A foreigner who needs to stay in Latvia more than 90 days in a half-year period depending on the circumstances should apply for a long-stay visa (or a residence permit). Under Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council that came into effect on 5 April 2010, a third-country national holding a valid long-stay visa issued by a Schengen state may travel and stay in the territory of other Schengen states no more than 90 days in any 180-day period.
Territorial Competence of the Embassy of Latvia for Acceptance of Requests for Long-stay Visas (D)
The Embassy of Latvia has appointed VF Services (USA) Inc. as its outsourced partner for acceptance and processing of its visa applications. All visa applications will be accepted and processed by VF Services (USA) Inc. through its dedicated Latvia Visa Application Centers in Washington D.C., San Francisco, Houston, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York.
To apply for a long stay (D) visa, applicants are requested to submit the following documents:
· Passport or other travel document with a period of validity extending at least three months past that of the visa, containing at least two blank pages for affixing visas, and issued within the previous ten years;
· completed and signed ONLINE APPLICATION FORM;
· 1 passport-size recent (not older than 6 months) color photo (35mm x 45mm) with a light background, including the entire face, without head-dress. Requirements for the quality of the passport photo can be found here;
· travel medical insurance policy valid for the whole Schengen area and covering the entire period of the foreigner's intended visit in the Schengen area;
· Prior consultation is performed with respect to the nationals of specific third countries according to the Cabinet Regulation of June 21, 2010, No. 554, “Regulations Regarding the States for the Citizens of which in Issuing a Visa or Residence Permit an Additional Examination shall be Performed”. In addition to other documents required for a visa citizens of the states referred to in this reulation shall submit a completed QUESTIONNAIRE.
· payment - a visa fee for processing the visa application is 90 EUR:
- if applying at the VFS Center - the fee is payable at the VFS Center;
- if applying by post - after receiving the documents at the Embassy, the payment link will be sent to your indicated e-mail;
- if applying at the Embassy - the fee is payable at the Embassy by a bank card.
If you wish to receive your documents by FedEx, the fee is 25 EUR if paid by bank card at the Embassy or after receiving the documents at the Embassy, the payment link will be sent to your indicated e-mail. The consular service will be provided after the payment is received. You may also send us your pre-paid, self-addressed secure mail envelope.
If your are applying for a long stay (D) visa from outside the US (Territorial Competence of the Embassy of Latvia for Acceptance of Requests for Schengen Visas (C), Visas with Limited Territorial Validity and Airport Transit Visas), you are requested to arrange a return shipping or enclose a pre-paid, self-addressed secure mail envelope.
Supporting documents:
- Invitation (approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs and filed by the inviting party);
- if employed - letter from the employer stating (position, reason of travel, monthly salary, period of travel);
- if a student - letter from the university stating that the student is allowed to travel and will return for studies;
- if an owner of a company - documentation of company registration and its English translation;
Consular officers of the Embassy determine the kind of supporting documents that have to be submitted by foreign nationals. This depends on the purpose of the visit, travelling experience, ties to the state of residence or situation of the state of residence.
Citizens of the Russian Federation can only apply for a visa in person at the Embassy of Latvia in Washington D.C.
The diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Republic of Latvia accept visa applications from the citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus in following cases:
- family members (spouse, grandparents, parents, children, grandchildren, and dependent persons) of a national of the Republic of Latvia;
- family members of the nationals of the European Union, the European Economic Area, or the Swiss Confederation (under Cabinet Regulation No. 675 of 30 August 2011, “Procedures for the Entry and Residence in the Republic of Latvia of Citizens of the Union and their Family Members”);
- persons who have received the right of residence in Latvia;
- persons whose entry is related to humanitarian considerations (a serious illness of a relative or the need to attend a funeral, or there are threats to their or their family member's safety or life).
Each visa application is assessed in detail on a case by case basis to obtain proof that the person falls within any of the above listed categories. Where the purpose of entry is related to family members or humanitarian considerations, the visa applicant must present documents confirming the kinship and the purpose of entry.
Visa applicants can apply for a long stay (D) visa by mail, except those nationals and passport holders mentioned in the list of countries.
Address of the Embassy of Latvia:
2306 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
In case of questions please contact the Consular Division of the Embassy by e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by telephone for consultations: +1 (202) 328-2878 (from Monday until Friday from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon and from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm Eastern time).