Get Your Schengen Visa Application for Latvia Online Now!

Last updated: July 2022

If you are interested in seeing Northern Europe, Latvia is a great choice. This Schengen state offers a lot of options for travelers looking for variety, from its capital city of Riga, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the beaches of Jurmala. Many visitors enjoy gazing upon the widest European waterfall, Venta, or exploring the medieval castle of Turaida. Or check out Cesis, which is a beautiful, historic medieval town with ruins, a castle, and plenty of parks and gardens.

No matter what your interests are, there is always something to do in Latvia. However, before booking a flight to this scenic country, make sure to check your country's visa relations with the Schengen zone, in case you need a Schengen visa to visit Latvia. iVisa.com can soon help you obtain this visa online.

What is a Schengen Visa?

The Schengen Visa is a document that allows entry into any of the 26 countries that are part of the Schengen Agreement. These countries include Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Czech, and Latvia, among others. Once you are approved for a Latvian Schengen visa, you will also be able to enter any of the other Schengen area countries with the same visa.

The Schengen Agreement was created in order to allow the free movement of people between member countries. Visa requirements may vary based on the country of origin. Make sure to use the iVisa.com Visa Checker widget to find out the visa requirements for your nationality.

There are different types of Schengen visas available, depending on the purpose and duration of your trip. Type A is only for transit. Your short-stay visa for tourism or business meetings falls under the C category. However, Latvia also has a D Type visa for longer stays one may need for work, school, or family.

• Single-Entry Visa: Visa applicants, who don't plan to leave the Schengen area before your trip ends, can obtain a single-entry visa. You can visit all 26 Schengen countries with this visa, for a maximum of 90 days.
• Double-Entry Visa: Do you plan to travel outside the Schengen area and return before your visa expires? If so, you need a double-entry visa.
• Multiple-Entry Visa: If you wish to explore Europe beyond the Schengen area and enter the Schengen area multiple times, a multiple-entry visa is the right choice for you.

Please note that you cannot work or live in Latvia with this visa, unless specified otherwise.

Who can apply for this type of Latvia Visa?

If you have a residence permit from one of the other countries in the Schengen zone, you won't need to apply for a separate visa to visit Latvia. EU members also enjoy visa-free travel in the Republic of Latvia. Some foreign citizens can enter Latvia without a visa, as part of a visa-exempt agreement such as the United States and Australia.

Use the iVisa.com Visa Checker to find out if you are from a visa-exempt country. Currently, about 150 countries need a Schengen visa for Latvia.

How long can I stay in the country with the Latvia Visa?

Visa applicants should know that the Schengen visa will be valid for no longer than 90 days within a half-year period. The 90 days can be spent in one or multiple Schengen countries.

Any foreign national who wishes to work, study, or live in Latvia for longer than 90 days can apply for a type D visa and a residence permit. This long-stay visa from Latvia is valid for one year or the period specified on your visa. If you are self-employed, you will need a copy of your business license during your visa application.

Latvia visa requirements and required documents

When it is time to apply for your Schengen visa to Latvia, you need to gather a few documents beforehand. The specific requirements may vary depending on your country of origin and the type of visa you need.

There are, however, some general requirements that all Latvian visa applicants must meet, which include the following:

• A passport or travel document with an expiration date at least three months after your planned return travel date from Latvia. It should have two blank pages.
• A passport-sized photo that was taken within the last six months. If you don’t have one, check out the convenient iVisa.com photo service.
• Minimum coverage of €30,000 in travel insurance.
• Round trip flight reservations or a detailed itinerary.
• Proof of accommodation in Latvia.
• Marriage certificate for civil status, if applicable.

Make sure your travel documents such as your passport are valid for at least 3 months after your planned return date from Latvia or another Schengen country. Otherwise, foreign nationals may not be able to get a Latvia visa.

Do I need a visa to transit through Latvia?

Most third-country nationals can transit through Latvia if they do not leave the airport without a visa. Schengen citizens or residents do not need a transit visa.

For citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, or foreigners holding passports issued by the above countries, an airport transit visa is required. They must also have proof of onward travel to a third country.

How to apply for the Schengen Visa online

Currently, the only way is to go to the Latvian embassy or consulate in your country. You will schedule an appointment, submit your application, and attend an interview. However, soon you’ll be able to use iVisa.com to apply for your Schengen visa online. Once available, our experts can help you with the entire process.

The application process consists of three simple steps:

• First, read all the information and fill out your details. Then, choose the processing time you prefer.
• Second, double-check and verify your information and pay the visa and service fee.
• Third, attach any documents required and click on the submit button to submit the application form.

Apply online by submitting the application, required documents, and payment within 15 to 20 minutes. You can choose how fast you need us to process it, and we will send a confirmation by email immediately after approval.

Costs and processing times of the Latvia Schengen visa

The process of applying for your Schengen visa can be tedious and time-consuming if you do it yourself or via other internet sites. Once available, iVisa.com will offer three convenient options:

• Standard Processing Time: This option is perfect for travelers whose arrival in Latvia is still a few months away.
• Rush Processing Time: In a rush? Receive your Schengen visa faster than usual for an extra service fee.
• Super Rush Processing Time: If you need the document urgently, we offer an express option for an extra fee.

Traveling to Latvia with children or minors

Children or minors, if applicable to their nationality, also need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit Latvia. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for the visa application and may also need to submit additional documents, such as:

• Child's birth certificate.
• Child's passport.
• If only one parent is with the child, there must be a letter of consent from the other parent.
• Parents or legal guardians must supply a letter of consent if the child is traveling with someone other than their parents.

COVID-19 entry requirements for Latvia

While Latvia has eased some travel restrictions, they are still in place for some nationalities. A COVID-19 test, vaccination proof, or self-isolation are not required if you are traveling to Latvia from the EU, EEA countries, Switzerland, or the UK.

When traveling to Latvia from outside the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or the UK, check the travel advice for the country through which you are transiting. Upon arrival in Latvia, you will also need to present a negative COVID-19 test, vaccination certificate, or recovery certificate.

When arriving from outside the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and UK, children under 12 years old are exempt from testing or vaccination rules.

Who can I talk to if I have more questions?

If you have any questions about travel documents or visas for Latvia or another country, please reach out to customer support team at any time online or via email at [email protected].