According to the State Border Guard of Latvia, officers prevented 50 attempts by individuals to illegally cross the Latvia-Belarus state border on Thursday, September 10, bringing the total number of foiled crossings to 10,816 for the year. Border enforcement operations continue to manage migration pressures and maintain security across external borders and domestic checkpoints.
Border Enforcement Statistics and Denied Entries
State Border Guard officials recorded 37 lawbreakers across external borders and the country’s interior on Thursday, with 21 of those violations detected specifically at external border checkpoints. At the Grebņeva, Terehova, Pāternieki, and Riga International Airport border control points, entry into Latvia was formally refused to several foreign nationals for various legal infractions, according to official records.
One Moldovan citizen faced an entry ban because the traveler had already spent 90 days within the Schengen area during the preceding 180-day period. Additionally, two Uzbek nationals were turned away after failing to justify the purpose and conditions of their intended stay. Border guards also blocked three Russian citizens who lacked valid travel documents, one Russian citizen lacking a valid visa or residence permit, and three Russian citizens alongside one Belarusian citizen barred due to security considerations. All rejected individuals were returned to their departure countries, as reported by the State Border Guard.
Did you know?
Under Schengen area rules, non-EU visitors are generally restricted to a maximum stay of 90 days within any 180-day period, a regulation frequently enforced at Latvian border control points.
Visa Violations and Administrative Penalties at Riga Airport
Riga International Airport served as a primary location for detecting individuals who had overstayed their authorized travel windows. Border officials intercepted three Iranian citizens and two Uzbek citizens who violated Schengen area residence conditions by exceeding permitted visa timelines or lacking necessary documentation entirely, according to the State Border Guard.
Administrative liability proceedings were initiated for the majority of the violators, though proceedings for one Iranian citizen’s administrative case were not launched. The offenders faced fines or expedited processing pursuant to national immigration laws governing foreign stay limits.
Internal Immigration Checks and Transport Penalties
Beyond the borders, interior immigration control measures uncovered entry and residence infractions committed by seven individuals inside the country. The apprehended persons included one citizen each from Belarus, Afghanistan, India, Cyprus, Moldova, Romania, and Uzbekistan, according to State Border Guard data.
Separately, enforcement officers penalized or restricted travel for nine individuals due to infractions involving vehicle and watercraft operations. This group comprised three Latvian citizens, three Belarusian citizens, one British citizen, one Polish citizen, and one Uzbek citizen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was entry denied to the Moldovan citizen at the border?
Entry was refused because the Moldovan national had already spent the maximum allowed 90 days within the Schengen area during the previous 180-day period, according to the State Border Guard.
How many total illegal border crossing attempts from Belarus have been stopped this year?
State Border Guard figures show that a total of 10,816 people have been prevented from illegally crossing the Latvia-Belarus border so far this year.
What actions are taken against individuals who exceed their Schengen visa limits?
Individuals who breach residence conditions are typically called to administrative accountability, fined, or returned to their departure countries, depending on the severity of the violation.
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