Latvia Tourist Visa Guide for Indians 2026

Before you start your Latvia visa application, make sure you have these essentials ready:

·        Passport valid for 3+ months beyond your return date with 2 blank pages

·        Two recent passport-size photos (35mm x 45mm, white background)

·        Completed Schengen visa application form (printed and signed)

·        Travel insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage valid across all Schengen states

·        Confirmed round-trip flight itinerary with booking reference

·        Hotel bookings for every night of your stay

·        Bank statements for the last 3-6 months (₹3-5 lakh balance recommended)

·        Salary slips (last 3 months) and Income Tax Returns (2-3 years)

·        Cover letter explaining your trip purpose and itinerary

·        Employment letter or NOC from your employer

The key thing to remember about Latvia is that it follows the standard Schengen visa process — the same form, the same insurance requirement, and the same VFS Global application centres used by France, Germany, and other Schengen countries. What makes Latvia special is that applications are straightforward, appointment slots are easy to get (Indian applicant numbers are very low), and the approval rate is high.

 Important: A new Electronic Travel Declaration (ETA) is required from September 1, 2025 for third-country nationals entering Latvia. However, if you hold a Latvia Schengen visa, the ETA is not required — your visa covers the pre-arrival information requirement.

The world's Art Nouveau capital. Riga has the highest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings on the planet — entire streets lined with ornate facades featuring mythical creatures, floral motifs, and dramatic human figures. Alberta Street alone has some of the finest examples you will find anywhere. If you appreciate architecture, Riga delivers something truly unique.

A medieval Old Town that feels real. Riga's Vecrīga is not a polished tourist reconstruction — it is a living, breathing medieval centre with cobblestone lanes, the House of the Black Heads, St. Peter's Church with its panoramic tower, and the Swedish Gate. Walk without a map and let the streets surprise you.

Baltic beaches without the crowds. Jurmala, a 30-minute train ride from Riga, is a 32-kilometre stretch of white-sand Baltic beach backed by pine forests and wooden Art Nouveau villas. In summer, it has all the seaside charm of a European resort town without the Mallorca price tag.

One of Europe's best-value destinations. Latvia is among the cheapest Schengen countries. Hostels start from ₹1,600 per night, a hearty meal at the Central Market costs ₹350-700, and public transport tickets are under ₹150. You can explore Riga for days without touching your emergency fund.

Your gateway to the Baltics. A Latvia Schengen visa covers all 27 Schengen countries. Bus connections to Tallinn (4.5 hours) and Vilnius (4 hours) make it easy to combine Latvia with Estonia and Lithuania on a single trip.

Indian citizens who want to visit Latvia for tourism apply for a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C):

The standard tourist visa allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across all 27 Schengen countries. You apply through VFS Global, which processes applications on behalf of the Embassy of Latvia in New Delhi.

If you plan to visit multiple Schengen countries, apply to the country where you will spend the most nights. If Latvia is your main destination, you apply to Latvia. If you are spending equal time across the Baltics, apply to the country of first entry.

For the full document list, eligibility details and multi-entry options, see the main Latvia visa guide.

Getting your Latvia Schengen visa does not require obscure paperwork. Most of what you need is standard for any European trip.

·        Passport — Valid for at least 3 months beyond your return date, with at least 2 blank pages. Your passport should also not be older than 10 years.

·        Passport photos — Two recent colour photos, 35mm x 45mm, white background, full face visible. The same规格 photos you used for your last visa work here.

·        Flight itinerary — A confirmed round-trip booking with PNR number showing entry and exit from the Schengen zone. Book refundable tickets or use a dummy ticket for the application.

·        Hotel bookings — Confirmed reservations for every night of your stay. Refundable bookings are perfectly acceptable.

·        Bank statements — Last 3-6 months of statements showing consistent salary credits and sufficient balance. A balance of ₹3-5 lakh is recommended, with a minimum of €14 per day of stay (about ₹1,525 per day).

·        Travel insurance — Mandatory for all Schengen countries. Minimum €30,000 coverage valid across all 27 Schengen states for your entire trip duration.

·        Employment proof — Salary slips for the last 3 months, ITR for 2-3 years, and an employer NOC on company letterhead.

Cover letter — A brief letter explaining why you are visiting Latvia, your day-by-day itinerary, and your intention to return to India. This is where you show genuine interest in Latvia specifically — mentioning Riga's Art Nouveau district, the Central Market, or Jurmala beach makes your application stronger.

How to Apply for a Latvia Tourist Visa

The Latvia visa application follows the standard Schengen process through VFS Global. Here is the compressed step-by-step:

1.      Verify that Latvia is your main destination (most nights). If you are doing a Baltic loop, count your nights carefully — the country where you stay the longest is where you apply.

2.      Book your appointment at VFS Global at visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/lva/. Latvia appointments are typically available within days, not weeks.

