Latvia is a country on the Baltic Sea between Lithuania and Estonia. Its landscape is marked by wide beaches as well as dense, sprawling forests. Latvia’s capital is Riga, home to notable wooden and art nouveau architecture, a vast Central Market and a medieval Old Town with St. Peter’s Church. Riga’s museums include the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum, showcasing local crafts, food and music.
If you are a citizen of a country that need to get an Latvia Schengen visa, then this article is for you.
In short, the easiest way to get your Latvia visa approved is to follow the below steps in order:
- Choose an appropriate visa type and the right consulate
- Book an Appointment at the consulate (or VFS office)
- Collate all the documents you need for your visa.
- For tourist & business visa, create a day wise travel plan (travel itinerary).
- Create a cover letter with the travel itinerary, purpose of travel, documents you will submit for your visa.
- Get Flight itinerary or ticket and proof that you have a place to stay (proof of accommodation)
- Get Schengen-approved travel insurance.
- Fill Latvia Schengen visa Application form.
- Reach the consulate at the time of your appointment.
- Submit your documents and wait for your visa approval.
At any point if you need help, then you can use our Latvia visa consultation service to help you.
Because we provide guidance on Schengen visas regularly, we stay current with the visa application process. This positions us uniquely to be well-informed about the most recent visa procedures, ultimately expediting the process and reducing the likelihood of errors that could result in a visa rejection.
Types of Schengen visas for Latvia
The type of visa you need depends on your purpose of travel & duration. These can be categorized as :
- Latvia Transit Visa : If you are having a layover in one of the airports of Latvia, then you may need to get a transit visa.
- Latvia Tourist Visa : Want to backpack across the Alps of Latvia? Then you can get a tourist visa for a maximum period of 90 days.
- Latvia Visitor visa : This visa if for those who have a relative or friend who is living in Latvia.
- Latvia Business visa : If you are attending any trade fair, meeting clients or engaging in any business related activity you need a business visa.
- Latvia Diplomat visa : for official visits of national delegations or government officials.
- Latvia Medical visa : If you want to get some surgery or medical treatment in Latvia.
- Latvia Student Visa : Enrolling in a university in Latvia. Then you can get a student visa or study visa.
- Latvia visa for Sports, Film Crew : If you are attending any football event or shooting a movie ? then you need to get a culture visa.
- Latvia Spouse Visa : If you want to join your spouse who either is a citizen or has a work permit in Latvia.
Examine the list and ascertain the specific type of Schengen visa for Latvia that you need to apply for. In the next section, we will guide you through the process of booking a Schengen visa appointment, so make sure to have your passport and those of your co-applicants readily available.
How do I book an appointment for Latvia Schengen Visa?
It is very important that you book your visa appointment ASAP as without this step your whole travel plan can be ruined.
The absence of a scheduled appointment renders one’s airline, hotel, and travel itinerary inconsequential in the context of trip preparation, particularly when confronted with the unfortunate circumstance of unavailability of appointment slots at VFSGlobal.
The consulate provides appointment availability for a three-month period, allowing individuals to plan their appointments within this timeframe. Additionally, it is necessary to schedule individual appointments for each co-applicant. Therefore, it is advisable to have their respective details readily available.
In the event that Schengen visa appointments are unavailable, individuals are encouraged to contact our organization for assistance in exploring alternate ways.
Where can one make an appointment for a Latvia Schengen Visa?
Appointments for visa applications can be conveniently scheduled through internet platforms. However, due to the dependence of the appointment connection on individual locations, it is not possible for us to provide a universal link. Therefore, it is necessary for you to independently verify and access the appropriate link based on your specific location.
You will need to get an appointment with either the Schengen consulate or with any of the third party visa processing companies such as VFSGlobal or BLSS Spain. Or you can use other 3rd party services to get appointments for you.
May I request a single appointment to accommodate my entire family?
No, it is required that each individual applicant schedules a separate appointment for every family member. The VFSGlobal platform allows for the booking of up to five Schengen visa appointments per account. However, it may not be feasible to schedule appointments for all individuals on the same day.
What details should I enter book the appointment?
In order to proceed, it is necessary to provide certain personal details, including your full name, passport number, expiration date, and passport issue date. Users have the option to either input the required information manually or submit a photograph of their passport, and we will handle the necessary procedures on their behalf.
The information required by consulates varies from one country to another. We will maintain communication with you in order to obtain further information.
Upon scheduling an appointment, individuals will receive an Appointment Reference Number (ARN). It is necessary to obtain a printed copy of this ARN in order to include it as a component of the visa documents submission process.
To know more about Schengen visa appointments, visit here.
Documents needed for Latvia Schengen visa
The subsequent stage involves the preparation of the necessary documentation for obtaining a visa to Latvia, which is contingent upon various aspects including the kind of visa, the age of the applicant, and their employment position.
