Citizens of Latvia can travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) by obtaining an electronic travel authorization — ESTA. It is required if you do not have a valid U.S. tourist or business visa, your trip is shorter than 90 days, and the purpose of travel is tourism, business, or transit. The application can be submitted individually or for a group.

The official ESTA website is available in Latvian, making the process especially convenient for Latvian travelers.

ESTA Application Fee

The ESTA fee is 40 USD.
Accepted payment methods: MasterCard, VISA, American Express, Discover (JCB/Diners Club), and PayPal.

The application is reviewed only after successful payment.

Information Required for ESTA

Latvian citizens will need:

  • a valid Latvian biometric passport;
  • a valid email address;
  • home address and phone number;
  • an emergency contact.

When to Apply and Validity Period

It is recommended to apply for ESTA as soon as travel plans are made.
ESTA is valid for 2 years or until your Latvian passport expires, whichever comes first.

ESTA allows multiple entries, but each stay is limited to 90 days.
If ESTA expires while you are in the U.S., your departure is not affected.

A new application is required if you receive a new passport, change your name, citizenship, or your answers to VWP eligibility questions.

When Latvian Citizens Need a Visa Instead of ESTA

A visa is required if:

  • you plan to arrive on a non-VWP signatory airline;
  • your stay exceeds 90 days;
  • potential inadmissibility grounds under INA 212(a) may apply;
  • your purpose of travel is something other than tourism, business, or transit (e.g., work, study, relocation, medical treatment).

How to Continue an Unfinished Application

If you have started but not completed your application, you can continue via “Continue Existing Application → Individual Application”.
You will need to enter your passport number, date of birth, and application number, or citizenship with passport issue/expiration dates.

How Long the Application Takes

Average completion time: 23 minutes.
Official processing time: up to 72 hours, though Latvian citizens often receive results sooner.

How to Apply for ESTA

Submit your application via “Create New Application → Individual Application”.
You must provide biographical information, Latvian passport details, email address, employer information, an emergency contact, and — if applicable — a U.S. contact person.

You can review and edit the information before payment.
After email verification, you will receive an application number.

How to Correct an Error

Before payment, you can correct all fields except:

  • passport number;
  • passport issuing country;
  • citizenship;
  • date of birth.

If errors occur in these fields, a new application must be submitted with a new fee.

How to Check ESTA Status

Status is checked via “Check ESTA Status → Check Individual Status”.
Required:

  • passport number;
  • date of birth;
  • application number, or passport details and citizenship.

Statuses include:

  • Authorization Approved — approved;
  • Travel Not Authorized — denied (Latvian citizens must apply for a visa at the U.S. Embassy in Riga);
  • Authorization Pending — under review.

Group Application

Latvian citizens may submit a group application via “Group of Applications”.
Payment must be made within 7 days, otherwise the group will be deleted.

How HR Line EU Can Help

HR Line EU assists Latvian citizens with:

  • error-free ESTA applications;
  • U.S. visa document preparation;
  • avoiding mistakes that could lead to refusal or entry restrictions.

For consultation or assistance, contact: [email protected]

FAQ

1. Do children need their own ESTA?

Yes. All minors — including infants — need their own ESTA and must travel with their own Latvian biometric passport.

2. Who is eligible to apply for ESTA?

Only citizens of VWP countries.
If someone lives in Latvia but is a third-country national, they cannot apply for ESTA and must apply for a visa instead.

3. How is ESTA different from a visa?

ESTA is not a visa.
It is valid only for short stays (up to 90 days).
Latvian citizens with a valid U.S. visa (e.g., B1/B2) do not need ESTA