Latvia: independent visa application for Russians in 2021

The Republic of Latvia has already joined the Schengen zone, so all Russians need a visa to Latvia if they want to enter the territory of this state. A visa is issued at the consular departments of the Latvian Embassy located in various territories of Russia, as well as at visa centers in Moscow, St. Petersburg and 19 other Russian cities where there are VC offices. As a rule, self-registration does not cause great difficulties.

Active travelers can obtain Latvian Schengen for several years.

Who needs a visa

If a citizen of the Russian Federation is planning a visit to Latvia, then for him the answer to the question of whether Russians need a visa to Latvia is positive. The entry document must be issued in advance before the planned trip. The Latvian entry visa belongs to the category of Schengen visas, therefore its registration is standardized and regulated by the relevant EU legislation.

In addition to the existing rules and regulations, from September 2015, a new fingerprinting procedure will be required to obtain a visa to Latvia. Now, when submitting documents, every Russian citizen has his biometric data taken: photograph and fingerprints. They are entered into the pan-European VIS system, where they will be stored for five years. Based on this data, further Schengen visas will be issued, and after the expiration of the five-year period, the procedure will be repeated. Children under 12 years old do not provide their data.

Types of visas

Any visa to Latvia for Russians is essentially of two types: Schengen visa “C” and national visa “D”. They are issued for different purposes and tasks, and each has its own validity period and maximum number of days of stay.

Schengen type C to Latvia

Schengen visa "C"

A similar Latvian visa is given to almost all categories of applicants who intend to visit the state for a short visit. Suitable for tourism purposes, visits by invitation, official visits, business trips, trips to conferences, seminars, short courses and so on. The permitted number of days of stay on such a visa allows a Russian citizen to stay in Latvia for 90 days, which is usually enough to resolve all his affairs.

With a Schengen Latvian visa, you have the opportunity to travel to all European countries that are part of the Schengen zone, as well as those that are on the way to entering there.

National visa "D"

A national visa to Latvia is requested to obtain the possibility of a longer stay in the state. For example, if the applicant plans to work in Latvia, or close family members of the applicant are Latvian citizens, or a decision has been made to study in this country. A national visa imposes restrictions on movement within the Schengen area.

To Latvia by invitation

Many citizens of the Russian Federation have relatives and friends living in Latvia. They can either be citizens of Latvia or have the status of a residence permit, or be citizens of any other EU state. Residents of the North-Western Autonomous Okrug of Russia have especially close ties with this country, who have the theoretical opportunity to cross the border very often to see loved ones.

In order to have the right to frequently visit the country, there is a special visa to Latvia by invitation for Russians, which is also Schengen and belongs to category “C”. The rules for issuing such a visa require the collection and provision of certain information about the inviting party. The corresponding visa to Latvia by invitation is issued subject to the availability of this information in the package of documents for submission.

Applying for a visa to Latvia by invitation

If a visa to Latvia is issued by invitation, then you must attach a copy of the invitation letter. The invitation must be issued either at the consulate or certified by a notary. The document must contain detailed information about both the resident of the country and the guest, that is, about the one who receives Schengen.

Arranging a guest visit requires that the inviting party not only knows his guest by name and the date of his arrival, but that a resident of the country can realistically and coherently explain why he is inviting the person to visit. Moreover, when a person receiving an entry permit visits the consulate, his story must coincide with the version of the inviter. The invitation can only be conveyed personally, from hand to hand.

Now it’s worth taking a closer look at what is needed to obtain a transit visa.

Transit is requested quite rarely, and only if a citizen for some reason is not allowed to enter the Schengen zone, and a transfer must be made at a specific place. Then you need to add a route confirmed by the availability of tickets to the regular list.

