Overview of Latvia
Latvia, nestled between Estonia and Lithuania along the Baltic Sea, boasts a rich tapestry of cultural influences from its historical ties with Sweden, Poland, Germany, and Russia. After regaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Latvia has embraced its unique identity, evident in its traditional folk dances and songs. The capital city, Riga, renowned for its Art Nouveau architecture, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest city in the Baltic states. Beyond urban landscapes, Latvia offers vast forests, green fields, and a dramatic coastline. The official language is Latvian, though Russian is widely spoken. Latvia became a member of the Schengen Area in 2007.
Latvia Schengen Visa Eligibility
Schengen visa eligibility for Latvia includes third-country nationals from the following states, who are excluded from visa-free to Latvia/the Schengen area, and are therefore eligible to apply for a Schengen visa to Latvia:
| 1. AFGHANISTAN | 53. LAOS |
| 2. ALGERIA | 54. LEBANON |
| 3. ANGOLA | 55. LESOTHO |
| 4. ARMENIA | 56. LIBERIA |
| 5. AZERBAIJAN | 57. LIBYA |
| 6. BAHRAIN | 58. MADAGASCAR |
| 7. BANGLADESH | 59. MALAWI |
| 8. BELARUS | 60. MALDIVES |
| 9. BELIZE | 61. MALI |
| 10. BENIN | 62. MAURITANIA |
| 11. BHUTAN | 63. MONGOLIA |
| 12. BOLIVIA | 64. MOROCCO |
| 13. BOTSWANA | 65. MOZAMBIQUE |
| 14. BURKINA FASO | 66. NAMIBIA |
| 15. BURMA/MYANMAR | 67. NAURU |
| 16. BURUNDI | 68. NEPAL |
| 17. CAMBODIA | 69. NIGER |
| 18. CAMEROON | 70. NIGERIA |
| 19. CAPE VERDE | 71. NORTH KOREA |
| 20. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC | 72. OMAN |
| 21. CHAD | 73. PAKISTAN |
| 22. CHINA | 74. PAPUA NEW GUINEA |
| 23. COMOROS | 75. PHILIPPINES |
| 24. CONGO | 76. QATAR |
| 25. COTE D’IVOIRE | 77. RUSSIA |
| 26. CUBA | 78. RWANDA |
| 27. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO | 79. SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE |
| 28. DJIBOUTI | 80. SAUDI ARABIA |
| 29. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | 81. SENEGAL |
| 30. ECUADOR | 82. SIERRA LEONE |
| 31. EGYPT | 83. SOMALIA |
| 32. EQUATORIAL GUINEA | 84. SOUTH AFRICA |
| 33. ERITREA | 85. SOUTH SUDAN |
| 34. ETHIOPIA | 86. SRI LANKA |
| 35. FIJI | 87. SUDAN |
| 36. GABON | 88. SURINAME |
| 37. GAMBIA | 89. SWAZILAND |
| 38. GHANA | 90. SYRIA |
| 39. GUINEA | 91. TAJIKISTAN |
| 40. GUINEA-BISSAU | 92. TANZANIA |
| 41. GUYANA | 93. THAILAND |
| 42. HAITI | 94. TOGO |
| 43. INDIA | 95. TUNISIA |
| 44. INDONESIA | 96. TURKEY |
| 45. IRAN | 97. TURKMENISTAN |
| 46. IRAQ | 98. UGANDA |
| 47. JAMAICA | 99. UZBEKISTAN |
| 48. JORDAN | 100.VIETNAM |
| 49. KAZAKHSTAN | 101.YEMEN |
| 50. KENYA | 102.ZAMBIA |
| 51. KUWAIT | 103.ZIMBABWE |
| 52. KYRGYZSTAN |
Third party nationals from the following entities/territories are also required to apply for a Schengen visa: KOSOVO and the PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY.
When to Apply for a Latvia Schengen Visa
Applicants should submit their Latvia Schengen visa applications no more than six months before their planned trip and no later than 15 calendar days prior to departure. It’s advisable to apply well in advance to accommodate potential processing delays.
Processing Time for Latvia Schengen Visa
The processing time for a Latvia Schengen visa typically ranges from 10 to 15 calendar days from the date of your application. However, during peak travel seasons or in individual cases, processing times may extend up to 30 or even 60 days. Therefore, it’s recommended to apply as early as possible to ensure sufficient time for visa processing.
Important Entry Notes
- Notification of Changes: If there are any changes to your travel itinerary after submitting your visa application, you must inform the Latvian consulate or visa application center promptly. Failure to do so may result in the revocation of your visa.
- Visa Validity and Entry: Possession of a Schengen visa does not guarantee entry into Latvia or the Schengen Area. Border authorities have the final decision on entry, and you may be required to provide additional documentation at the point of entry.
- Additional Documentation: Be prepared to present documents that verify your financial means, accommodation details, and the purpose of your visit upon arrival in Latvia.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s recommended to consult the official Latvian consulate or embassy in your country before planning your trip.
