. There have also been reports of non-Caucasian foreigners being subjected to extra scrutiny by security guards in shops and malls in Riga. Additionally, individuals displaying alternative lifestyles have experienced harassment.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution can be found.
Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside
the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For
general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the
Department of State’s notice A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: Crime in Riga is generally non-violent. The majority of non-violent crime tends toward acts of pickpocketing, identity theft,
and personal scams. However, there have been instances of serious violent assaults and robberies. Street crime is a serious
problem, particularly for tourists. In addition to pickpockets in all public areas, there are numerous scam artists targeting
foreigners in the tourist pubs and restaurants. There have been a number of reports recently of foreign tourists being charged
xorbitant prices for drinks in bars. Some have then been assaulted or forced to withdraw money from an ATM to pay the bill.
You can avoid situations like this by ensuring that you check the price of drinks before ordering, pay for one round at a
time and seek recommendations for bars from trustworthy sources. There have also been a few cases of tourists and residents
being drugged in bars and restaurants and then taken outside or to their residences and robbed. In any public area, one should
always be alert, particularly to being surrounded by two or more people at once. It is not uncommon for groups of pickpockets
to attempt to overwhelm their victim. Gangs of professional pickpockets are specifically targeting foreigners, particularly
those carrying backpacks. In addition, Riga has one of the highest rates of car theft in the world.
Internet crime is a growing concern in Latvia. Common fraudulent schemes involve both Internet auction sites and Internet
job search sites. In the first scam, criminals offer valuable items for sale at low prices on Internet auctions and request
that payments be sent by wire transfer to a bank in Latvia or through a fraudulent escrow site that they have created themselves.
In this scheme, the money passes through a bank in Latvia and is quickly withdrawn by ATM or transferred to a bank in another
country. It is very difficult in these cases to discover the identities of the account holders or recover the funds.
The second common scam involves identity theft through false job offers. In this scheme, a company claiming to be located
in Latvia, but which has a non-existent address, offers the victim employment as a U.S. – based agent or freight forwarder.
When the victim responds to the job offer, commonly posted on one of several popular Internet job sites, a Social Security
Number and other identifying information needed for the identity theft is required under the guise of conducting a background
check.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy
or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the
nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy or Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate
medical care, to contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation
and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand
the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed. For more information, see Victims of Crime.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical care in Latvia is steadily improving, but remains limited in several important respects. There are a few private
clinics with medical supplies and services, including disposable needles and basic modern diagnostics, which are nearly equal
to Western Europe or U.S. standards. However, because of the lack of equipment and resources, most major invasive procedures
or surgeries in Latvia are not recommended. Hospital services have shown good progress but are still not equal to Western
standards. Elderly travelers and those with existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities.
Most, but not all, antibiotics and prescription medications are available but as they are generally produced in Europe or
Latvia, they often have different names and instructions are usually not printed in English. Diphtheria, hepatitis and tick-borne
encephalitis are present. According to the World Health Organization, tuberculosis is a significant problem in Latvia, with
9% of all cases being multi-drug resistant. For further information, please consult the CDC’s Travel notice on TB at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh4-TB.aspx. State ambulance service for emergencies is available by dialing 112 anywhere in Latvia. However, response time is poor in
rural areas. Air ambulance service is available for medical evacuations. In general, private air ambulance services are very
expensive and require advance payment before the patient is transported.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection,
may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at
http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad
to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.
Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United
States. The information below concerning Latvia is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in
a particular location or circumstance.
Foreign visitors to Latvia planning to operate a motor vehicle are required to obtain an International Driving Permit. These
may be obtained through the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance for a small
fee. A U.S. state driver’s license is not sufficient. These requirements apply to those operating rental cars as well, whether
or not the rental company chooses to enforce the requirement as a condition of rental. Individuals driving without an International
Driving Permit may have their vehicle confiscated by the police. Americans resident in Latvia for more than six months are
required to apply for a Latvian driver’s license. Upon receipt of a Latvian driver’s license, American citizens are required
to surrender their US driver’s license to the Latvian authorities. The licenses are then returned to their respective states
of issuance. For more information, visit the Latvian Road and Traffic Safety Department at http://www.csdd.lv.
Latvia has one of the highest rates of automobile accidents and fatalities in Europe. While recent reports show a decrease
in the number of traffic accident fatalities, there are still a number of hazards to watch out for. Drivers should be alert
for pedestrians and slow moving vehicles in traffic. Additionally, violation of traffic rules is common, and it is not unusual
to be overtaken by other automobiles traveling at high speeds, even in crowed urban areas. Drivers do not always yield to
pedestrians, even at marked intersections. During winter, most major roads are cleared of snow. However, drivers should be
alert for fog, snow, and ice while driving. Driving while intoxicated is a very serous offense and carries heavy penalties.
Local authorities use roadblocks and Breathalyzer tests as enforcement tools. Drivers and pedestrians should be alert to the
possibility of drunk drivers and drunken pedestrians wandering on the road. Drivers must use their headlights at all times.
Speed limits are usually 50 km/hr in the city and 90 km/hr on the highways. Public transportation is generally considered
safe, but travelers are encouraged to select well-marked taxis. Emergency services are fair but improving (See section on
Medical Facilities above); response time may be especially slow in traffic or in rural settings. Dial 112 for ambulance service.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for information. Visit the website of Latvia’s national tourist office at http://latviatourism.lv/info.php and the national authority responsible for road safety at http://www.csdd.lv/.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:
As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Latvia, the U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) has not assessed Latvia’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) aviation safety standards. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s web site at www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Banks and currency exchange counters may refuse to accept U.S. currency that is crumpled, torn, discolored or defaced (even
small pen stokes, hand written numbers and letters are considered defacing). If such notes are accepted for exchange, an additional
processing fee, based on the size of the transaction, may be charged. ATMs are widely available in Riga and in major towns.
For security purposes, it is recommended that visitors use ATMs located inside major hotels or shopping malls, versus those
located on the street, in high-volume tourist areas. Telephone connections with the United States are reliable. However, 1-800
numbers cannot be accessed from Latvia. Please check with your long distance carrier before departure to see if they offer
service in Latvia. Local Internet cafés offer computer access, and fax machines are widely available.
Latvian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Latvia of
items such as firearms, religious materials, antiquities, medications, business equipment, drugs, etc. It is advisable to
contact the Embassy of Latvia in Washington or one of the Latvian consulates in the United States for specific information
regarding customs requirements at http://www.latvia-usa.org.
Please see our information on Customs Information.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly
from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for
breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Latvian laws, even unknowingly,
may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Latvia are strict
and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in illicit sexual conduct with children or using
or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.
Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY AND CONSULATE LOCATIONS: Americans living or traveling in Latvia are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy of Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Latvia. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.
The U.S. Embassy is located at 7 Raina Blvd. Riga, LV-1510, and may be reached by dialing +371-703-6200. The fax number for
the Consular American Citizen Services section is+371-781-4088. You can find the ACS section online at http://riga.usembassy.gov/.
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This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated March 12, 2008 with updated information on Entry Requirements.
