Documents Required for a Latvia Schengen Visa

 

Documents Required for a Latvia Schengen Visa

The application process for a Latvian short-stay visa includes the submission of several documents to the Latvian embassy/consulate in your country of residence. These documents are required to show you meet the criteria to enter the territory of Latvia.

The statutory documents that you need to submit in order to show you please the Latvia visa requirements are as follows:

• Latvian visa application form. Complete the application form for a Latvian short-stay visa by giving in all of the required information. Do not forget to sign it at the end after you print it. If you feel unsure about completing this form, here you can learn how to Fill-in the Schengen Visa Application Form!
• Two identical photos. The photos should be no older than three months and taken according to the photo requirements for Latvian Schengen visa application.
• Your valid passport. Before applying for a Latvian short-stay visa make sure that your passport has at least two blank pages, and three months of validity beyond the date you plan to leave Latvia and the whole territory of Schengen. Passports older than ten years will not be accepted.
• Copies of your previous visas (if applicable).
• Latvia Travel Health Insurance. Valid for the whole Schengen territory, covering expenses related to health care with a minimum of €30,000, including transportation back to your home country in case of serious illness or repatriation in case of death.
• Proof of travel arrangements:
  • Round-trip Flight Itinerary. If you plan to reach Latvia through air, submit a document that shows you have a booked flight, to enter and leave Latvia. This document should specify flight numbers, dates, and your details.
  • Bus/train ticket.
  • When travelling by car. Car registration, car insurance, return travel tickets (ferry or Eurotunnel) mentioning the car’s registration number and driver’s driving license.
• Proof of accommodation. For the whole duration of the intended stay in the Republic of Latvia. I.e. Proof of a hotel reservation in Latvia.
• Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Latvia. You will need to prove to the Latvian embassy/consulate where you file your application that you have at least 14€ per each day you plan spending in Latvia. If you plan to stay for 30 days and more, you will need to attest possessing at least 430 for your whole period of stay.
• A cover letter. A personal letter in which you explain why you are applying to visit Latvia, how long you plan to stay, when will you leave and other details.
• Proof of civil status. This could be a marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, etc.

Additional Latvian Visa Requirements Based on Your Employment Status

According to your employment status, you will need to submit some additional Latvian visa required documents, which are as follows:

If employed:

• Employment contract
• Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
• Leave permission from the employer
• Income Tax Return (ITR) form or

If self-employed:

• A copy of your business license
• Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
• Income Tax Return (ITR)

If a student:

• Proof of enrollment
• No-objection certificate from school or university
• Advertisements

If retired:

• Pension statement of the latest 6 months

If applicable:

• Proof of regular income generated by property, for the last 6 months

See here how to get a NOC from your school or your employer.

Additional Latvian Visa Requirements for Minors

All underage children filing an application for short-stay visa to Latvia, will need to prove they meet the additional Latvian Visa Requirements for minors, by submitting the following documents:

• Birth certificate of the minor traveling to Latvia.
• Latvia application form signed by both parents.
• Family court order. In cases where only one parent has full custody over the child.
• Certified copies of ID / passport of both parents
• If the minor will be travelling alone with another person:
  • An original and copy of the accompanying person’s passport page containing the holder’s data, and expiry date, a recent photograph and valid visa copy.
  • A notarized parental authorization to travel to Latvia, signed by both parents / guardians

*Note: When applying at the Latvian embassy/consulate in home country, the guardian or parent should accompany their under-age children.

Additional Requirements Based on the Purpose of Entry to Latvia

The reason why you wish to enter Latvia determinates the Latvian visa type you have to apply for. According to the Latvian short-stay visa you are applying for, you will need to provide some additional documents. Following find the additional Latvia visa requirements based on your purpose of traveling to Latvia.

Latvia Airport Transit Visa Requirements

If you are traveling to Latvia under the sole purpose of taking another flight to your non-Schengen destination country, then you may have to apply for a Latvian airport Visa.

