Is it possible to get to Latvia now: features of crossing borders in 2021

Types of visas to Latvia

• Transit

  Needed for flights that involve a long layover in one of the EU countries. Having issued this type of visa, the traveler will be able to stay in the transit zone of the airport, but for no more than 3 days without the right to exit (type A) or with the right to leave this zone (type B).

• Tourist

  Gives the right to single or multiple visits to EU countries for a period of no more than 90 days. Having received such a visa, the tourist will be able to travel freely throughout the Schengen zone with the condition that he will stay in the country that issued the document for a longer period of time.

• National

  Allows you to stay in the territory of the country that issued the document for the entire duration of the visa. That is, there is no limit of 90 days. This visa is issued to citizens of a foreign country who wish to obtain an education, go on a business trip, participate in sports or cultural events, or wish to reunite with family living abroad.

• Working

  If a Russian wants to get a legal job in a Latvian company or open his own business, then he needs a work visa. The document is issued for a period of 1 year and does not limit the number of entries and exits from the country.

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Do I need a visa to Riga?

Anyone wishing to visit this country, including Russians, will need to apply for a Schengen visa. It does not need to be opened only to EU citizens, who can move freely within the Schengen area using travel documents from one of the EU countries.

You can apply for a visa in 2 ways:

• Provide the required package of documents to the Consulate yourself.
• Use the services of a visa center, which helps the traveler at the stages of: processing documents, collecting them, checking them, delivering them to the Latvian Consulate and issuing a visa to the holder.

The first option implies a certain responsibility and possible risks when submitting documents independently. After all, something can be missed or prepared incorrectly. But if a person is well versed in visa issues, or this is not the first time he has applied for a visa without outside help, then this option is appropriate.

Procedure for applying for a visa yourself:

1. Collection of necessary documents.
2. Filling out a visa application form, indicating the place of issue of the passport.
3. Purchasing air tickets.
4. Registration of health insurance.
5. Booking a hotel room.
6. Payment of state duty.

If a visa is issued through the applicant’s application to a visa center, then he can be sure that he will receive qualified assistance at all stages of preparing and submitting documents for a visa. It is convenient to use this option if you want to save your time and have no experience in submitting documents for a visa on your own. However, it is worth remembering that in addition to the consular fee, the applicant will also need to pay for the services of the visa center, which will affect the cost of obtaining a foreign passport and visa.

List of documents

The standard list of documents for a visa to Latvia for all foreigners includes:

• International passport.
• Medical insurance.

• A completed application form.
• 2 photos, size 3.5x4.5.
• Birth certificate of children (for minors);
• National passport.
• Air or train tickets, both ways.

If you plan to travel by car, then instead of plane or train tickets, you will need to provide documents for the car and driver's license, as well as the travel route.

How to apply for a visa to Latvia on your own?

Applying for a visa on your own is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. Before submitting an application, you must fill out an application form, collect a package of documents, book a hotel and buy train or plane tickets.

Via Visa Application Center

To submit documents using this method, you must contact the visa center of the Republic of Latvia within three months before the start of your trip. Organizations work full time, so you can come there at any convenient time. Applications are submitted on an electronic basis. Therefore, the first thing to do is take a ticket and wait to be accepted. After this, all that remains is to hand over the set of documents to a center employee for verification.

Via the consulate

Obtaining a visa through the embassy is different in that it requires an appointment in advance. Only citizens of Latvia who are in the territory of the Russian Federation or citizens of other countries in the event of an emergency with relatives living in Latvia can do without it. Other categories of citizens must make an appointment by phone. Please note that documents are accepted and visas are issued at different times. You can submit your application from 9 to 12 am, and pick up your completed passport from 3 to 4 pm.

Via Pony Express

Only short-term tourist visas can be obtained through Pony Express. The company delivers documents from the applicant to the consulate and back. Which can be convenient if there is no way to hand over the papers in person. It is enough to collect a set of necessary documents and hand them over to the company’s employees. The cost of such a service will cost 20 euros for residents of Moscow and 30 euros for the regions.

