Latvia is one of the greenest countries in Europe. The country is filled with nature and has many sights for travelers, including magnificent beaches and national parks. Latvia has been part of the European Union since 2004; now, it has become part of the Schengen area and is now a Schengen country.
Therefore, those travelers who do need a visa to travel to Latvia need to acquire a Schengen visa to travel to the country! And to acquire the visa, there are certain requirements that you must fulfill. If you are trying to know the visa requirements, you have reached the right place!
This article will highlight what the Latvia Schengen visa is and what the requirements for this visa are!
What is the Latvia Schengen Visa?
Latvia Schengen visa is a short stay visa. With the help of this visa, you can stay in Latvia for business purposes, tourism, or visiting your family and friends. You can also use the Latvia Schengen visa to travel to other Schengen countries. This visa permits travelers to travel anywhere within the Schengen zone. You can get a Latvia visa for single entry or multiple entries.
Validity
The Latvia visa is valid for three months; you can stay for 90 days per stay. The number of days you can stay in Latvia can be modified depending on the immigration officer at the border control. The concerned authorities can extend your Latvia visa if you provide proof of your extension.
Moreover, you can also apply for a Latvia national visa, and there are multiple types of national visas, such as the Latvia tourist visa, business visa, work visa, etc.
Processing Time
The processing time for the Latvia Schengen visa is normally 15 days; however, in certain circumstances, it can take up to 60 days for the visa to be processed. This happens when you don't fill out the visa application correctly or there is any background check that needs to be completed.
Hence, plan ahead of time to avoid visa issues near your trip.
What are the Requirements for the Latvia Schengen Visa?
It would be best if you met certain criteria to acquire a visa for Latvia. The documents required to apply for the Latvia Schengen visa are as follows:
You will need to fill out the Latvia Schengen visa application form. Ensure the form is filled out properly and you do not leave any questions. You must provide your valid passport, which should have at least two blank visa pages and be valid for at least three months once you leave Latvia.
Moreover, you will also need your passport photos, which should be clear. If you have any previous visas, you must also submit copies of those visas.
To travel to any Schengen country and to acquire a Schengen visa, you must have travel health insurance. The travel health insurance should be a minimum of €30,000, and the insurance is necessary as it will cover your costs in emergencies.
Other supporting documents required include flight itinerary or tickets for other transportation means. Moreover, you need proof of accommodation for your stay in Latvia.
You need to provide a cover letter too. This cover letter should contain information explaining why you want to travel to Latvia, how long you plan to stay there, etc. Civil status proof such as birth or marriage certificates may be required if applicable.
You also have to provide proof of sufficient funds, and this is to give the authorities an idea that you have enough funds to cover your trip to Latvia.
Once you have collected all the documents required for the Schengen visa, you must also pay the visa fee to seal the deal!
How to Apply for the Latvia Schengen Visa?
There are two mediums for applying for the Latvia Schengen Visa. One is by visiting the Latvia embassy, Latvia Consulate, or the visa application center. This medium will require you to arrange an appointment beforehand, and you will also have to appear for the visa interview.
The other medium is through some online platforms. VisaHQ is a third-party service that offers passport and visa services. You can apply for different visas online without much hassle; the sites provide all the information a visa applicant may need. To apply for the Schengen visa, you must select your home country and choose the destination as Latvia. Once done, you will see all the details about the Latvia visa.
You can then read through the requirements and the types of visas and choose which one you want to apply for. Fill out the visa application form online and upload the scan of all the documents. You have to pay the visa fees then and wait for the days stated for the processing time. You can complete the process smoothly through VisaHQ.