Latvia tourist visa - Definitive Guide

This permit to enter Latvia is also known as the Latvia Schengen tourist visa. This allows you to take part in tourism activities. The visa is issued for a stay duration of 90 days in a 180-day period and is available as single-entry, double-entry, or even the multiple-entries. Being a Schengen country, the tourist permit is also of a Schengen category and as a result, allows you to travel within the Schengen region. However, if you are issued with a Limited Territory Validity (LTV) category, you will only be able to enter specific countries, 

The Latvia tourist visa application is mainly done online. However, the submission is done offline. The Embassy of the Republic of Latvia is the issuing authority. The application process has been outsourced to the VACs (Visa Application Center). Before starting the application, you must ensure that you are eligible to travel to Latvia as a tourist. If you are, you can proceed to make the application as follows - 

• Obtain all the necessary documents required by the embassy.
• Visit the website of the Embassy of Latvia and fill in the Schengen application form. Ensure to mention the purpose of the visit as “tourist”.
• Proceed to book the appointment at one of the VACs located across India. You can do it online through their portal, or by calling the respective VAC.
• Go for the appointment with the documents, application confirmation, and fees in person. You will also have to submit your biometrics here.

Note that if you have already submitted your biometrics for any Schengen visa in the past 5 years, you do not have to submit it again. In this case, you do not have to visit the VAC, and can instead submit the application through a third party.

Ensure that you submit only original documents. Providing fake or forged documents and incorrect information can get your application rejected. Visa rejection is considered serious and can affect your future travel. 

To be able to apply for this, you must meet the following conditions. Failing to do so will definitely get your application rejected. In that case, you must apply for the visa type that is apt for your visit. 

• You must be living in the country you are making the application from. If you are residing in a residence permit in any foreign nation, you may apply it to the embassy there.
• You must possess a valid passport.
• Your primary purpose of the visit must be to take part in tourism activities.
• You must possess sufficient funds to cover your expenses during the entire stay in the country.
• You must apply for the permit only if -

• 1. Latvia is your only destination, or
  2. Latvia is one of your multiple Schengen destinations, in which case you will be spending the majority of the time here, or, 
  3. If there is no main destination, Latvia must be your port of entry.

As per the Latvia tourist visa requirements for Indian citizens, the following are the list of documents you must submit for a successful application. You should carry the original of the documents to the appointment. However, you may have to submit only photocopies for a few of these. The documents must also be translated into English.

• A valid passport- 

• 1. It must consist of at least 2 blank pages.
  2. It should not be older than 10 years.
  3. It should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.
  4. Old passports, if any, are to be attached.
• A covering letter - 
  1. This must include the applicant's details.
  2. It should clearly mention the source of funds.
  3. It should clearly state the purpose and duration of the visit.
  4. It should be signed by the applicant and addressed to the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia.
• Travel itinerary/documents - 
  1. Detailed travel itinerary 
  2. Round trip flight booking
  3. Proof of accommodation 

• Medical travel insurance coverage up to at least 30000 Euros
• Proof of occupation - 

• Financial documents -

Financial documents such as bank statements of the past 3 months, Passbook copy, ITR, etc.

• Dimensions:  35mm X 45mm
• Colour: Coloured 
• Head must occupy the central position
• Must be recently captured - within last 3 months
• Background: Solid, plain white or grey
• 80% face coverage
• Neutral facial expression
• Glasses: Non-thick framed and prescription are permitted
• Headgears - only for religious reasons
• Facial hair - permitted

The processing time for the Latvia tourist visa from India is generally around 10 working days. However, this can vary due to a variety of factors such as the number of entries, validity, etc. It can also depend on the volume of applications at the embassy and your previous travel history. As a result, you must apply for it well in advance.

The fees for the visa depend on the number of entries, the validity, biometric charges, as well as any other service charges levied by the VAC.  It can also vary upon the foreign currency exchange rates. As a result, you will have to check the exact amount before starting the application.

Once you have submitted the documents and the biometrics at the appointment centre, your application will begin processing. Even if you have applied at the VAC, they have no control over the processing and decisions related to it. The processing is solely in the hands of the Embassy. If the visa has been approved, you can collect it directly from the VAC or have it delivered to you by the VAC for an additional charge. 

To quench your curiosity while waiting for the visa, the VAC provides the Latvia tourist visa status tracking services. You can opt for SMS notifications by the VAC, or you can visit https://www.vfsvisaonline.com/Global-PassportTracking and enter your reference number and date of birth to know the status. You may also contact the travel agency you have applied through.

Once you are in possession of this permit, you must keep in mind the following factors to ensure a pleasant journey free of any complications.

• Keep in mind the expiry date, duration of stay, as well as the number of entries mentioned on the visa sticker. You cannot stay beyond the permitted period. 
• Carry all the travel documents without fail. 
• Ensure that you travel to Latvia within 6 months of the issue date, or as mentioned on the sticker. After this date, you will not be allowed to travel as the permit will become invalid.
• While you are travelling within Latvia, carry a copy of your travel documents with you. 
• While you are on a tourist permit, you cannot take part in work activities. However, you are allowed to engage in other activities that fall under the general Schengen short term category such as visiting friends, take up voluntary charity work, etc.
• You will not be able to extend the tourist visa normally.
• You can move freely within the Schengen zone unless you have a Limited Territorial Validity (LTV).