Applying for a visa by invitation

If you are traveling to Latvia by invitation, then, in addition to the above documents, you need to provide the number of the invitation letter, which the receiving party must issue at the embassy or consulate, or with a notary. The invitation, in addition to data concerning the party being received, must contain information about the invitee, that is, about you, namely:

1. FULL NAME.;
2. Date of Birth;
3. Place of Birth;
4. Place (address) of residence;
5. Citizenship;
6. Purpose of your visit;
7. Your place of residence at the time of your stay in Latvia;
8. Length of stay in Latvia;
9. Place to submit your visa application package.

Therefore, in order for the person who is going to invite you to formalize everything correctly, you will need to discuss all these points with him in advance. Please note that the purpose of your visit must be realistic. This will reduce the possibility of visa refusal to a minimum. The invitation itself is not sent by mail or in any other way. When the inviting party draws up this document, all data is entered into the system to which your embassy has direct access. You just need to indicate the invitation number, and the guest visa will be in your hands.

Advice: issue an invitation in advance, as it is valid only for 6 months. The visa itself is issued for the period specified in the invitation.

Documents for visa

Basic package

1. International passport.
2. Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation.
3. Certificate from the place of current employment indicating income. For students - a certificate from the educational institution.
4. Bank account statement or sponsorship letter.
5. Medical insurance.
6. Certificate of payment of duty.
7. A completed application form.
8. Signed permission to process data.
9. 2 photos.

Important! The validity of the passport must expire no earlier than 3 months after the expiration of the visa. That is, if you plan to get a visa for 6 months, then your passport must be valid for at least another 9 months.

Visa documents for children

• Birth certificate (original and copy).
• Consent from the parent who is not accompanying the child during the trip (the document must be certified by a notary).
• If a child is traveling with a person who is not one of his parents, then a power of attorney (which must also be certified by a notary) is issued in the name of this person.
• A form filled out in the child's name.
• From 14 years old: civil and foreign passports.
• The main package of documents of a parent or other adult.

Reference! Visas for children under 14 years of age are affixed to the passport of the adult accompanying person.

Additional documents when entering by car

• International driving license.
• Vehicle registration certificate.
• Application describing the route.
• Diagnostic card.
• Civil liability insurance (Green Card).

Additional documents for different types of visas

Tourist:

• Documents confirming hotel reservations and tickets for the duration of the trip (printout of web pages or confirmation emails).

Transit:

• Documents confirming further departure to the destination country: visa and route description.
• Hotel reservation.
• Tickets.

National:

• A written invitation to an event in which the applicant is a participant.
• A written invitation from a close relative and a document confirming the relationship (for example, a birth or marriage certificate).
• A written invitation from the host educational institution, a certificate confirming attendance at the courses and a student ID.

Reference! The set of documents depends on the purpose of visiting Latvia.

Working:

• A written invitation from the host party signed by an official.
• A copy or original of the employment contract.

Entry rules to Latvia

When crossing the Latvian border you must provide:

• A foreign passport valid for 3 months after the end of the trip.
• Return air tickets or their reservation.
• Hotel reservation (hotel, apartment, hostel) or tourist voucher.
• Confirmation of financial solvency: cash, bank cards.
• Medical insurance.

Crossing the border with children

• The child’s own foreign passport is valid for 3 months after the end of the trip. Crossing the border with a child based on the entry about him in the parent’s passport is not allowed.
• Original or copy of birth certificate with an insert or stamp indicating Russian citizenship (children under 14 years old).

Importing things across the border

When passing through customs, the following goods must be declared:

• Intended not for personal use (for commercial purposes).
• Purchased outside the European Union and exceeding the maximum quantity not subject to customs duties (in the amount of more than 430 euros per person).
• The import of which is prohibited or limited (alcohol, tobacco, food).
• Cash in the amount of 10,000 euros or more.
• Plants, plant products, wood, planting material, soil and compost imported from non-EU countries are subject to inspection by the plant protection service.

Additional information about the rules for transporting things can be found on the Latvian tourism portal.

Application form for a visa to Latvia

can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia. The form must be filled out completely and only accurate information must be included. Otherwise, it may result in refusal.

Note! There is a separate application form for each type of visa.

The document consists of 37 points. Each of which should be answered “yes”, “no”, or indicate other information contained in the question. Personal data is indicated in accordance with the international passport. The applicant's personal signature is placed at the end of the form. For children under 18 years old, parents or official guardians sign.

You can fill out the form either electronically or by hand by printing the form. Once the form is ready, you need to print it out, date it and sign it.

