Since 2007, when Latvia joined the Schengen Area as a member state of the EU, you can apply for a Latvian Schengen Visa.
General requirements for obtaining a Schengen visa in Latvia
- Fill out the Latvian visa application form online.
- Two photographs must be attached, one of which should be in passport format and taken recently with a light background.
- Your passport and copies of previous visas must be valid for at least three months beyond your return date. At least two blank pages are required in your passport.
- Europe Confirmation of travel insurance coverage of at least €30,000 inside Latvia and the entire Schengen zone.
- A cover letter outlining the reason for your trip to Latvia as well as your itinerary
- Hotel reservation for the entire period of the expected stay in the Republic of Latvia
- Flight itinerary with dates and flight numbers defining entry and exit from Latvia
- Proof of citizenship (marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, ration card if applicable)
- Proof of sufficient financial means for the duration of stay in Latvia: According to the European Commission, foreign nationals who want to enter and reside in the Republic of Latvia must attest to having at least 14€ per day for the duration of their stay when applying for a Latvian Visa at a Latvian Embassy or Consulate.
- If you’re employed, you’ll need your employment contract, the most recent bank statement, a no-objection certificate from your boss, and an Income Tax Return (ITR) form or a Certificate of Income Tax Deducted at Source.
- If you’re self-employed, bring a copy of your business license, a six-month bank statement, and your Income Tax Return (ITR)
- If you’re a student, bring proof of enrollment and a letter from your school or institution approving your leave.
- If you’re retired: The most recent six-month pension statement
The following payments are required for various types of Latvian visas
- The cost of a short-stay visa (C) for applicants under the age of 12 is 80 EUR.
- The cost of a short-stay visa (C) for children aged 6 to 12 is 40 EUR.
- The A transit visa costs 80 EUR.
- The cost of a visa with limited territorial validity (C) is 80 EUR.
- 60 EUR for a long-stay visa (D).
For nationals of countries with which the European Union has reached agreements on the convenience of visa issuance, the C visa application fee is different from the C visa application fee listed above. They are:
- The C visa application price in a typical procedure – within 10 days – costs 35 EUR for nationals of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.
- C visa application price in an urgent procedure – within 3 days costs 30 EUR for Russian and Ukrainian nationalities.
- C visa application price in an urgent procedure – within 2 days – costs 70 EUR for Belarus nationals.
- The C visa application price is 35 EUR for citizens of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Moldova.
Visa fee exemption
- Children under the age of six;
- schoolchildren, students, postgraduate students, and accompanying teachers who are staying for study or educational training;
- researchers conducting scientific research or attending a scientific seminar or conference;
- representatives of non-profit organizations aged 25 or younger who are attending seminars, conferences, sports, cultural, or educational events organized by non-profit organizations.
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