Since December 21st, 2007, border control on EU internal borders, internal ferries and aviation lines are cancelled. All EU and non-EU nationals, who legally enter in Schengen area, are enjoying the free movement between Republic of Latvia, Republic of Estonia and Republic of Lithuania. Persons who are using vehicles can cross above mentioned states using international roads between the states.
All European Union citizens have the right to enter another Member State if they have valid identity card or passport. Non-EU nationals must carry valid passport with valid Schengen visa or residence permit.
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All barriers which prevent persons and products movement are abolished.
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Border control of all persons and vehicles is carried out only on EU external borders - with Russia, Byelorussia, as well as in airports, harbors, except internal ferries and airways.
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Full borer control for foreigners - non-EU citizens are carried out (persons and vehicles computerized control using law enforcement data bases, travel documents depth control, persons places of origin clarification, examination of vehicles and private belongings, livelihood check, work and residence permit check ) in all border crossing points.
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European Union citizens and non-citizen of Latvia usually are applied minimum border control - verification of person identity based on produced travel document (photo and person comparing), and travel document simple verification (period of validity and falsification indication being visual verification), and in case of need - vehicle verification.
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Border guards have a right to check information in data bases concerning European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland citizens and non-citizens of Latvia in Latvia and Europe, to make sure that persons doesn't produce real threats to Latvia internal safety, social order, international collaboration or social health.
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If citizens of third countries produce valid Schengen visa or residence permit, or residence permit of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, the have a right to cross the border of the Republic of Latvia in transit or stay not longer for three months per six-month period. Holders of Latvian residence permit are authorized to stay in country and to travel to other EU and Shchengen countries for period exceeding three months per six-month period.
All third countries citizens are checked in the Schengen Information System (SISone4all). In case of alerts, consultations with SIRENE office are carrying out and:
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If the person is wanted by another Schengen country the person will be detained and transferred to the State police;
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If it is forbidden for foreigner to travel in Schengen area, will be rejected his entry in Latvia;
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Information about discovered missing person will be assigned to searching initiator, but for persons, who are threatened will be provided protection;
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Information about witnesses or persons, who according to formal notice must arrive at law authority, will be forwarded to appropriate institution;
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Is guaranteed persons or vehicle discreet oversight;
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Information about subjects which are wanted for confiscation or to use them in criminal case will be forwarded to appropriate institution.
In exception case, in State interests or because of human reasons, border guards are authorized to issue Schengen visa to third countries citizens.
Collaboration between neighboring countries borders law enforcement institutions in issues of internal became more intensified on internal borders of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are operating bilateral contact points of the State border guard, State police and Customs, which provides operativeness in information exchange, especially in issues of fighting against cross-border crime.
On internal borders every day works immigration mobile patrol, which in random order carries out immigration verification of suspicious persons and vehicles in territory of Republic of Latvia after they have crossed the State border.
To combat against organized crime in issues of transportation of illegal immigrant and to carryout criminal investigation in a special way, border guards enforce regular cross-border surveillance and hot persecution operations are carried out.
Border control on the internal border of the European Union could be re-established for determined period with a special resolution from Cabinet of Ministers in cases of serious threats to public policy, public health and public safety.
State Border Guard immigration liaison officers are operating in the third states. First liaison officer of State Border Guard started his work Ukraine on May 14th, 2007.