Once again, check the countries the nationals of which need to apply for a Latvia Airport Transit Visa to find out whether you need such a visa to transit through one of the Latvian airports or not.

Required Documents for an Airport Transit Schengen Visa to Latvia

When applying to obtain a Latvia Airport Transit visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

• A valid visa (if needed) for the final country one is travelling to.
• The flight ticket for the final country you are travelling to.

Latvia Transit Visa Requirements

Foreign nationals who need to disembark at one of the Latvian harbors to take another vessel to their non-Schengen/EEA destination country will need to apply for a Latvia Transit Visa.

Required Documents for a Transit Schengen Visa to Latvia

When applying to obtain a Latvia Transit visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

• A valid visa (if required) for the final country you are travelling to.
• The ticket for the final country you are travelling to.
• Original and photocopy of Seaman’s book (required only for seafarers).
• Letter from the inviting Shipping Company. Issued by the inviting Shipping Company Latvia (required only for seafarers).
• Employment contract. Contract with the navigation company / ship in order to board the ship (required only for seafarers).

Latvia Tourist Visa Requirements

If you are planning to travel to Latvia for holidays, tourism, entertainment, sightseeing or similar, then you should apply for a Latvia Tourist Visa for short stays. The visa permits you to remain in Latvia up to 90 days, within six months.

Required Documents for a Tourist Schengen Visa to Latvia

When applying to obtain a Latvian Tourist visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

• Travel Itinerary. A description of your trip day-to-day, which includes your arrival and exit day, where you will be accommodated and your means of transport.
• Proof how you will be financing your trip to Latvia.
• Certificate of the travel agency. If you will be taking a trip organized by a tour agency, submit documents confirming the trip booking or any other appropriate document indicating the envisaged travel plans.

Latvia Visitor Visa Requirements

When applying for a short-stay visa to Latvia, in order to visit a family member or a friend residing in Latvia on their invitation, you will need to apply for a Latvia Visitor Visa.

Required Documents for a Schengen Visitor Visa to Latvia

When applying to obtain a visa to visit your friends or relatives in Latvia, you must provide the following additional documents:

• Proof of financial means. Evidence that shows you have enough money to support yourself throughout your stay in Latvia. This could be a:
  • Bank certification, bank books, Personal bank statements, credit card statements or balance covering the last six months.
  • Sponsorship Letter. When another person will be financially sponsoring your trip to Latvia. It is also often called as an Affidavit of Support.
• Travel Itinerary. Detailed day-to-day plan of your trip in Latvia.
• Proof of Invitation:
  • Letter of Invitation by a Latvian Host. This letter should be approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. The host should apply by submitting a letter written in free form, with their contact information, and the following information about the invitee:
    • name(s), surname
    • citizenship
    • date of birth
    • place of birth
    • address of residence
    • reason or purpose of entry
    • the anticipated place of residence and length of stay in Latvia;
    • the location (office) where the visa application will likely be submitted
  • Proof of relationship of the Latvian host with the invitee.
  • Valid identification document (passport) of the host.

Latvia Business Visa Requirements

When applying for a visa to Latvia with the intention to attend meetings with business representatives, or to participate at a scientific, educational, professional, or company meeting or conference, work out an estate or negotiate an agreement in Latvia, you will need to apply for a Latvia Business Visa.

Required Documents for a Business Schengen Visa to Latvia

When applying to obtain a Latvian Business visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

• Invitation letter from the Latvian company you will be visiting and their detailed address accompanied with information on your identity and the dates of your visit.
• Letter written by employers. In this letter should be stated why you will be traveling to Latvia, where you will be staying and indicate who will cover the expenses of the trip.
• Proof of trip financing. Regarding the applicant’s expenses during their stay in Latvia, either the employer or the partner company must state coverage of expenses on the letter or invitation.

Latvia Study Visa Requirements

If you are planning to travel to Latvia in order to attend a study course, training or internship that will last less than three months, then you are eligible to apply for a Schengen Study Visa to Latvia.