In summary, the essential documents required for obtaining a Schengen visa are as follows:
- Schengen visa application form
- Two Photographs as per Schengen visa specifications
- Passport
- Travel Itinerary
- RoundTrip Flight Itinerary
- Schengen Approved Travel Insurance
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of Sustenance
- Proof of civil status
Moreover, the required documents vary depending on the work status of the applicant, necessitating the provision of these additional documents.
Are you employed?
- Employment contract
- Copy of latest bank statements of atleast 6 months. These needs to be signed by the bank.
- Leave approval letter from your company.
- Income tax Returns (ITR ) forms.
Are you self-employed?
- A copy of your business registration like Tax or Company TIN or PAN
- Copy of latest bank statements of atleast 6 months. These needs to be signed by the bank
- Latest Income tax Proofs (ITR)
Are you a Student?
- Proof of Enrollment
- No objection certificate from School or college.
Are you retired?
- A copy of your pension order for last 6 months
- Bank statements signed by the bank.
Is the visa applicant a minor?
* Birth certificate of the minor travelling to Latvia.
* :Latvia Visa application form signed by both parents.
* Family court order. In cases where only one parent has full custody of the child.
* Certified copies of ID/passport of both parents
* Consent from the Guardianship Authority. If the minor will be travelling with only one parent, or alone with another person.
If your main income is from a different source?
- Any other proof of regular income such as rental certificate.
You will also need to submit additional documents based on the type of visa that you are applying for.
Additional Documents for Latvia Tourist Visa
- A Travel itinerary explaining your day wise travel plan.
- Proof of accommodation such as hotel, hostel or an invitation letter.
- Flight itinerary for visa or a fully refundable flight ticket.
Additional Documents for Latvia Business Visa
- An invitation letter from the company that is inviting you to Europe.
- A leave approval letter from your current employer stating both the approval of your leave/travel as well as reason for your travel.
- Business Bank Statement of the last 6 months.
- Memorandum of Association (MOA) copy of the original certificate.
- Trade licensing Approval (if any)
- Proof of Trip Sustenance : A clear letter from the employer stating who is responsible of the expenses of the trip. If the payment is done to the employee and the employee will be reimbursed later. It needs to be mentioned in the letter.
Additional documents for Latvia Medical Visa
- Evidence of payment for therapy (if any)
- A letter from your own nation’s hospital declaring the necessity for treatment in the visiting country.
- Letter of support for the treatment (if any)
- Appointment with a hospital in a foreign country (if any)
- A letter from the Ministry of Health indicating that they would cover your costs (if any)
Additional documents for Latvia Student Visa
- Evidence of enrollment in the institution
- Certificate of no objection from your current college
Additional Documents for Latvia Visitor Visa
The visitor visa format will be as follows:
- An invitation letter is now required in the visa requirements section.
- If visiting and staying with friends or family in Latvia (without financial sponsorship):Invitation letter from the host, the letter must clearly identify the host and the invitee (name, address, birth date, official identification number, occupations and permanent residence); the purpose of the visit; length of stay and accommodation status (where the invitee stays and who pays for it). Copy of the host’s passport and (proof of residence).
- If visiting and staying with friends or family in Latvia (with financial sponsorship):If your visit is supported and paid for by a sponsor residing in Latvia, an electronic affidavit which can be obtained by the host from the nearest aliens police in Latvia is required.
- In some cases you might be asked to provide an “Electronic Guarantee Letter“. This service is free of charge and provided by the local aliens police. The authority dealing with your EVE will forward the information to the Latvia Embassy within 48 hours. You will receive an ID-number which the visa applicant should provide at the interview.
Additional Documents for Latvia Transit Visa
- Flight ticket to the ultimate destination.
- A visa to the target country is necessary (if required)
Additional Documents for Latvia Sports, Culture Visa
- Event Information. As:
- Invitation letter from the relevant body in Latvia with details upon the nature of events or activities that are to be held in Latvia.
- Entry tickets to the event.
- Enrolment conditions.
- Detailed program of the event in Latvia.
- Other documents that present the Names of the applicants (crew members) and other relevant information about the event.
- Proof of previous performances. Participation in previous festivals and ceremonies (cultural, religious), sports competitions, winners certificates, proof of world/international ranking (sports).
Additional Documents for Latvia Spouse Visa
When applying to get an Latvia visa as the spouse of an Latvia citizen, you must provide the following additional documents:
- Proof of Latvia citizenship (ID card or consular card or certification of Latvia nationality or naturalization order).
- Latvia marriage certificate.
- Latvia family record book.
You must include the following information in the visa requirements part of the letter:
- There are two application forms.
- Marriage certificate copy
- Copy of Spouse’s Passport and Residence Permit
Do you need a flight ticket to apply for Latvia Visa ? Can you use a flight itinerary ?
