Latvia entry requirements for South Korea passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 15, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
South Korean passport holders can visit Latvia for tourism or business stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. This applies to the entire Schengen Area, allowing free movement between member countries. As of 2026, the rules remain unchanged. Before booking, check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned entry date.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for your entire stay in Latvia | Your South Korean passport needs to be valid for the full duration of your stay in Latvia. Latvia is part of the Schengen zone, so the 90-day limit applies across all Schengen countries combined — not per country. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from the Schengen area | Immigration officers at Riga Airport routinely ask for a return or onward ticket showing you leave the Schengen zone within 90 days. Have a printed or digital copy ready. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Border officers may ask for a hotel reservation or a letter from your host in Latvia. Keep a copy of your booking confirmation or invitation handy. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during your stay | You might be asked to show you have enough money for your trip — roughly €50–€100 per day depending on your accommodation. A recent bank statement or credit card usually works. | Recommended |
Schengen zone rules apply
Your 90-day visa-free stay is for the entire Schengen Area, not just Latvia. If you've already spent time in other Schengen countries (e.g., France, Italy) in the past 180 days, that time counts toward your 90-day limit.
Passport validity is strictly enforced
Latvian border control will deny entry if your passport has less than 6 months of validity remaining from your entry date. Check your passport now — if it's close, renew before booking flights.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare your documents before departure
Print or save digital copies of your passport, return ticket, accommodation booking, and travel insurance. Keep them in a separate folder on your phone or in your carry-on.
2
Arrive at Riga Airport (or other Schengen entry point)
If you fly directly into Riga, you'll go through Latvian border control. If you enter via another Schengen country (e.g., Frankfurt, Helsinki), you'll clear immigration there — Latvia won't check you again.
3
Queue at the non-EU passport line
At Riga Airport, join the line for 'All Passports' or 'Non-EU/EEA'. Have your passport and supporting documents ready. The officer will ask your purpose of visit and length of stay.
4
Get your entry stamp
The officer will stamp your passport with the date of entry. Check the stamp before walking away — it should show the correct date. If it's missing or wrong, ask for a correction immediately.
5
Exit and collect luggage
After clearing immigration, proceed to baggage claim. If you have nothing to declare, use the green 'Nothing to Declare' channel at customs.
Download Latvia Entry Checklist
PDF · South Korea Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 15, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For those who need to stay longer than 90 days or have been denied visa-free entry.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
ValidityUp to 5 years
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Ideal for frequent travellers; must still respect the 90/180 rule.
National D visa (long-stay)
Max stayOver 90 days
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€99 (~$108 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires sponsorship and additional documents.
work visa
Latvia Work Visa (D visa for employment)
Up to 1 year, renewable
€99 (~$108 USD) application fee
For South Koreans with a job offer from a Latvian employer. Requires a work permit and proof of qualifications. Allows family reunification.
Apply student visa
Latvia Student Visa (D visa for studies)
Up to 1 year, renewable annually
€99 (~$108 USD) application fee
For those enrolled in a full-time program at a Latvian university. Requires proof of acceptance, sufficient funds, and health insurance.
Apply digital nomad visa
Latvia Digital Nomad Visa
1 year, renewable
€99 (~$108 USD) application fee
For remote workers earning at least €2,500/month from outside Latvia. Must have valid health insurance and clean criminal record.
Apply Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays longer than 90 days or if visa-free is not applicable. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Valid for up to 5 years, allowing multiple stays of up to 90 days each. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstaying the 90-day limit results in fines and possible entry bans. | €20 per day (~$22 USD), max €2,000 (~$2,180 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Latvia
No transit visa needed
South Korean passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes at Latvian airports, even if leaving the airside transit area, as they enjoy visa-free access to the Schengen area.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsRiga International Airport (RIX)
Health & vaccines for Latvia
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, varicella, flu)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedTick-borne encephalitisConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk
Ticks in forested areas can transmit this virus; vaccination recommended for outdoor activities.
Lyme diseaseModerate risk
Also spread by ticks; common in rural and wooded areas.
Foodborne illnessLow risk
Standard food hygiene is good; risk is low for travellers.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Riga
Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) – Riga Branch
Čiekurkalna 1. līnija 1, Riga, LV-1026
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Main office for visa extensions and residence permits; bring all original documents and copies.
Daugavpils
OCMA – Daugavpils Branch
18. novembra iela 44, Daugavpils, LV-5401
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Serves the eastern region; appointments recommended.
Practical information for KR travellers
Country basics
CapitalRiga
LanguageLatvian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 6 months.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.86 EUR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+2
vs New York+7h
vs Los Angeles+10h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C (two round pins) and Type F (two round pins with grounding clips)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Latvia.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No. The 90-day visa-free stay applies to the entire Schengen Area. You cannot extend it beyond 90 days within any 180-day period. For longer stays (work, study, family reunion), you must apply for a national visa or residence permit at the Latvian embassy before traveling.
No. For stays under 90 days, there is no registration requirement. If you stay longer (with a visa or permit), you must register your address with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs within 30 days.
You will likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at the border. Renew your passport before traveling. The 6-month validity rule is strictly enforced by Latvian border control.
Yes. You can enter via any Schengen member state (e.g., Germany, Finland, Poland) and then travel to Latvia. Your 90-day allowance applies to the whole Schengen zone, not just Latvia.
No. South Korean passport holders do not need a transit visa for any Schengen airport, including Riga. You can stay in the international transit area without passing through immigration.
Overstaying is a violation of Schengen rules. You may face a fine, a ban from re-entering the Schengen Area for up to 3 years, or both. The fine amount varies but can be several hundred euros. Always track your days carefully.
No. Since you don't need a visa, there is no fee. If you later apply for a national visa (e.g., for work or study), the standard Schengen visa fee of €80 applies.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 15, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.