3.      Complete the Schengen visa application form online, print it, and sign it. Ensure all details match your passport exactly.

4.      Gather all documents: passport, photos, flight itinerary, hotel bookings, bank statements, insurance, salary slips, ITR, employer NOC, and cover letter.

5.      Attend your VFS appointment: submit documents, provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo), and pay the visa fee plus VFS service charge.

6.      Wait approximately 10-15 working days for processing. During peak season (June-August), it may take up to 30 days.

7.      Collect your passport with the visa decision, or opt for courier delivery.

 Expert tip: Latvia allows walk-in submissions at VFS centres without a prior appointment during working hours (typically 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM). However, booking an appointment is recommended to avoid long waiting times, especially during peak travel season.

The sweet spot for Indian tourists is June to August, when Riga comes alive with outdoor cafes, festivals, and long summer evenings. Jurmala beach is actually swimmable in July and August. May and September offer fewer crowds, lower prices, and pleasant weather. If you love Christmas markets, December in Riga is magical but dark — it gets dark by 4 PM.

Applying to the wrong country. If you are visiting multiple Schengen countries, you must apply to the country where you will spend the most nights. Applying to the wrong embassy is grounds for rejection.

Weak cover letter. Latvia is an unusual Indian tourist destination — the consulate wants to see genuine interest. Mention specific Latvian attractions, not generic Europe plans.

Insufficient bank balance. While the minimum is €14/day, showing ₹3-5 lakh in your account with consistent salary credits is much safer. A low balance with a sudden large deposit looks suspicious.

Old or blurry documents. Online-printed bank statements without branch attestation are frequently questioned. Get stamped originals from your bank.

Forgetting the ETA. From September 1, 2025, a new Electronic Travel Declaration is required for entering Latvia. If you hold a Latvia-issued Schengen visa, the ETA is waived — but if you hold a Schengen visa from another country, you must submit the ETA at eta.gov.lv at least 48 hours before arrival.

Applying too late. Standard processing is 10-15 working days, but peak season can push this to 30 days. Apply at least 6 weeks before travel.

Riga's Art Nouveau district. Alberta Street and the surrounding neighbourhoods have the finest collection of Art Nouveau architecture in the world. Entire buildings are adorned with mythical creatures, flowing floral motifs, and dramatic sculptural faces. It is a photographer's dream, and it is completely free to walk and admire.

The Central Market (Rīgas Centrāltirgus). Set inside enormous former Zeppelin hangars, this is one of Europe's largest and most impressive food markets. Smoked fish, pickles, berries, rye bread, cheese, pastries — all at local prices. A market breakfast costs a fraction of a cafe meal and gives you a genuine taste of Latvian life.

Jurmala beach and boardwalk. Just 30 minutes from Riga by train, Jurmala offers a 32-kilometre stretch of fine white sand backed by pine forests. The wooden Art Nouveau villas, the Dzintari concert hall, and the quiet boardwalk atmosphere make it a perfect day trip.

Gauja National Park and Sigulda. About an hour from Riga, Sigulda sits on the rim of a deep forested valley inside Gauja National Park. Turaida Castle, the Gutmanis Cave, the cable car over the Gauja River valley, and autumn foliage that turns the entire forest gold — it is Latvia's most scenic day trip.

Riga's food scene on a budget. From pelmeni (dumplings) at the Central Market to Riga Black Balsam (herbal liqueur) in an 800-year-old cellar, Latvia's food scene is hearty, affordable, and surprisingly diverse. Vegetarian options are available in the city, and a good dinner costs ₹1,200-2,500.

Currency: Latvia uses the Euro (€). 1 EUR is approximately ₹109. Cards are widely accepted in Riga, but carry some cash for markets, smaller towns, and occasional cash-only cafes.

Connectivity: Get a local SIM or use an eSIM — data is affordable in the Baltics. Coverage is excellent in cities and good along main transport routes.

Transport: Riga has excellent public transport (buses, trams, trolleybuses) with an e-ticket system. For day trips, trains to Jurmala and Sigulda are cheap and frequent. Bolt works well for city taxis.

Food: Vegetarian options are available in Riga, though more limited outside the city. The Central Market is your best bet for affordable, authentic meals. Try pelmeni, grey peas with bacon (for non-vegetarians), and Latvian rye bread.

Weather: Baltic weather is unpredictable — even in summer, carry a light jacket. Winters are cold and dark (down to -15°C). Layers are your best friend.

All trip costs include return flights from India (₹35,000-60,000), Schengen visa fee (₹9,709), accommodation, food, transport, and activities.

There are no direct flights from India to Riga. The most popular routes connect through Warsaw (LOT Polish Airlines), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), or Helsinki (Finnair). Return fares typically range from ₹35,000-60,000 if booked 6-8 weeks in advance. April and November tend to be the cheapest months; June-August is peak season and priciest.

Best for: First-timers who want the full Riga experience.