National requires a wider range of documents, namely:

• In addition to the above, you need to fill out a form specifically for a work entry permit. You can get it at the consulate;
• you will need two standard photographs;
• international passport;
• general passport;
• a medical certificate indicating that the potential employee does not have chronic, dangerous or viral diseases. As well as standard medical insurance;
• the financial status must be reflected in the bank statement and prove that until the first payment the person has the means to live in the country. You can also present a letter of guarantee from the employer that he will bear all costs associated with the arrival and accommodation of the employee he needs;
• original employment contract with the Latvian employer.

If the move is planned with the entire family, then this must be indicated, and separate forms are given for the family to fill out.

But it is worth noting that if the work does not require constant presence, then the consulate will limit itself to issuing a regular long-term permit, instead of a national one. So, to prevent problems when issuing the required document, you must be careful when filling out personal information regarding the nature of the work and when signing the contract.

Transit

There are cases when a Russian citizen only makes a transfer through a Latvian international airport and flies on. There are two possible options here. In the first, a visa is not required, but in the second, you will still need to obtain the appropriate transit permit in advance.

If a transfer at a Latvian airport is made without leaving the international zone or a person flies further to any Schengen state, then in this case a visa to Latvia for Russians in 2021, as before, is not required.

If the Latvian airport is used for transfer to a non-Schengen state in Europe or another continent, then a transit visa will be required, which also belongs to category “C”. According to all the rules, it must be obtained in Russia.

Required documents

The list of documents for a visa to Latvia is almost the same for all Schengen countries. There are, of course, minor differences or new nuances, but the main points are spelled out in the relevant EU directives. There are main and additional lists. All applicants pass the main one, and the submission of additional papers is tied to the purpose of the visit. For example, to obtain a visa to Latvia by invitation, you need not only an invitation, but also certain guarantees from the inviting party.

The main and additional documents for submission, as well as the requirements for them, are discussed in more detail below.

The main list of documents for any visa to Latvia:

1. The visa application form, which is first filled out electronically and then printed, is signed in the required places;
2. A passport issued no more than ten years ago with at least two blank pages, valid for three months after the expiration of the requested visa;
3. One color photo measuring 35 by 45 mm;
4. Photocopies of the first two pages of the Russian passport. Residents of St. Petersburg and the region, Veliky Novgorod and the region, the Arkhangelsk region, the Republic of Karelia and the Murmansk region are subject to the requirement to provide photocopies of the first four pages of the Russian passport;
5. Health insurance policy with a minimum coverage limit of 30,000 euros;
6. Agreement on the use of visa center services;
7. Documents that can confirm the availability of finances for the entire duration of the trip to the Republic of Latvia: a document that shows the presence of regular income, a certificate from work, an extract or certificate of the presence of a bank account from a bank, which shows the movement of funds over the last three months, a sponsorship letter from a person who is ready to act as a sponsor and pay for the trip with confirmation of his income;
   

   You must be prepared to show that you have at least 14 euros for one day per person.

8. Air tickets (or tickets for other transport) with a fixed date of departure from Latvia.

The Latvian Embassy does not have any requirements for providing old foreign passports or visas.

Below are additional lists of travel purposes.

Tourists will need to provide:

1. Reservation from a hotel;
2. If a Russian travels in his own car (that is, tickets with a fixed return date are not provided), then the following will be required: a copy of the driver’s license, a copy of the vehicle registration certificate, a description of the travel route made by the person driving the car.

Applying for a visa to Latvia at the invitation of relatives/friends, that is, for personal purposes, occurs after providing the following additional documents:

1. An original invitation from a citizen of Latvia, or an EU citizen, or a person with a residence permit status, which must first be certified by the signature of a Latvian notary;
2. Number of the invitation, which is also pre-certified by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Latvia;
3. Marriage certificate (if any), as well as information about the marital status of a Latvian citizen from the register of residents of Latvia;
4. Documents confirming relationship (if any).

