Important Travel Document Information – Please Read
If you are wishing to gain a visa to Latvia you will be pleased to know that the Latvian embassies have reopened for business and are now processing Latvian visas. The processing of Latvian visas can take up to 12 weeks. You can select ‘express processing’ from the drop down menu on the application for a quicker response.
We strongly advise to apply as soon as possible to ensure that you are approved for a Latvia Visa in time for your trip. You will not be allowed on your flight without a valid visa document.
Options For Your Visa To Latvia
It is advisable to take your time to complete correctly as misinformation can lead to problems later in the process. You can choose the following when you are applying;
What is a Latvia Visa?
A Latvia Visa is also known as a Schengen visa. This is an official travel document that allows a person to travel to any country in the Schengen Area for stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.
The Schengen Visa is the most common visa in Europe. In other words, it entitles the holder to enter, travel freely within, and exit the Schengen area from any Schengen member country. There are no border controls within the Schengen zone.
Nationals of other countries, which have not yet reached a liberalization agreement will need to obtain this travel authorization before arrival in Europe.
Purposes of Latvia Visa
There are over ten distinct Schengen Visa Purposes to choose from when describing your purpose for travelling.
You will be asked to describe your “reason” for travelling while applying for a Schengen visa. This is the primary reason for your trip or why you require a visa.
Consider why youre travelling and choose the purpose that best describes your itinerary.
The documents you must submit in your Schengen visa application will be determined by the purpose you choose. For example, if you apply for a Medical Schengen Visa, you must include data regarding the procedure or treatment you plan to get, but Business Schengen Visa applications demand information about the type of business you plan to undertake.
A Schengen visa is required for the following 9 types of trips:
Business: You should apply for a Business Schengen Visa if you are travelling primarily for professional reasons, such as conducting business.
Visiting Family or Friends: You should apply for a Visiting Family or Friends Schengen Visa if you are travelling primarily for social purposes, such as visiting family o
Medical Reasons: You should apply for a Medical Reasons Schengen Visa if you are travelling primarily for medical treatment or escorting someone who is travelling for med
Airport Transit
Tourism Schengen Visa if you are travelling primarily for touristic purposes, such as touring.
Cultural: You should apply for a Cultural Schengen Visa if you are travelling primarily for cultural reasons, such as to attend cultural events.
Study: You should apply for a Study Schengen Visa if you are travelling primarily for educational purposes, such as to attend school or participate in educational or scho
Sports: A Sports Schengen Visa is required if you are travelling solely for the purpose of participating in sporting competitions, including as part of a team.
Official Visit: If you are travelling primarily for the purpose of an official visit, i.e. you are a member of an official delegation who has been invited to visit a Sche
Latvia Visa Validity
Validity depends on the type of visa:
- Schengen Visa Type C is valid for 90-day stays.
- Schengen Visa Type A is only valid for airport transits.
- Type-D Visas: These visas are considered long-term because they can be valid for up to 90 days. Long-term stays, however, National visas, not Schengen visas, are Type-D visas.
Please keep in mind that all Schengen visa classes have the same validity period. A Medical Visa and a Business Visa, for example, are both “valid” for the same amount of time. As a result, you should choose the objective that best describes your trip motivation.
90/180 Rule
You may not stay in the Schengen area for more than 90 days in a 180-day period if you have a short-stay Schengen visa; this principle is known as the 90/180 rule, and it applies to everyone who has a short-stay Schengen visa — without exception.
When you reach the Schengen zone, the clock begins to count down from 180 days and continues to do so even after your 90 days are gone (i.e. even after you have left the Schengen area after spending 90 days there).
In the case of single-entry Schengen visas, this regulation is straightforward. If you have a single-entry Schengen visa and enter the Schengen area on January 1st, 2020, you must leave by March 30th, 2020; a 90-day timeframe.
What documents do I need to apply for a Visa to Latvia?
The following documents are required to apply for a Latvia visa or to check the Latvia Schengen visa processing time.
- Your passport will be required.
- Your email address will be used to send you your Latvia visa.
- Application fees must be paid using a valid payment method.
For detailed information on specific parts of the EU visa process, you can refer to the links to the right to find the answer to your query. If you are unable to find any particular information, please contact us via email.
Schengen Member States
A Schengen visa issued for travel to Latvia can also be valid for any of the other 27 Schengen countries below:
How long is a Schengen visa valid for?
This depends on a number of things such as whether or not you have had a Schengen visa in the past or how many countries you intend to visit. Generally you first Schengen visa will be issued for the duration of your stay. Future applications may be granted for multiple entry for a number of years.
People Also Asked...
There are 27 Schengen members states in Europe. You can see the full list of countries in the Schengen zone in the table on this page.
You can expect an update on your application within 3 days of submission. You can choose express processing at checkout for a response within 24 hours.
Once you attend your appointment, your visa can take up to 15 working days to be processed by the Embassy.