Documents required when applying for a short-stay visa to enter Latvia
The Embassy of Latvia has appointed VF Services (UK) Limited as its outsourced partner for acceptance and processing of its visa applications. All visa applications will be accepted and processed by VF Services (UK) Limited through its dedicated Latvia Visa Application Centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. Additional information is available here: Apply for VISA to Latvia.
The visa centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh will manage scheduling of appointments for submission of visas (appointment required). Visa applications must be submitted in person (except minor children under 12 years of age. Parents/legal guardians can submit documents).
You may apply for Schengen visa up to 6 months before the start of your trip.
All visa applicants must bring the following documents
- Visa application form completed online and signed by the applicant. One parent/legal guardian must sign application form for minors.
- One recent color passport photograph (A recent color passport photo. Measuring 35mm x 45mm. The photo should bear close resemblance to your current appearance and you should be facing the camera directly.
- Passport/travel document. The passport/travel document must have two blank pages for the visa sticker and notes of border crossing. Your passport/travel document must be valid for at least 3 months after your visit to Latvia/ Schengen area (or in the case of several visits, after the last intended date of departure) and must have been issued within the previous 10 years. If you have travelled in the Schengen area in the last 3 years, and your previous Schengen visas are in an expired passport, it is preferred that you submit the expired passport
- Residence permit or long term visa issued in the United Kingdom valid for at least one month beyond the intended departure from the Schengen area.
- Evidence of occupation/student status/document that proves ties to the state of residence.
- Employment - Original signed letter from employer and pay slips for the last three months.
- Self-employment - Original signed letter from a solicitor, accountant or Companies House confirming self-employment status.
- Unemployment -Social benefit entitlement letter.
- Students - Original signed student letter from school, college or university confirmingcourse details.
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Round trip tickets. Confirmed return travel tickets: showing the reservation code, applicant’s name and travel dates to & from Schengen Area.
- Proof of purpose of visit
- Family/friends/private visit - Invitation approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, see link
- Business/Conference - Invitation approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, see link. Original signed invitation letter from business partner in Latvia (including all the necessary information, see link
- Tourism - Confirmed hotel reservation for all planned stays in the Schengen area or confirmation of organized tour. If you are planning several visits or visit other Schengen countries hotel bookings must be produced for all visits. Please note that Latvia must be the main destination of your trip (the country where you will be spending the most number of days)
- Travel medical insurance policy valid for the whole Schengen area, covering the entire period of the intended visit to the Schengen area including also "the period of grace" of 15 days. The insurance must cover emergency medical expenses, hospitalization and repatriation (also in case of death) - minimum 30,000 EUR see section "Travel medical insurance". Evidence of this cover is required, i.e. the relevant paragraphs from the full insurance policy document (not Key Facts or Summary). If your employer is covering travel insurance or you are a member of a company travel insurance scheme your employer’s letter must confirm this. Otherwise private travel insurance must be produced. If the applicant will travel to Latvia for more than two times, he must present a valid travel medical insurance policy covering the period of the first intended visit.
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Evidence of sufficient funds for the visit (not less than 13 GBP per day), if there is no indication in your invitation that your inviting party will cover your expenses.
- Original recent Bank Statements - covering the last 3 calendar months.
(Online printouts confirmed by bank showing the name and account number can be accepted). - Recent Credit Card Statement showing credit limit.
- Traveller’s Cheques
Cash is not accepted
- Original recent Bank Statements - covering the last 3 calendar months.
NOTE! For the citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus completed questionnaire must be attached.
NOTE! Minors (children under the age of 18) - in addition to the above requirements - Application form must be signed at least by one parent/legal guardian. Birth Certificate/proof of legal guardianship has to be presented and copy submitted. Both parents consent has to be submitted if minor is traveling alone.
Please provide the copies of the documents which you require back when submitting your visa application