Required Documents for a Student Schengen Visa to Latvia

When applying to get a Latvian Student visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

• No objection letter from the educational institution where you are currently enrolled (if applicable).
• Internship agreement. Signed between the company in Latvia, the establishment of origin and the trainee.
• Certificate of admission or registration at an educational establishment for the purpose of attending academic or vocational courses, or cover letter from the inviting  company;
• Student cards or certificates of the current enrolled establishment.

Latvia Medical Visa Requirements

In the event of traveling to Latvia to undergo a surgery, receive medical therapies or other health treatments, you will need to apply for a Latvia Medical Visa.

Required Documents for a Medical Schengen Visa to Latvia

When applying to get a visa to receive medical care in Latvia, you must provide the following additional documents:

• A local medical report. Issued from a doctor / clinic / hospital in your home country, confirming that you need medical treatment in Latvia.
• A medical attestation from the hospital or doctor in Latvia, confirming the date of your appointment as well as your medical situation. It should also confirm that the hospital can perform the specific medical treatment and that you will be accepted accordingly.
• Proof of financial arrangement made.
• Correspondence between the sending medical doctor and the receiving medical institution

Requirements for Latvia Visa for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes

If you wish to visit Latvia to participate at a religious, cultural or sport event or as the member of a film crew, then you will need to apply for a Latvia Visa for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes.

Required Documents for a Schengen Visa to Latvia for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes

When applying to get a Latvian visa under the purpose of attending a Cultural / Sports / Religious Event in Latvia you must provide the following additional documents:

• Event Information. I.e. entry ticket, invitation letter from the relevant body in Latvia, enrollment conditions, detailed program of event in Latvia etc.
• Proof of previous performances. Participation in previous festivals and ceremonies (cultural, religious), sports competitions, winners certificates, proof of world/international ranking (sports).
• For sport’s events: certificate from the sending sports club or sport federation.
• For film crews:
  • letter of the film company specifying name, synopsis of the film and shooting locations
  • complete list of names of travelling crew members along with their functions
  • letter from the agency in Latvia confirming arrangements for film permits

Latvia Visa for the Spouse of Latvian National Requirements

If you are married to someone who is a national/citizen of Latvia, and you wish to travel to Latvia and stay there for up to 90 days, then you need to apply for a Latvia Visa for the Spouse of a Latvian National.

Required Documents for a Latvian Schengen Visa for the Wife/Husband of a Latvian Citizen

When applying to get a Latvian visa as the spouse of a Latvian national/citizen, you must provide the following additional documents:

• Proof of Latvian citizenship (ID card or consular card or certification of Latvian nationality or naturalization order).
• Latvian marriage certificate.
• Latvian family record book.

Latvia Official Visit Visa Requirements

If you are traveling to Latvia as a part of an official delegation representing the government, an institution or organization, you will need to apply for a Latvia Official Visit Visa.

Latvian Schengen Visa for Members of Official Delegations

When applying to get a Latvian visa as a member of an official delegation, you must provide the following additional documents:

• The official invitation copy.
• Verbal note issued by the sending authority concerned confirming your identity, the purpose of journey, period of intended stay and the place of stay.
• Evidence about the purpose of journey (negotiations, meetings, event by intergovernmental organizations, consultations).

How Long Does It Take to Get a Latvian Visa?

The processing time for a Latvia short-stay visa takes up to 10 days, according to the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The processing time for a Latvia short-stay visa takes at least 10 days for the nationals of: Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, D.R. Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kirgizstan, North Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Yemen.

This period may be extended up to 30 days when additional documents are requested.

How Much Does It Cost to Apply for a Latvian Visa?

The Latvian Visa fees for stays up to 90 days within 6-month periods are as follows:

• €80 for adults
• €40 for children under the age of 12
• Free for children under the age of 6

However, some categories of applicants only need to pay a reduced fee, or are exempt from paying the visa fee at all.

Check the list of the Latvian Schengen Visa fees, to see if you belong to any of these categories!