According to the Territorial Competence, Sri Lankan nationals are subjected to apply for a Long Stay visa with the Embassy of Latvia in India.
According to the Immigration Law of Latvia, students from the third countries (except nationals of these countries) who are enrolled into education institutions accredited in Latvia can apply for the long stay visa at the diplomatic and consular representations of Latvia in the third countries. After receiving a long stay visa (valid for 90 days), upon entering Latvia, students are subjected to apply for a residence permit at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of Latvia (OCMA).
Starting from November 2022 all applicants from Sri Lanka applying for a Long Stay visa with the purpose “Studies in Latvia'' are subjected to a visa support document verification with service provider Hello Verify India Private Limited.
Step-by-step guidelines, as well as document submission for verification, are available at https://visa.helloverify.com .
NB! Without Hello Verify transaction number, appointment for visa application submission at VFS WILL NOT be granted.
Long stay visa submission procedure
1. Contact the VFS Global Sri Lanka call centre at + 9411350608 to get appointment for the visa application submission.
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1. Passport
Passport with a period of validity extending at least three months after the intended date of departure from Latvia or other Member State, and containing at least two blank pages. Copies of the identification pages and the pages that contain information about previously issued visas.
2. Long stay visa e-application form printed and signed by the applicant. The form is available online (epak.pmlp.gov.lv) – visa type: NATIONAL VISA (TYPE D).
3. One photo
(Size 35mm x 45 mm) must be taken in last 6 months and it should be with white background.
4. Invitation approved by the OCMA
An invitation by applicant’s education facility in Latvia that is approved by the OCMA has to be submitted. The invitation should be dated not later than 6 months prior to the application date.
5. Study agreement
A copy of a signed study agreement has to be submitted along with the with the AIC (Academic Information Centre) Certificate document.
6. Written certification issued by the higher education institution or college- On the matriculation of the student and the arrival in Latvia is required for the completion of a study programme.
7. Proof of sufficient financial means
7.1 - Original private bank account statement showing the movements during the last three months with balance confirmation letter from the bank duly stamped and signed by the bank.
7.2 – International Credit or Debit card activated for transactions in Euro.
7.3 - In case university provides the service of issuing a statement on the availability of the necessary financial means in the university account, original of the statement dully signed and stamped by the university has to be submitted.
8. Proof of sponsorship
In case you are sponsored by a family/relative, a notarised declaration of sponsorship to be submitted. Proof of professional status of the sponsor – contract of employment, payslips for the last 3 months; self-employed – certificate of registration of the Company, company’s bank statements for the last three months dully signed and stamped by the bank.
9. Proof of the previous education
Originals presented and copies of your prior education diplomas and mark sheets have to be submitted.
10. Proof of Accommodation
A proof of your intended residence in Latvia has to be submitted.
- University dormitory confirmation document.
- If the stay will be at an accommodation owned by a physical or a legal person, you will be required to provide a notarised document that the owner of the property, or their representative with power-of-attorney, consents to the stay as well as a statement from the land registry proving that the property belongs to the person giving consent and that they have the right to rent it.
11. Travel medical insurance
Travel insurance to be valid for the whole Schengen area and covering the entire period of the intended visit (90 days). The minimum coverage of 42,600 EUR including the costs of urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment in case of an illness as well as medical transportation and repatriation in the event of death. Medical insurance policy can be obtained in applicant’s country of residence, or in any other country, or taken out by the inviting person. It is important that the insurance meets all the above requirements.
12. Hello Verify conformation slip
Conformation received from Hello Verify for successfully uploaded supporting documents for the document verification.
13. Visa fee of 60 EUR
A full list of the categories of persons exempted from payment of the state fee is available in the Paragraph 11 of the 12.09.2017. Regulations Regarding the State Fee for Examination of the Documents Necessary for Requesting a Visa, Residence Permit or the Status of a Long-term Resident of the European Union in the Republic of Latvia and the Services Related Thereto.
According to the Immigration Law of Latvia, the visa processing time is 15 days after submission of all the stipulated documents. The documents are considered to be submitted when received at the Embassy from the VFS Global. If additional information or inspection is necessary for the issue of a long-stay visa, the decision shall be taken within 60 days.
VFS Global Sri Lanka applies service charges, fee of a courier as well as fee for the video conferencing:
Service fee (Inc.Tax): 6636 LKR
Mandatory 2-way courier: 7166 LKR
Service Fee for Video Conferencing: 7104 LKR
NOTE! The Visa fee and service charges are non-refundable in case the visa is refused.