Required Documents
For Latvia Schengen Visa
Documents for a Latvian visa application must be completed in English, Latvian, or Russian and written in capital characters.
Valid passport
- Size 3.5 x 4.5 cm
- Plain white background
- Taken within the past 6 months
- Forward-facing with facial features visible and clear
Passport-sized photos
- Size 3.5 x 4.5 cm
- Plain white background
- Taken within the past 6 months
- Forward-facing with facial features visible and clear
Completed application form
Biometric data (Fingerprints)
Latvia Visa fee
Documents pertinent to your trip
- Plan or itinerary for travel
- A forward ticket to another country or evidence of return to the country of residence
- justification for visiting Latvia
- Reservations for flights
- Proof of financial capability (bank statements for the most recent three months, personal property, or other assets)
- Proof of lodging (including booking reference number, address, and hotel contact information)
Travel medical insurance
- Valid for the duration of the visa
- valid across all Schengen nations
- The required minimum coverage amount is EUR 30,000.
- The confirmation letter or insurance paperwork must clearly indicate the terms of your insurance, including the extent, duration, and validity of your coverage.
Employment letter with the following information:
- Name and address of employer
- Nature of employment
- Starting date of employment
- Salary
- Purpose of travel
- Duration of time off from work for travel
Scans (copies) of:
- Personal ID page of the passport.
- Older Schengen visas (if relevant).
- Residence permit (if relevant).
Applicants below the age of 18 are required to submit the following additional requirements:
- Copy of birth certificate
- Documents proving the adoption of the underage applicant are needed.
- Divorce decrees are needed if the applicant’s parents are divorcing.
- Death certificates are necessary if the minor applicant’s parents have passed away.
- A letter of approval from the parents or other responsible adults
- Copy of both parents or legal guardians passports
It may also be necessary to submit supplementary documents in relation to your travel visa application.
Latvia Visa Fees
An application for a Latvian Schengen visa typically costs 80 EUR. Certain applicants, such as those for most student visas and visas for children under the age of six, are exempt from fees. A separate, non-refundable service fee will likely be required of applicants along with their application.
Latvia Visa Application Steps
- Prepare all the necessary paperwork.
- Choose “Tourism” on the visa application form when indicating your purpose of the trip.
- Choose how many entries are required for either Latvia or the Schengen region.
- Complete the application.
- Depending on where you are applying from, the process for obtaining a visa for Latvia to enter the Schengen area may differ. However, candidates will probably need to submit their applications online via the nation’s E-Visa system, which can be accessed here.
- Online application forms should be filled out, printed, and signed. the Latvian consulate or a visa processing facility should receive the paper copy.
5. Schedule a visa appointment, if applicable.
- The majority of applications need to be submitted in person at the nearest Latvian Consulate or visa facility. Alternately, applications may be submitted during regular business hours without an appointment. To find out whether an appointment is required, get in touch with the Latvian Consulate or the visa office.
6. Submit your Latvia Schengen visa application.
- Note: Applications must be received no sooner than six months before the date of travel, but no later than 15 days prior.
- Application materials must often be delivered in person to the Latvian Consulate or a visa processing facility. There might, however, be a few variations in the submission processes.
- It is anticipated that applicants will be required to provide their fingerprints as biometric information. Biometric information collecting is not permitted for children under the age of 12. Most likely, applicants who have already submitted their fingerprints within the last 59 months won’t be requested to do so again.
- Additionally, candidates might be asked to return at a later time for a trip-related interview.
7. Pay the visa application fee.
When to Apply for Latvia Schengen Visa
Visa requests must be submitted at least 15 days but no sooner than 6 months prior to the intended date of travel.
Where to apply
- Applications must be personally submitted through the Latvian Consulate or the consulate of a nation that handles Latvia’s consular matters.
- Applications may be submitted through a Schengen state consulate that represents the interests of a Latvian consulate in nations without a Latvian consulate.
- You may find a list of Latvian embassies and consulates here.
- Only applications from citizens or residents of that nation should be submitted.
- There must be a good cause for applicants who must submit their applications through a consulate or visa processing facility in a nation where they are physically present but not residents. Valid justifications include remaining legally inside the nation on a valid visa or permit and that the consulate there has opted to process your application after accepting your justifications.
Latvia Visa Processing Time
Application processing for a Latvian Schengen visa typically takes 15 days. However, it could take up to 45 days in some circumstances.
For approved visa applications:
- Prior to collection, applicants must verify that the information on the visa is accurate and current.
- Applicants who have obtained their Latvian Schengen Visa should keep in mind the following:
- Any changes to your travel plans should be communicated to the Latvian Consulate or visa application center.
- Entry into Latvia or any other Schengen country is not assured by the approval of a Schengen visa.
- To enter Latvia or other Schengen countries, you might still need to provide more documentation about your financial situation or lodging.
For denied visa applications:
- You or your legal agent have 30 days to appeal a decision that denies your request for a Latvian Schengen visa.
- The appeal must be filed in writing and delivered either personally, by mail, in person, or electronically (as long as it has an authorized electronic signature). The appeal must be written in one of the following three languages: English, Latvian, or Russian, or it must include an official translation into one of those three languages.
- The following address should be used to send the appeal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Director of the Consular Department:
- The Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is located at Elizabetes iela 57 in Riga, Republic of Latvia (LV-1050).
- the location of the consulate that denied your request for a visa.
- Those chosen by the applicants to submit the appeal on their behalf must have a power of attorney that has been notarized. Outside of Latvia, the European Economic Area, or the Swiss Federation, notarized powers of attorney must be legalized at the Latvian Consular Department or the Latvian consulate where the initial application was filed. If neither choice is feasible, the power of attorney can be authenticated by the originating nation’s appropriate legal authority via an Apostille.
- Within 30 days of receiving the appeal, a decision will be made by the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Department. The judgment will be sent in writing in both English and Latvian.
- Within 30 days of receiving the appeal, a decision will be made by the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Department. The judgement will be sent in writing in both English and Latvian.
- The last resort is to file an appeal with the Administrative Court of the Republic of Latvia if the aforementioned body rejects it. Their decision is regarded as final and cannot be challenged further.
- The appeal cannot be processed without the payment of a non-refundable fee.