When applying for Latvia Schengen visa, it is not safe to have a fully paid flight ticket, you can have a temporary booking or use a flight itinerary for visa purposes. Once your visa is approved, you can book your flight ticket.
The way we create flight itinerary for our customers is using FlightGen App and you can use the app. To know more about using flight itinerary for visa.
What does a travel itinerary mean when applying for Latvia visa ?
A travel itinerary is a day-wise plan of what you intend to do in Latvia if your visa is approved. This information must be included in your cover letter or visa letter which will then be used by the consulate to decide on your visa approval.
To know more about creating cover letter or visa letter for Latvia Schengen visa.
Is a cover letter needed when applying for Latvia visa ?
Yes. A cover letter is a mandatory document when applying for Schengen visa. As per the VFS website you need to bring a cover letter during your Schengen visa appointment.
Is the travel insurance mandatory for Schengen visa application ?
Yes. In order to apply for a Schengen visa, including a Latvia Schengen visa, it is imperative to possess travel insurance that encompasses the entirety of the planned travel period.
You can get your travel insurance for less than $1 per day from visitorscoverage.com .
How to apply for Latvia Schengen visa ?
After scheduling your appointment and preparing the necessary paperwork, it is imperative to thoroughly review your documents once again. Please ensure that all airline and accommodation details for the places indicated in the cover letter have been accurately given.
Additionally, please verify whether the dates provided in the Latvia visa application form correspond with those stated in your cover letter.
A cover letter is a very important document during the visa process as it is the first document that the visa officer will read and it is the only place where you can personally speak to the visa officer .
You can create cover letter for your visa application for just $5 using BlinkDocs App
Subsequently, obtain two sets of hard copies of all the generated papers and organize them according to the specified sequence outlined in the checklist.
On the scheduled day of the interview, it is advisable to bring along two blue pens, a digital copy of all the required documents, an appropriate amount of cash (since certain visa consulates exclusively accept cash payments), and to be attired in formal attire.
Participants will be required to provide their fingerprints for submission. In the event that any discrepancies are identified in the documents, individuals will be granted a brief period of time to rectify the issues and return. It is advised not to feel anxious in this regard.
If an individual has availed our consultation service, they have the option to contact their designated visa expert for assistance with any inquiries they may have.
Where to Apply for Latvia Schengen visa ?
This would depend on your country and the rules in place there. In some countries, the Latvian embassy is in charge of visa applications, while in others, a third party VAC like VFS Global, BLSS, or TLS Contact may be authorized to pick up the application on behalf of the Latvian mission.
Pay close attention to this and make sure you know who in your city deals visas. There may not be an embassy of Latvia in your area, so they may not be able to help you get a visa.
How long does it take to approve my Latvia visa Application ?
It could take up to 15 business days for your visa to be approved after you send in your documents. It can take up to 25 days, though, if there are big holidays in between.
You can apply for a Latvian visa up to three months before your trip because Schengen visa dates are open for two months at a time.
What is the fee for Latvia Schengen visa ?
It costs €80 for people to get a Schengen visa for Latvia and €40 for children over the age of 6. Children younger than 6 can get a Schengen ticket for free. VFS and BLSS applicants must pay a €20 filing fee.
Who requires a Latvia Schengen visa ?
Citizens of EU member states, the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland are permitted to enter Latvia without the need for a visa.
However, individuals from countries outside of these regions may require a visa for entry into the Schengen Area or Latvia.
Please go to the Government Website to find out if you need a visa or not.
Foreign nationals who are not from an EEA country or Switzerland and intend to engage in work or work-related activities for a brief duration, such as an internship, typically require a visa (refer to the “Temporary work visa” category).
Additionally, individuals from countries where visas are no longer required due to EU regulations can stay in Latvia for up to 90 days within every 180-day period, provided they are not engaged in employment.
FAQ:
How can I get a quick appointment for Schengen visa?
You can Blinkvisa app, call or email your nearest Embassy, or schedule it through a visa application centre like vfs global.
Is it easy to get visa for Latvia?
When applying for a Latvian tourist visa, you will be asked to complete a visa application form. Depending on the way you are applying, this can be done online or by hand. Regardless of the way you complete the application form, you must submit two signed copies for the visa application.
Latvia is the fifth easiest Schengen country to get a short-stay visa for -with 97.9% of the applications approved – and only 2.1% rejected – you have quite a good chance of getting a visa from this country.
What is a D type visa for Latvia?
A foreigner who needs to stay in Latvia for more than 90 days in a half-year period needs to apply for a long-stay visa (or a residence permit) – this can be for work/ study/ investment or family reunion purposes.
How can I get Latvian citizenship?
Citizenship can be obtained after five years of legal residence in Latvia. To qualify for citizenship – the applicant must have physically resided in Latvia for at least four out of those last five years.
Related links to Latvia Schengen Visa
https://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/applying-visa
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/latvia/entry-requirements