Participants of exchange programs/official events of any kind/visitors of short-term courses, etc.:

1. The original invitation from an authorized organization, where you must indicate the last name, first name, other details of the invitee, as well as information about the inviter;
2. Number of the invitation, which is also pre-certified by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Latvia;
3. If the inviting party does not accept expenses, then confirmation of the place of residence is needed: a reservation from a hotel or inn, an apartment rental agreement, financial guarantees in the form of a bank statement or work certificate, and so on.

For business trips/travels you must provide:

1. An invitation from the Latvian side indicating the purpose of the visit;
2. A certificate from the place of employment indicating the position held.

For officials/members of official delegations:

1. Documents capable of confirming the status of an official;
2. Invitation from an authorized organization.

For journalists:

1. Journalist ID;
2. A letter from the employer, in which you need to indicate and confirm the purpose of the trip.

To ethnic Latvians/Livonians, as well as members of their families:

1. A copy of the birth certificate with the names of the parents, which shows that at least one is Latvian/Liv;
2. For spouses and children, you must show documents confirming your relationship.

For property owners:

1. An extract from the land register, which is not older than two years.

Documents for a national visa

To obtain a National D visa, you must have compelling reasons and be prepared to demonstrate your nonimmigrant intent. Depending on the purpose, all documents from the educational institution, employer, financial guarantees for the period of stay in the state, information about the place of residence, as well as guarantees of return to Russia are provided. A more complete list can be found on the website of the Latvian Embassy or consulted at the Consular Section.

Photo of national visa to Latvia

Requirements for the application form

The application form for a visa to Latvia is first filled out electronically on the Embassy website. Each questionnaire is assigned an individual barcode. Next, it must be printed, signed in the required places and attached to all other documents for submission. For minor children, parents/legal guardians must sign the form. The corresponding application form for a visa to Latvia must be filled out according to the instructions posted on the Embassy website.

Photo requirements

The photograph must meet the following criteria:

• Size 35 by 45 mm;
• Not old, that is, made less than six months ago;
• Printed on good quality paper, color;
• Made on a light or white background, front view;
• You can be photographed wearing clear, thin-framed glasses.

Requirements for a medical policy

The policy issued by insurance companies for the purpose of traveling to Latvia must also meet certain criteria:

• The coverage area is absolutely the entire territory of the Schengen area;
• The policy must be able to cover the costs of emergency medical care, transportation, and treatment of critical conditions in hospitals;
• The coverage limit must be at least 30,000 euros;
• The validity period of the policy must completely cover the travel dates plus another 15 days.

To travel to Latvia, Russians need a passport!

Latvia is a popular tourism destination among Russians. Some people have relatives and friends living there; for others, a trip to Riga or Jurmala brings back pleasant memories from the times when the USSR existed. But now Latvia is a foreign country, and a foreign passport is required to travel.

To Latvia according to the rules

In 2004, Latvia joined the European Union. After this event, the question arose whether Russians needed a foreign passport to Latvia. A foreign passport is required to travel to the country. The passport is valid for at least 3 months from the end of the trip to Latvia. You can use an old or new passport. The biometric contains all the information and will allow you to find out the visa history of the owner. From 2021, when applying for a new type of international passport, you will need to undergo fingerprinting; only children under 12 years of age are exempt from it.

You can get to the Baltics by bus, car, plane or train. But to enter you need a Schengen visa, because... Since 2007, Latvia has been a member of the Schengen agreement.

What visa is needed

There are 3 types of visas to enter Latvia:

• continental;
• Schengen;
• transit.

A transit card is issued for passengers who are passing through the country and is issued for 24 hours. A continental card can be issued for up to 6 months and gives the right to stay in Latvia and visit other Schengen countries. But the most popular is the Schengen visa. A single-entry visa is valid for 90 days, a multiple-entry visa is issued for 180 days.

