Latvia eligible for visa freedom with U.S.

  • 2008-10-08
  • 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, andSept. 30, 2008, released by the U.S. Department of State, the number ofvisa denials to Latvian travelers has decreased considerably compared withthe same period a year ago.

Passports with biometric data were also an important precondition forjoining the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. Before traveling to the U.S. withoutvisas, Latvia's residents will have receive an electronic travel permitfrom US authorities.

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