A sample application form can be downloaded here.

Requirements for the application form

For foreign citizens, first of all, you need to take care of filling out the application form. It is definitely needed, but it is important to remember that you need to look for it yourself on the Internet on the website of the consulate or embassy of Latvia.

Sample of filling out an application form for obtaining a visa to Riga

In some cities where Latvian representative offices are located, it is possible to take a questionnaire directly from the organization’s employees. The questionnaire is presented in electronic form on Internet resources. To fill it out, you must first print it out from beginning to end, then fill it out in block letters. You can also fill it out electronically, but it will take a little longer.

Particular attention should be paid to the presence of your own signature in paragraph thirty-seven. It is mandatory. Without it, the document will not be accepted at the consulate.

If a trip with children is planned, then one of the parents is given the opportunity to fill out the application form. The signature is placed by the person who completed the filling. Also, the application form must include a photo of the child. The state government notes that the form must be filled out in one of two languages. A person can choose between English and Latvian languages.

Government building in Latvia

The application form consists of four pages. It is very important that all information filled out is truthful and reliable. If the consulate staff discovers that the information is unreliable, the person will be denied a Schengen visa.

Photo for a visa to Latvia: requirements

• Size: 45x35 mm.
• Background: light gray or white.
• Face height: 32–36 mm.
• Distance from the top edge of the image to the head: 6-8 mm.
• Head position: full face.
• Surface: glossy or matte.
• Duration: no more than 6 months.
• Photo quality: color, clear, contrast, printed on good paper.
• Additionally: natural facial expression, without expressed expression of emotions; photographs should not be processed in graphic editors; no scratches or abrasions on the surface of the image; absence of a white corner and oval.
• Not allowed: hats; Sunglasses; hairstyle that covers the face; look to the side.

Attention! The presence of glasses is allowed if a person wears them on a regular basis. At the same time, neither the frame nor the glare from the glass should hide the eyes.

Confirmation of financial solvency

A citizen traveling to Latvia must independently ensure that during the trip there is enough money to cover the minimum expenses: accommodation, food and transport. To confirm that there are enough funds to stay in the country, it is necessary to submit additional certificates. Namely: an extract from a personal account for three months and a certificate of the amount of permanent income.

If the trip is carried out at the expense of the sponsor, then he will need to provide proof of his income, a letter of guarantee and a copy of the first two pages of his civil passport.

Attention! To determine the minimum amount that should be on your balance, you should proceed from the calculation of 14 euros per day. If the trip lasts more than 30 days, then you must have 430 euros (minimum wage in Latvia). And if a work visa is issued, the amount increases to 926 euros for each month of stay.

Document requirements

The main document is a foreign passport. It has special requirements, such as:

1. Availability of free pages for stamping. There must be at least two of them.
2. Reality and authenticity.
3. The expiration date is no earlier than three months after the end of the trip.

If you plan to travel with a child under fourteen years of age, the parents must have a corresponding entry in their foreign passport. But this is only necessary if the child does not have his own foreign passport. The photo should also be taken seriously. For a Schengen visa, you must prepare passport size photographs measuring 3.5 cm by 4.5 cm.

The background also plays an important role. It should be white or light gray. The photo should clearly show the person's face, head without a headdress and covered shoulders.

To travel to Riga you need medical insurance. It can be purchased directly in the Schengen zone. The amount of insurance coverage should not be less than thirty thousand euros. In this case, you should pay attention to its validity period. She should be active for another two weeks after the end of the trip. For foreign representatives, including Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians, you need to take care of booking a hotel room in advance. In addition, the consulate may require hotel details in Riga, so you also need to find out these in advance.

Gutenbergs Hotel building in Riga

You can book a room yourself via the Internet or use the services of travel agencies. The exception is booking.com.

The Latvian Consulate, having seen a reservation using this site, may refuse to accept the confirmation voucher without reason. An important document is also a certificate of a person’s financial condition. As this document, you can provide an extract from your job or bank.

Biometric data

Biometrics involves scanning fingerprints and a digital photograph of the face. You can go through the procedure at a visa center or the Latvian consulate. Fingerprinting (taking fingerprints) takes a few minutes and is carried out using digital technology, without coloring powders. The received data is sent for storage to the Unified Visa Information System. Biometric information remains valid for 5 years. This means that you will not have to repeat this procedure every time you apply for a visa.