To obtain an entry permit, you must visit the Latvian Embassy and submit a package of documents:

1. Completed application form for a visa to Latvia. Data must be entered in all fields; the information must be accurate. Inconsistency of personal data may lead to refusal to issue a visa. The name is filled out in 2 languages: Russian and English. The questions require “Yes” or “No” answers.
2. International passport with blank pages (minimum 2) for filling out at customs.
3. Russian Federation passport.
4. Photos (2 pcs.).
5. Selection of insurance.
6. Confirmation that the hotel has been booked.
7. Transport documents.
8. Documents confirming solvency.
9. Paid state duty.

To speed up the registration procedure, you can send the application form electronically on the website of the Latvian Embassy.

To obtain a Latvian visa for a minor child, you must submit:

• a form to be filled out by the child’s legal representatives, attaching a photograph of the minor;
• international passport;
• birth certificate or Russian passport;
• paid state duty, children under 6 years old are exempt from paying;
• health insurance;
• documents about the financial status of the child’s parents or guardians.

A child over the age of 14 can cross the Latvian border unaccompanied by an adult. To do this, you will need to provide a notarized permission from both parents, which indicates who will accompany the child after crossing the border. A child's international passport is a prerequisite for travel.

If a child crosses the border with one of the parents, then a notarized permission will be required from the other parent. An exception is if one of the parents is absent, then a supporting document is required (death certificate, court decision)

Registration of documents for a child takes up to 10 days.

You can obtain a visa yourself without going through intermediaries. To do this you need:

• book a hotel in Latvia, request documents confirming the reservation;
• buy round trip tickets;
• prepare the required documents (make copies);
• pay the state fee;
• fill out the form online, send and print it;
• submit documents to the Latvian Embassy;
• get a visa in 10 days.

customs control

When passing through customs control, you must present your luggage for inspection. Customs officers determine whether there are items prohibited from being imported into the country. The value of personal belongings imported by a foreigner must not exceed 300 euros; for children the amount is 200 euros.

This cost does not include medications, cigarettes and alcohol (according to regulations), and personal belongings of the passenger.

Limits for the import of alcohol and tobacco:

• if you travel by plane, you can bring 250 g of tobacco, which is equal to 200 cigarettes;
• when entering by road or train, the amount is reduced to 50 g of tobacco and 40 cigarettes;
• alcohol with a strength of more than 22% - up to 1 liter;
• wine and alcohol with a strength of less than 22% - up to 4 l;
• beer - 16 l.

Imports in excess of the standards must be documented in a customs declaration and are subject to tax.

It is prohibited to import into Latvia:

• weapon;
• drugs;
• live plants;
• parrots;
• fruits.

If border crossing rules are violated, a person attempting to import undeclared goods may be subject to a fine.

What other documents may be required

When traveling to the Schengen area, take with you copies of all documents required to obtain a visa. The visa does not grant unfettered entry and entry, and documents may be required at any stage to demonstrate solvency or the purpose of the visit.

A job invitation will be required for those who plan to earn money in the Baltics.

If the trip is not a tourist trip, but an individual one (to relatives or friends), then to obtain a visa you must submit a document to the Latvian consulate. This can be a notarized invitation or an invitation written at the Latvian Embassy.

Participants in sports competitions will need an original written invitation. Schoolchildren and exchange students must provide confirmation of admission from the educational institution at whose base the travelers are arriving.

If the purpose of the trip is to visit the burial of a relative, they will ask for documents confirming the presence of a grave and proving family ties.

To visit a seriously ill relative or in the event of his death, documents confirming this fact are required. This may be a document signed by the attending physician, a death certificate and documents confirming relationship.

Visa for a child

For children, the same documents for a visa to Latvia are issued as for adults. If the child does not have his own passport, then a visa is issued to him provided that he is included in the passport of the mother or father and his photograph is present there.

For children under 14 years of age, the form must be filled out by a parent/guardian; self-filling is possible only after reaching this age. A copy of a certificate confirming financial guarantees from the parents is attached to the package of documents for the child.

