Latvian Schengen Visa Application Requirements

Introduction

Latvia is a small European state located on the Baltic Sea and spans over an area of 64,589 km2. The country joined the Schengen Agreement in 2003 and started issuing Latvian Schengen Visa in 2007.

The country is home to just 1.95 million people. The tiny Baltic state restored its independence in 1991.

Its capital Riga is home to many museums and concert halls.

What is Schengen Visa?

Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa that enables its holder to travel 26 European countries which are part of Schengen Area. Authorities concerned will not subject holder of Schengen Visa to border checks at internal borders of the Schengen countries.

General documents for Latvian Schengen Visa Application

Application form: The first step is to download the application form. Read it carefully and then fill it with utmost honesty.

Latvia has also introduced the facility of filling the Schengen Visa application electronically and then printing a hard-copy.

Attach two latest photos with it. Photos should be clicked in the passport format by the applicant, full-face captured with a light background.

Passport:  The current passport must be valid for a minimum of 90 days beyond the validity of the requested visa.

The current passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and it must have a minimum of 2 blank visa pages in order to affix the visa.

Other important documents are as follow:

Roundtrip Flight Itinerary for visa application: Roundtrip Flight Itinerary specifies flight numbers and dates detailing applicant’s entry and exit from the Schengen state.

Travel Visa Health Insurance: European states have made Travel Visa Health Insurance mandatory for all the applicants who want to enter their territories. As per law, Travel Visa Health Insurance should cover minimum health expenses equivalent to 30,000 euros in case of any medical complication or repatriation after death. The insurance policy should clearly mention insuree, its validity and the benefits offered.

Hotel Booking Reservation/Proof of accommodation: The document details place or places where the applicant has planned to stay during the course of his/her visit to the Schengen Area.

It includes:

A hotel/hostel booking; and

A rental agreement; and

A letter of invitation from a host at whose house you will be staying.

Cover Letter: Cover Letter or Covering Letter is a letter sent with and explaining the contents of another document/documents or parcels of goods.

The applicant explains the following things in Schengen Visa Cover Letter:

The Intention of traveling to the Schengen state/states.

Proof of civil status (marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, ration card if applicable).

Explaining relation with a sponsor (if any) and the reasons for sponsorship. An overview of the applicant’s flight itinerary.

In case applicant fails to produce a document, then he tells the reasons and explains the alternative documents (that he/she might have submitted).

Means of subsistence/Proof of sufficient financial means: It means to provide evidence to the Latvian Embassy or consulate that the applicant has sufficient amount or financial resources to bear his/her expenditures during his stay in the Schengen country. The applicant is bound to attest to the Latvian Consulate or Embassy that he possesses daily cash equivalent to 14€.

Proof of paid visa fee: €60 for adults and €35 for children from 6 to 12 years old. These fees are not reimbursable in case visa application gets rejected.

If employed:

Employment contract; and

Current bank statement of the latest 6 months; and

Leave permission from the employer; and

Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.

If self-employed:

A copy of your business license; and

Company bank statement of the latest 6 months; and

Income Tax Return (ITR).

If a student:

Proof of enrollment; and

No-objection certificate from school or university.

If retired:

Pension statement of the latest 6 months.

If applicable:

Regular income generated by property proof of the latest 6 months.

*Note: The signed application form must be accompanied the rest of the above-mentioned mandatory documents and handed personally at the appropriate embassy/consulate or its representative in your home country.

Apart from the general documentation required, accompanying should be other additional documents depending on the nature of your visa application.

Latvian Schengen Visa for Tourism/Visit Purpose

Proof of sponsorship/Invitation (originally signed): It is recommended to attach the proof of sponsorship/invitation with the visa application. Immigration Authority of Latvia issues the document; and

In case the applicant intends to visit more Schengen countries, travel plan.

Latvian Schengen Visa for Business Purpose

Invitation letter: An applicant must attach an invitation letter issued by the company of the host country. It is pertinent here to mention that an invitation letter must contain the detailed address of the company and complete dates pf applicant’s visit.

NOC from employer: This letter explains the reasons for applicant’s travel to the host nation.

Proof of financial means: The employer or company of the host nation are bound to submit an affidavit regarding coverage of applicant’s expenses during his/her stay in the Schengen state.

Business Bank Statement: Applicant must attach the bank statement of his/her company of the past six months.

Memorandum and Article of Association

Trade License (first issued and present renewal).

Latvian Schengen Visa for Student

Enrollment certificate: An enrollment certificate issued by the school/college/university of the host nation.

NOC: A No Objection Certificate from issued by the school/college/university of the host nation.

Latvian Schengen Visa for Medical Purpose

Medical Report: A medical report issued by the doctor, clinic or hospital of the applicant’s home country.

Medical Attestation: An attestation from the doctor or hospital of the host nation stating the dates of the applicant’s appointment.

Letter of Invitation: This document details applicant’s aims for consulting the doctor of Schengen country, minute details of illness along with the expected duration of the treatment, estimated expenses, and the doctor leading the medical board and so on.

Proof of covering or paying medical expenses in advance.

Bank transfer slip: A bank transfer slip to confirm payment of dues in advance (for prepaid medical treatment of the applicant).

Additional documents required by the spouse of Latvian national for visa application

Proof of Latvian citizenship (ID card or consular card or certification of Latvian nationality or naturalization order).

Latvian marriage certificate.

Latvian family record book.

Latvian Schengen Visa for Culture, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes:

Invitation letter from the above-mentioned authorities with details upon the nature of events or activities – the purpose of visit, expense coverage; and

Names of the applicants (crew members); and

Duration of stay; and

Travel itinerary.

Latvian Schengen Visa for Members of Official Delegations

Following additional documents are required by the members of the official delegations for acquiring visa of Latvia:

Official ID of the applicant

Formal invitation copy

Purpose of visit (meetings, events arranged by the intergovernmental organizations and consultation)

Expected duration of the stay

Hotel Booking/Proof of accommodation

Documents required for an Airport Transit Schengen Visa

Applicant must possess an authentic visa for the final country of the Schengen Area he/she is traveling to.

A flight ticket for final country of the Schengen Area he/she is traveling to.

Other specific documents depending upon nature of Latvia Schengen Visa

Diplomatic officers at embassies or consulates of Schengen states can demand other documents depending upon the nature of visa.

Extension in Latvia Schengen Visa

Immigration officials enjoy jurisdiction to extend the duration of Latvia Schengen Visa in the exceptional cases where special reasons and new facts may arise after entry in the country.

Duration of Schengen Visa

A Latvian Schengen Visa holder can stay up to 90 days within a period of six months for business or tourist purpose in Schengen state/states.

However, if you want to live or work in any of the Schengen countries for more than 90 days, then you are required to apply for the visa of that particular European state.

When to apply?

As per instructions and rules of European Commission, an aspirant must file Schengen Visa application at least 15 days prior to the start date of his trip.