Attention! Providing biometric data has been a requirement for obtaining a visa since 2015.

Biometrics

Obtaining a visa to Latvia is impossible without providing biometric data - fingerprints and digital photographs. Free biometrics during the submission of documents is done at the Embassy/Consulates of Latvia, visa centers and regional offices of Pony Express. Biometric data is stored in a single Schengen-wide Visa Information System (VIS) and is valid for 5 years. There is no need to undergo the procedure again during this period.

Minor children under 12 years of age and people with hand injuries that make fingerprinting impossible are exempt from submitting fingerprints.

Valid term of a visa

A tourist visa is issued for a specific period. This could be a month, six months, a year or even 5 years. The day the entry permit is issued is not equal to the beginning of its validity. As a rule, the visa becomes valid shortly before the start of the trip, according to the accompanying documents (tickets).

It is important to pay attention to what type of visa was issued: single-entry, double-entry or multi-entry. This determines how many times during the validity of one visa you can enter the territory of the Schengen zone. For example, if you received a multi-visa for six months, then during this time you will be able to enter the specified territory an unlimited number of times. But if the visa turns out to be a one-time visa, then there can be only one trip. Moreover, if you went to Latvia, for example, for a week, then it will no longer be possible to use the visa for the remaining period of its validity.

The exact expiration date is indicated in the passport on the page with the valid visa. Whatever type of visa you receive, you must leave the country of residence strictly before its expiration date.

Other types of visas also have time limits. In any case, you can stay on the territory of a foreign state only within the time limits specified by the issued document. If during your trip to Latvia you decide to change the validity period or type of visa, you must return to Russia and resubmit the documents.

Why are visas denied?

The Schengen visa is considered one of the most difficult to obtain, since the member countries of the European agreement are attentive to the issue of ensuring the security of their territory. The Latvian consulate was no exception, so any suspicions that arise during communication with the candidate may cause a refusal.

When submitting entry documents, it is important to confidently and truthfully answer questions from the Latvian mission staff and provide any additional information that may be required at the discretion of the visa specialist.

Reasons for a negative visa decision may include:

• Visa violations. If during your previous trips to Europe you allowed yourself to stay in the country longer or otherwise violated the requirements of the visa code, then the data about this is stored in a common database, so you will most likely be denied Schengen when you apply again.
• Financial insolvency. Even if you are unemployed, a bank account with sufficient funds is sufficient grounds for obtaining a visa pass. If you do not have the required amount, then entry into Europe will not be available to you.
• No reason to return to Russia. Illegal migration is a serious problem for the authorities of European countries, therefore, when issuing visa permits, special attention is paid to the social guarantees of the candidate (availability of work, registration, private property, marriage, etc.). If you are not married, do not work or study, then the risk of staying in Russia increases significantly.

If the answer to a visa request is negative, an alphanumeric stamp is entered into the foreign passport, in which the letter is the visa category and the number is the reason for the refusal:

• A-1, B-1, C-1, D-1. Visa denied. Such a decision by the consulate may be accompanied by the introduction of quarantine for up to 1 year. The extreme measure is often due to the identified facts of administrative offenses committed by the candidate in the Schengen area during previous trips. Violations of the visa code can also be a reason for refusal under this code.
• A-2, B-2, C-2, D-2. The candidate is called for an additional interview. In the absence of a clear justification for the purpose of the trip, the travel route, or if errors and inconsistencies are identified in the visa application form, the applicant may be summoned to the consulate for clarification. A code with the number 2 is not an absolute refusal - after an interview with the consul, you will be able to receive entry permission if your answers completely satisfy the specialist. If you are not called for an interview, the reason for the refusal may be the lack of hotel reservations or air tickets.
• A-3, B-3, C-3, D-3. There are not enough certificates in the package of documents. Even if you have provided all the papers as listed, consular officers may request any additional documents, which should be submitted for verification as quickly as possible. The reason for refusal in this case may be expired certificates.
• A-4, B-4, C-4, D-4. Permanent refusal. A rare category of refusals is due to serious offenses committed during previous trips to the Schengen area.

If you receive a refusal, it is recommended to correct the shortcomings found in the application form and documents (in accordance with the recommendations mentioned in the cover letter from the consulate) and resubmit your visa request. When contacting the Latvian representative office, you should not hide the fact of refusal.