If a minor child intends to travel accompanied by one parent/guardian, then a notarized permission to travel will be required from the second. If a minor is traveling with third parties, then such permission is required from both parents/guardians, plus a copy of a valid Schengen visa and passport of the accompanying person will be required. Independent crossing of the Latvian border is possible only for children who have their own international passport, as well as permission to travel from both parents/guardians.

If the second parent is absent, then documents confirming this information are needed:

1. Death certificate of parent No. 2;
2. Current court decision on guardianship and so on.

Do I need a visa to Latvia to study?

A visa is required for study if the student intends to undertake full-time/part-time studies. If the course is held remotely, then the authorities may doubt the need to issue a long-term entry and residence permit, and limit themselves to a multiple visa.

To obtain a visa to Latvia for training, the Latvian side requires a similar kit as for a worker, but the employer’s contract changes to an agreement with the educational institution. Proof of financial solvency or a certificate certified by the educational institution about the possibility of paying a scholarship is also required.

The question remains open: “How to obtain an entry permit for a child for each type of trip?”

For children under 14 years of age there is a standard package of documents.

You can get a visa to Latvia for your child by providing the following documents:

• birth certificate;
• application form with photo. An example of filling out can be found on the consulate’s website;
• Foreign passport of parents or child. Before the child reaches the age of 14 and receives a passport, information about the child must be entered in the parents’ passport;
• The child must have separate medical insurance;
• photographs can be provided taken no later than six months;
• the financial side is shown by parents in a standard form;
• For a visa to Latvia, children over 6 years old must pay a state fee.

A visa to Latvia for a children's camp requires that the child travels with a group or an accompanying person. But this requires confirmation. It is necessary to take care in advance and give a third party a notarized permission to accompany the child. The permit must contain all the accompanying information.

The processing time for children's permits is 7-10 days.

Visa application methods

Applying for a visa to Latvia on your own through a visa center in Moscow is quite simple. The office of this visa center also operates in St. Petersburg, where residents of the North-Western region can apply.

There are branches of the visa center in other cities of the Russian Federation: Kazan, Krasnoyarsk, Kostroma, Voronezh, Vladivostok, Nizhny Novgorod, Krasnodar and so on. It is also possible to obtain a visa through Latvian representative offices located in different regions of the Russian Federation.

To obtain an entry permit through the Latvian visa center in Moscow and other cities, you need to follow a simple algorithm:

1. Fill out the electronic form, print it, sign it;
2. Collect all documents according to your purpose of visit;
3. Come to the visa center and submit your documents;
4. Go through the fingerprinting procedure;
5. Pay the consular fee and visa fee;
6. Wait for the decision and receive a passport with a visa stamp.

Who submits the application and receives a completed passport

A citizen can entrust the submission of papers and applications to a third party in the following cases:

• If the trip is planned by the whole family and the dates and purposes of the visit coincide, then one family member can submit papers for everyone;
• If a business trip is planned, then the applicant’s representative can submit documents using a notarized power of attorney on company letterhead with the signature and seal of the company;
• If a group travels to Latvia, then a representative of the group, with a power of attorney certified by a notary, can submit documents for everyone, provided that the dates and purposes of the trip coincide.

The following persons can collect a passport with a visa stamp:

• Applicant;
• Any other recipient, provided that his personal data is recorded in the delivery note and in the delivery form.

You can obtain a visa to Latvia yourself through the Embassy, ​​as well as through Consulates using the same scheme. The only difference is that you need to pre-register at the Embassy for a certain time to submit papers.

A national visa to Latvia cannot be issued through a visa center. For it you need to apply only to the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia or to the relevant Consulates in the regions.

Schengen visa for seafarers

A Schengen C visa for seafarers is issued if:

• the route involves entering a port or several ports of a Schengen state/states;
• The ship departs from the Schengen area.

If the applicant was issued a double-entry seafarer visa, Schengen as part of a sea crew can be visited 2 times. If a multiple visa is granted, you are allowed to cross the Schengen borders an unlimited number of times. The validity period of the visa can be from 1 to 5 years.

