Location: Latvia
Event: Current Status of Passport Applications for Overseas Posts
Due to public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, effective March 20, 2020, the U.S Department of State began limiting its passport operations. Effective April 2, routine passport and citizenship services overseas are limited.
For American Citizen Services in Latvia, please contact the U.S. Embassy in Latvia at askconsular-riga@state.gov.
In an emergency, our embassies/consulates can assist with an emergency passport for an adult or a minor. If you have not received your Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), an emergency passport may be issued by your nearest embassy/consulate.
We encourage you to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive the latest updates in your country, as well as the days and hours of American Citizen Services and possible evacuation plans.
If you have previously applied for a passport or citizenship service, you should expect significant delays receiving your passport and your citizenship evidence documents. Contact the U.S. Embassy in Riga to check on the status of your passport or citizenship document such as a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). Please consider waiting to apply until we resume normal operations.
The U.S. Embassy in Riga reiterates The State Department’s Level Four Global Health Advisory “U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.”
Current Departure Information:
From Latvia:
AirBaltic travel updates is adding flights out of Riga Airport. Go to https://www.airbaltic.com/en/travel-updates to see a list all upcoming added flights out of Riga.
The Latvian Ministry of Transportation website has up-to-date information on departure options from Latvia.
The Stena Line ferry company is operating the VENTSPILS- NYNÄSHAMN ferry and the LIEPAJA – TRAVEMINDE ferry. To inquire about availability, please email them at info@stenaline.com and check their website regularly.
From Estonia:
U.S. citizens who do not show symptoms of COVID-19 and who have proof of onward travel from Tallinn can cross the Latvian land border with Estonia to depart. Lufthansa has scheduled flights from Tallinn to Frankfurt on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until April 18.
For up-to-date information on departure opportunities from Estonia, please visit the COVID-19 Page and Alerts and Messages on the website of the U.S. Embassy in Estonia.
From Lithuania:
U.S. citizens, who have proof of onward travel from Vilnius, can also cross the Latvian land border with Lithuania to depart.
For up-to-date information on departure opportunities from Lithuania, please visit the Visit the COVID-19 Page and Alerts and Messages on the website of the U.S. Embassy in Lithuania for up-to-date departure information.
If you are planning on crossing either border to depart, please email us at askconsular-riga@state.gov
Actions to Take:
- Email us directly at askconsular-riga@state.gov if you are trying to depart Latvia for the U.S.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Latvia.
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
- Follow travel.state.gov on Facebook and Twitter.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Riga, Latvia
Samnera Velsa iela 1
Riga LV-1510
+371 6710 7000
+371 6710 7000 (after hours)
askconsular-riga@state.gov - After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +371 2920 5708
- State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 - Latvia Country Information
- Enroll in Safe Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
