Schengen visa guide

Latvia Schengen visa: documents checklist and requirements

Last reviewed 8 November 2026 · Capital: Riga

Latvia is a Baltic country with an Art Nouveau capital, long sandy beaches and forests. Applications are made through a Latvian embassy or consulate, or through a Schengen state that represents Latvia in your country.

Latvia Schengen visa at a glance

Question	Typical answer
Visa type	Typical answerShort-stay (Type C) Schengen visa for tourism, family visits and business
Length of stay	Typical answerUp to 90 days in any 180-day period, across the whole Schengen area
Standard fee	Typical answer€90 adults, €45 children aged 6 to 11, free under 6 (plus any service fee)
Decision time	Typical answerUsually up to 15 calendar days, sometimes longer
When to apply	Typical answerUp to 6 months before travel; apply early for busy seasons
Part of Schengen since	Typical answer2007
Where to apply	Typical answerLatvia’s embassy or consulate (check the official page for your country)

Documents checklist for Latvia

These are the documents most Schengen states ask for. Latvia’s embassy publishes its own list, so use this to get organised and then compare it line by line with the official one.

Application form. Completed and signed. Many countries use an online form that you print, check and sign.
Passport. Issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months after you plan to leave the Schengen area, with at least two blank pages. Bring copies of the photo page and any old visas.
Passport photo. One recent colour photo, usually 35 × 45 mm, taken to biometric (ICAO) standards.
Travel medical insurance. Cover of at least €30,000 for emergency medical care and repatriation, valid in all Schengen states for your whole stay.
Flight reservation or itinerary. A reservation showing your entry and exit dates. Avoid non-refundable tickets until the visa is granted.
Accommodation proof. Hotel or rental bookings (ideally free to cancel) for the whole stay, or an invitation letter and proof of address from a host.
Proof of funds. Recent bank statements, usually the last 3 to 6 months, showing regular income and enough money for the trip.
Proof of work, study or other ties. Employer letter, payslips and approved leave; or enrolment letter if studying; or business registration and tax records if self-employed; or pension statements if retired.
Cover letter (recommended). Not an official requirement, but a short letter explaining the purpose of the trip, your itinerary and why you will return helps the officer read your application.
Proof of legal residence. Evidence you live legally in the country where you apply, valid beyond the end of your trip.
Previous Schengen visas. Copies of earlier Schengen visas, if you have held any.
Family documents. If travelling with family: marriage and birth certificates, and written consent from any parent not travelling with a child.

Extra documents depending on where you live

You normally apply in the country where you legally live, and each place has its own usual proofs of income, tax and status. Choose where you live to see the commonly requested extras. The default is the United Kingdom.

I live in

Applying for Latvia from the UK

Citizens of some countries (including UK citizens) do not need a Schengen visa for short stays. This checklist is for UK residents who do, for example people living in the UK on a work, study or family visa.

Proof of UK immigration status: BRP or eVisa share code (valid beyond your trip), or your UK passport details if applicable
UK bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months (all pages, account holder name and address visible)
Last 3 months of payslips and a letter from your UK employer confirming role, salary, start date and approved leave
If self-employed: SA302 or tax year overview, company registration (Companies House) and business bank statements
Proof of UK address in your name: council tax bill, utility bill or tenancy agreement

Latvia-specific points

Latvia’s foreign ministry has an e-consulate application process; check whether your country’s mission uses it.
Trips that combine Riga with Tallinn and Vilnius are common, so make sure the main destination is clear in your itinerary.
Where Latvia has no embassy, another Schengen state may process your application, so confirm where to apply before you book.

Popular places to visit include Riga, Jūrmala, Sigulda and Gauja National Park, Cēsis. Main airports include Riga (RIX), Liepāja (LPX).

Where to apply and which country to choose

Apply to Latvia if it is your main destination, meaning the country where you will spend the most days. If you split your time equally between countries, apply to the one you enter first. Latvia may also be represented by another Schengen state in your country, so check the official page below.

Many Schengen countries take applications through an outsourced visa application centre such as VFS Global, TLScontact or BLS International. These centres collect your documents and biometrics, and charge a service fee on top of the visa fee. Only use the centre listed on the official embassy page.

How to apply for a Latvia Schengen visa

Check you need a visa. Your nationality decides this. Use the official EU visa policy pages or the embassy site to confirm before you spend money.
Choose the right country to apply to. Apply to the country where you will spend the most days. If you split your time equally, apply to the country you enter first.
Read the embassy’s own requirements. Each embassy publishes its own checklist. Use ours to get organised, then compare it line by line with theirs.
Gather and organise your documents. Collect everything, check dates and names match across documents, and keep a digital copy of each file.
Book your appointment. Appointments are made online with the embassy or its visa application centre. You can apply up to 6 months before travel and, as a rule, no later than 15 calendar days before. It is wise to book well ahead in busy seasons.
Attend and give your biometrics. Take originals and copies. Fingerprints and a photo are taken at the appointment, and you pay the visa and service fees.
Wait for the decision. Decisions usually take up to 15 calendar days, and can take longer. Track your application as instructed, and only buy non-refundable travel once the visa is issued.

Common reasons for refusal

Missing or incomplete documents, or documents that do not match each other
Unclear purpose or itinerary, or accommodation that does not cover the whole stay
Not enough proof of funds, or bank statements that show large unexplained deposits
Weak ties to the country you live in, so officers doubt you will return
Insurance that does not meet the minimum cover or does not cover all Schengen states
A passport that is too old, too close to expiry or has no free pages
Previous visa overstays or breaches of immigration rules

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Latvia Schengen visa cost?

The standard Schengen visa fee is currently €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 11, with no fee under 6, though some nationalities pay different amounts. Visa application centres usually add a service fee, and you may pay extra for courier return or optional services. Check the fee on the official Latvia embassy or visa centre page before you pay.

How long does a Schengen visa for Latvia take?

Most decisions are made within 15 calendar days of a complete application, and it can take up to 45 days in some cases. You can usually apply up to 6 months before your trip. Apply early rather than relying on the shortest times.

How long can I stay in Latvia on a Schengen visa?

A short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa allows up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country. Your visa sticker shows the dates you are allowed to enter and leave.

Can I visit Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia on one visa?

Yes. All three Baltic states are in the Schengen area, so one Schengen visa covers all of them. Apply to the one where you will spend the most days.

Official sources: check these before you apply

Always confirm current requirements, fees and appointment rules with the official sources, as they change and can differ by consulate.

Visa application centres differ by country and city. The embassy page above lists the centre it uses for your location, and our mention of a provider is not a recommendation.