When requesting a maritime Schengen, it is important to find out which consular service to apply for. There are three options:

• the country on whose territory boarding the ship will take place;
• states of entry into the Schengen area, in the port of which boarding of the ship is also planned;
• power, on whose territory the largest number of stops is expected, a stop for several days, planned repairs or loading work.

To contact the consulate you will need certain documentation. The following documents are required for visas for seafarers:

1. Completed and signed application.
2. Color matte photo cards (3 pcs., 35 by 45 mm).
3. Originals and photocopies of passports (Russian, foreign, seaman’s identity cards).
4. Extract from the ship's role.
5. Letter from a naval agent. The document indicates the position and salary according to the contract, as well as the time of stay in the country.
6. A signed work contract (preferably).
7. A work invitation from the shipowner (required for those who plan to work on a ship of another country). The document specifies the basic personal information of the invitee and the date of arrival.
8. Receipt for payment of the consular fee (€35) and, if required, the service fee (from €19 to €35).

Although the Schengen visa for seafarers is the same in European countries, the requirements for visa papers in each country may vary slightly. Our specialists will help you avoid making mistakes with the submitted documents.

In general, maritime Schengen is issued in the same way as any other type of visa (for example, tourist). The main thing is to collect all the required papers and fill out the form correctly, with which our company employees will also help you.

Price

It should be noted that the Latvian visa center charges a certain amount of service fee for its services in addition to the cost of the consular fee. How much a visa costs will depend on its production time, type and will not depend on whether the document is a single entry or multiple entry.

Payment is accepted only in rubles. It is necessary to keep in mind that the price in rubles depends on the current euro exchange rate.

Validity

The Schengen Latvian visa “C” is valid for six months with an allocated permitted period of stay of 90 days. It can be single or double, in which the border can be crossed twice.

Persons who frequently visit Latvia can be given a multiple entry visa. It will give you the right to cross the border many times, but you can stay in Latvia for the same 90 days in a six-month period. The visa is marked with the number of days of stay allowed.

With a national visa “D” you can live in the country for 180 days throughout the year. If necessary, such a document can be extended.

Types of Latvian visas for Russians

Types of visas:

1. 
   Schengen multiple
   tourist visa. Allows you to visit EU countries once or multiple times (multiple visa is issued), with the ability to stay in the EU for 90 days. Issued to tourists for the purpose of visiting relatives, however, working and doing business with this type of permit is prohibited.

2. Transit. Issued if Latvia is not the final destination, but a transit “node”. When applying for it, the applicant has no right to leave the transit zone of the airport or the designated territory of the country. The period of stay in Latvia for this type of permit is 3 days.
3. National. Issued to students, participants of events taking place in the country, business travelers, etc. Allows you to stay in the country for the entire duration of its validity.

4. 
   Work visa to Latvia

   Working. This visa is needed if a Russian wants to legally work in any Latvian company. Issued for a year with the possibility of extension without limiting the number of entries.

Failure situations

Sometimes it happens that a Latvian visa may be refused. It should be remembered that it is not difficult to obtain a visa to Latvia on your own, you just need to avoid violations, submit false documents and strictly comply with all the requirements of visa legislation.

The risk of being left with a refusal stamp in your passport is high for people who are unable to confirm their financial stability - unemployed people or people without a regular income. There is also a risk of being refused if the Consulate staff suspects the applicant of intending to immigrate illegally.

conclusions

When applying for a Latvian visa on your own in Moscow, St. Petersburg, or any other city of the Russian Federation, the main thing is that the documents are in order and there have been no violations of the immigration regime during your stay in the Schengen countries in the past. It is also important to fill out the form correctly.

It is better not to use the services of dubious companies offering fake certificates, but to take, for example, a sponsorship letter from a relative who is ready to act as such a sponsor.

Each applicant has the right to appeal the refusal and submit documents again. In this case, all fees will be paid again.