If you are somebody who loves nature, then Latvia is one of the best places for you to visit! Latvia is a European country filled with lush greenery and wilderness, it is one of Europe's greenest countries, and Latvia has spectacular beaches and great national parks too.
Hence, if Latvia is going to be your next travel destination for tourism purposes or any other important matter, then you must know the visa policies for Latvia. As part of the European Union and a Schengen country, you can easily travel to Latvia with a Schengen visa.
This article will share more about whether or not you can travel to Latvia with a Schengen visa, what this visa is, and how you can acquire it!
What is the Latvia Schengen Visa?
The Latvia Schengen visa is a short stay visa that allows you to stay in Latvia for a short while for purposes such as tourism, visitation, or business.
If you have a Schengen visa, you can travel to any other Schengen country, too, with the Latvian Schengen visa, according to the Schengen agreement.
Validity of the Latvia Schengen Visa
The Latvian Schengen visa is valid for 180 days and permits a stay of 90 days. You can get a single entry or multiple entry Schengen visa.
If you wish to stay in Latvia longer, you must apply for a Latvia national visa. The national visas include Latvia tourist, work, and study visas.
Processing Time of the Latvia Schengen Visa
Like any other Schengen visa, the processing time for the Latvia visa is also 15 days. However, any disparity in the Latvia Schengen visa application and the documents submitted can delay the processing time, and the processing time can extend up to 60 days.
Hence, to avoid problems right after your trip, you shouldn't apply for the visa at the last minute.
Who Needs a Schengen Visa to Visit Latvia?
If you are a national from any of the Schengen member states, you only need an identification document to enter Latvia, not a visa. However, suppose you belong to a non Schengen country. In that case, you must obtain the Latvia Schengen visa as only Schengen countries nationals can travel without needing a Schengen visa.
Nevertheless, there are also certain countries whose nationals are permitted visa free travel. Hence, you must not have a visa either, and a simple identification document will suffice.
Once you obtain your Latvia Schengen visa and travel to Latvia, the border officer may ask you specific questions about the trip.
Will I Be Permitted to Entry to Latvia With a Schengen Visa?
Yes, if you have a Schengen visa, you can quickly enter Latvia! However, with the Schengen visa, you are only allowed to visit for a short period with a maximum of 90 days, and the immigration officer may reduce the number of days for your stay too.
What are the Latvia Schengen Visa Requirements?
You must fulfill the Latvian Schengen visa requirements to receive the visa. First and foremost, you need to have the visa application form, which is easy to fill out as it asks for basic details.
Next, you have to provide your valid passport. The passport should not be older than ten years and should be valid at least three months after you leave Latvia. You also have to submit two passport pictures, which should be identifiable. Additionally, if you have any previous visas, you must provide those too!
Other required documents include a cover letter detailing the visit's reason and duration of the stay. Moreover, you must submit proof of accommodation, proof of flight itinerary, and sufficient funds to guarantee that you can pay for your travel. Don't forget to pay the visa fee after you have gathered all the documents and submitted them!
To obtain any Schengen visa, travel health insurance is necessary. The insurance should be at least €30,000.
Other documents will be required based on the Schengen visa you applied for. Such as an invitation letter if any organization, family, or friend has invited you.
How to Apply for the Latvia Schengen Visa?
You can apply for the Latvia visa in two ways. First is visiting the Latvia Embassy, Consulate, or the visa application center. However, before visiting any of these places, you must schedule an appointment beforehand. Once you have scheduled your appointment, you will take your Latvian Schengen visa application form and documents and visit. You will also have to give a visa interview later and pay the visa fees.
Or you could apply online. Online platforms like VisaHQ expedite the visa process for visa applicants. After visiting the site, the site will prompt you to enter your home country and destination. After choosing the destination as Latvia and your nationality, the site will showcase information regarding the types of Latvia visas. You can see whether you need a visa to apply and then choose the visa you want to apply for.
Fill out the Latvia visa application form at your convenience and upload the required documents. After completing these steps, you must pay the visa fee and patiently wait for the visa to be sent to you!