Documents required when applying for a visa

When applying for a short-stay Schengen visa, the applicant has to submit the following:

• documents indicating the purpose of the journey:
• FOR PRIVATE OR BUSINESS TRIPS:
  • Invitation approved by the Immigration Office of the competent state (please find how to determine the competent state).
    • if the competent state is Latvia, the invitation should be approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of Latvia (please see the website.) or an original of invitation letter from the legal entity which has been prepared according to the sample of the invitation letter must be submitted to the consular section or another document confirming the purpose of the visit.
    • if the competent state is Estonia, the invitation should be approved by the Notary Public, submitted in original form.
  • Pre-paid hotel reservation if it is not approved by inviting party and proof of sufficient financial means to pay for accommodation.
  • Proof of available financial means in a form of traveller's cheques or bank statements for the last 6 months proving that you have enough finances (not less than 14 EUR per day) both for the duration of the intended stay and for return to your country of origin or residence, if there is no indication in your invitation that your inviting party will cover your expenses.
  • Document that proves ties to the state of residence – a letter from the employer or education institution.
• FOR TOURISTS
  • Round trip tickets,
  • Prepaid hotel booking,
  • Proof of available finances in a form of traveller's cheques or bank statements for the last 6 months proving that you have enough finances (not less than 14 EUR per day) both for the duration of the intended stay and for return to your country of origin or residence.
  • Document that proves ties to the state of residence – a letter from the employer or education institution
• Visa application form completed and signed by the applicant
• 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
• 2 colour photos (35mm x 45mm)
• 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
• Payment of visa application fee

Consular officers of the representations decide upon 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. For more detailed information about supporting documents to be annexed to a visa application, please contact the respective representation where the foreigner intends to apply for a visa, and/or check the information on the homepage of the respective representation.

VISA APPLICATION FORM

In English: online application form https://epak.pmlp.gov.lv/NVIS.EService001.WebSite/Default.aspx?NewLang=ENG&NewLang=ENGL

In Russian: online application form https://epak.pmlp.gov.lv/NVIS.EService001.WebSite/Default.aspx?NewLang=RUSS

In Latvian: online application form https://epak.pmlp.gov.lv/NVIS.EService001.WebSite/Default.aspx