Tourists, who have planned a trip to the Baltic countries, are asking themselves: is there a need for a visa to Latvia ? Wishing to visit this country, one should think about obtaining a visa, since since 2007 the country is included in the Schengen agreement. Although Latvia as a former union republic is considered a near abroad, today it is part of the Schengen area, and therefore the rules for its visit are not so simple. But at the same time it is possible to issue and receive a visa to Latvia independently - for this purpose it will be sufficient to observe certain rules, which will be discussed below.
Visa processing rules for Latvia
The visa to Latvia is independently issued as follows. You can get a visa to visit Latvia, as a rule, at the consulate of that country in Moscow or St. Petersburg. If you want, you can use the services of Pony Express by visiting one of 69 Russian offices for this.
The cost of opening a visa is exactly 35 euros, and they should be paid in this currency directly in the consular section. The documents required to open a visa are:
- civil and foreign passports (the latter should contain two blank pages, and the validity period is more than 3 months after the planned return from Latvia) and their photocopies;
- photo for a visa to Latvia - 2 standard color photographs in the size of 35 mm x 45 mm;
- a visa application form to Latvia, completed by you and certified with your signature;
- references from the place of work about your position, salary amount, dates of the granted leave, etc .;
- documents confirming your solid financial position with a daily income of at least 45 euros;
- a medical policy for the Schengen, covering insurance from 30 thousand euros. It must operate that period of time, while the tourist is going to be on the territory of the Schengen countries and to be valid on their territory;
- photocopies of tickets for a train or plane to Latvia, as well as hotel reservations.
Long-term visa to Latvia
For those who visit Latvia solely as a tourist, a short-term visa is issued, the validity of which is limited to the period of the trip. But it is possible and registration of a long-term visa. Depending on this, their types are distinguished:
- single entry visa - provides an opportunity to visit Latvia 1 time, for a certain period specified in the invitation or in the hotel reservation. At the first trips the tourist gets only a single visa, and in the future there is an opportunity to get a long-term (double or multi-visa);
- double entry visa - you can enter Latvia twice, the maximum period of its validity is 90 days;
- multivisa - it is possible to enter Latvia unlimited number of times, the validity period is 180 days a year (no more than 90 days in each of the six months).
How much visa is made to Latvia?
Terms for issuing a visa to Latvia are clearly regulated. They are from 7 to 10 days (standard procedure) or 3 days (urgent registration). In the latter case, the amount of the consular fee is doubled, and instead of 35 euros you will have to pay already 70.
Do I need a Schengen visa to Latvia?
Tourists, who are faced with the task of obtaining a visa to Latvia, often have a question: do I need a Schengen visa for this? To go to this country, you can issue visas of two types:
- C is directly Schengen visa. It provides an opportunity to stay in the territory of the state for 3 months. Perhaps the distribution of the term to six months, if you make trips to the country several times. A feature of this type of visa is that it can not be extended. It is convenient when there is no purpose for a long stay in the Schengen area. This type of visa is valid in the territory of not one country, but all states belonging to this zone.
- D - National visa - it is issued for the same period, but, if necessary, is subject to extension. This type of visa is issued to a certain country, in this case to Latvia, and operates only on its territory.
Documents for a visa to Latvia (Schengen area)
When preparing a visa type C, you need to submit the following list of documents:
- civil and foreign passports;
- an extract from a bank account;
- standard photo size of 35 mm x 45 mm;
- certificate from the place of work;
- show confirmation of hotel reservations or an invitation from a friend.
In individual cases, you may be required to provide:
- an extract of the movement of financial resources;
- certificates of birth, marriage, divorce;
- power of attorney;
- confirming documents on property ownership.
Visa to Latvia by invitation
Registration of a visa to Latvia requires compliance with certain conditions and submission of necessary documents. Among them is the confirmation of the hotel armor. An alternative is an invitation issued by one of the following categories of persons:
- persons who have a valid travel document issued in Latvia (this can be either citizens or non-citizens of Latvia or stateless persons);
- Persons having a permanent residence permit in Latvia;
- persons who have a temporary residence permit in Latvia - can invite a husband, wife, parents, children for a period of time while their residence permit is valid;
- permanent residents of Latvia, currently residing in Russia, while the invitation is being written in the Latvian embassy;
- legal entities - can invite their business partners.
An invitation is issued in any territorial office of the Office for Citizenship and Migration Affairs of Latvia. Concerning the invited party, it is necessary to provide such information:
- first name, last name;
- belonging to a particular state;
- data on birth (date and place);
- address of residence (should be specified exactly, as in case of non-compliance, a refusal to issue a visa is possible);
- justification and purpose of entry;
- the planned date of stay in Latvia and the address of the place where it is planned to stay;
- the prospective place of application for a visa.
The invitation number will be valid for six months from the date of its confirmation. Therefore, it is advisable to plan it in advance. It is better to request a visa for the maximum period indicated in the invitation, since it will be difficult to prolong it, this is allowed only in emergency situations.
Visa to Latvia for minors
The hotel procedure is provided in case of a visa for a minor child. For this, it is necessary to provide such a list of documents:
- a questionnaire containing a photo of the child, it is completed and signed by parents or guardians, their data are indicated in the questionnaire;
- birth certificate;
- civil and foreign passports, they are both provided if the child's age is 14 years old;
- 2 photos, the period of their limitation should be no more than half a year before the date of submission of documents;
- a medical policy for the Schengen, covering insurance from 30 thousand euros;
- documents confirming your solid financial position of your parents (certificate from your place of work or bank statement for the last three months).
Visa to Latvia for senior citizens
In case the retiree plans to travel to Latvia, he must provide an ordinary package of documents. In addition, the following additional services are provided:
- copy of pension certificate
- A certificate from the place of work of the person who will pay for the trip,
- a statement by that person that it is ready to bear the costs of a pensioner in the territory of Latvia, a photocopy of the first page of his passport;
- document of kinship.
For such states as Belarus and Ukraine, the list of documents for the opening of a visa to Latvia is absolutely the same, as well as the size of the consular fee.
If you do not wish to apply for a visa to Latvia on your own, you can entrust this matter to a special company with appropriate accreditation.