How much does a visa to Latvia cost in 2020?

The mandatory consular fee for Russian citizens is 35 euros. For residents of the CIS countries – 60 euros. An urgent visa to Latvia will cost 70 euros.

Attention! The cost of the state fee is indicated in euros, but is paid in rubles, according to the current exchange rate.

Consular fee

The consular fee is a payment for the reception and consideration of your application. The following are exempt from paying contributions:

Children under 6 years old;
• Students and accompanying teachers traveling to the EU for the purpose of education;
• Researchers whose purpose of stay is scientific research;
• Representatives of non-profit organizations under 25 years of age visiting the EU to participate in sports, cultural, and educational events;
• Citizens holding diplomatic or service passports;
• Relatives of citizens of the Republic of Latvia;
• Disabled people and their accompanying persons.

Applying for a visa for a child

Those who need to obtain a visa to Latvia for a minor child should take care of the following documents:

• An application form with a photograph of the child, which is filled out and signed by parents or guardians (in the 10th paragraph of the form you should indicate the details of one of the parents or guardians);
• Birth certificate;
• Civil and foreign passports, if the child is already 14 years old. If the child has not yet reached this age and will travel using the parent’s international passport, information about the child must be entered into this document and his photo must be pasted in;
• Two photographs taken maximum six months before the paperwork;
• Medical insurance policy for an amount of at least 30 thousand euros;
• A document indicating the availability of an acceptable amount of funds. A bank statement for the last three months or a certificate from the place of work of one of the parents or guardians, indicating the amount of salary, is sufficient;
• A document confirming payment of the state fee. Regardless of what age a child is issued with a visa to Latvia, the price remains the same. The exception is children under 6 years of age, for whom a visa is issued free of charge.

If a minor child is traveling unaccompanied by adults, it is necessary, in addition to the above documents, to provide:

1. Notarized permission from both parents. It must contain information about the person who will be responsible for the child on Latvian territory;
2. In this case, the child must have his own passport. This means that only children over 14 years old can travel unaccompanied by adults;
3. Notarized permission from both parents, allowing the child to cross the border independently.

If the child is accompanied by one parent, provide a notarized permission from the other parent to take the child abroad. If there is no second parent, then, depending on the situation, you will need either a death certificate of the 2nd parent, a court decision on guardianship, or a certificate of guardianship from the Orphan's court. The processing time for a child visa is from 7 to 10 days.

What to do in case of refusal?

1. A citizen who has been denied a visa has the right to appeal. The document must be addressed to the country that did not issue the entry permit.
2. It is also possible to reapply for a visa. If the causes of failure are known, they must be eliminated or minimized. Then the chance of a positive answer will increase.

Any citizen of the Russian Federation can obtain a visa to Latvia. The main thing is to carefully consider the collection of documents. Papers are accepted by a large network of visa centers and the country's consulate. If you do everything yourself, and not through a travel agency, you can significantly save on the services of intermediaries.

Where to apply for a visa

Since the fall of 2021, the acceptance of documents from travel agencies for visa applications has been suspended. Diplomats took this step because almost all visa applicants apply for entry permits on their own. It's easier, faster and more economical.

Via Visa Application Center

There is no need to make an appointment at the Latvian visa center in advance. The employee first briefly checks the presented documents and gives an electronic queue coupon.

If the kit does not include a questionnaire in English or a photo, then here you can supplement the folder of papers with them. Next, biometric data is accepted according to the electronic coupon number. Only then comes payment;

Via the consulate

Applications for any visa can be submitted to Latvian missions. But the package of documents for Schengen can only be left after registering in advance. This can be done online or by calling the consulate.

Without an appointment, only a limited number of citizens are accepted, including Latvians and ethnic Livs, as well as relatives of seriously ill or deceased Latvian citizens.

To submit biometric data, adults and children over 12 years old must come to the diplomatic mission;

Through the embassy

You can contact the Latvian Embassy directly. It is in Moscow.

The building of the Latvian Embassy in Moscow

Consulates are located in Pskov, Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg.

Embassy of Latvia in Moscow:

• Address: Chaplygina street, building 3;
• Telephone for communication;
• Opening hours: weekdays from 9:00 to 12:00.