Latvia eligible for visa freedom with U.S.

Oct 08, 2008
Talis Archdeacon in cooperation with BNS

RIGA - The Latvian Foreign Ministry has announced that the visa denial rate with the U.S. has dropped below 10 percent, a key milestone for establishing a visa free regime with the country.

According to information for a period between Oct. 1, 2007, and Sept. 30, 2008, released by the U.S. Department of State, the number of visa denials to Latvian travelers has decreased considerably compared with the same period a year ago.

Passports with biometric data were also an important precondition for joining the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. Before traveling to the U.S. without visas, Latvia's residents will have receive an electronic travel permit from US authorities.

Having met the visa denial requirement, Latvia now has to wait for the U.S. administration to lift the visa regime.

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