Visit Latvia on a Latvia Tourist Visa. Learn the Latvia Tourist Visa Requirements.

Latvia is a major tourist destination in Europe. It’s a small country situated in the midst of Estonia and Lithuania. It’s one of the greenest countries in the world and is a great place to visit in all 4 seasons.

The best time to visit Latvia is in autumn. There are many more features of Latvia that make the country one of the most ideal destinations for tourism. Before we start to explore details about a Latvia tourist visa, let’s look at the major attractions and attractive features of the country.

• Riga is the capital of Latvia. It’s a major tourist spot in Latvia. It’s considered the crown jewel of Latvia.
• Riga is one of the prettiest cities in Europe. The city has oversized churches, impressive historic buildings, and cobbled streets.
• Riga has over 400 buildings built with Art Nouveau architecture. These buildings are still in excellent condition.
• Latvia is a country with many national parks. The most famous of those is the Gauja national park.
• The oldest tourist attraction in Latvia is the Gutmana caves. They are the highest and widest caves present in the Baltic region.
• Latvia is well-known for its unique and delectable cuisines like soups, kvass, and dark rye bread. Skābeņu zupa, Karbonade, and Aukstā zupa are other attractions in a variety of tasty food items.
• Latvia is home to the largest central market in Europe: Riga’s central market.
• Latvia has cheap and high-quality spas. ESPA Riga is an internationally reputed 5-star spa center in the Baltic states.
• There’s a lot to explore in the natural splendor offered by the country’s lush green forests. Close to 45% of Latvia is covered by forests.
• Latvia has beautiful beaches.
• Compared to other European countries, Latvia is quite affordable.
• Latvia is home to many splendorous castles. Best examples are Rundale Castle, Turaida Castle, Basuka Castle, Riga Castle, and Sigulda Castle.

How to obtain a Latvia tourist visa?

Since Latvia is an EU member nation, the ease of travel to this country is not any different from other countries in the EU including Schengen countries. No border controls are there unless at the borders it shares with Belarus and Russia.

Also, visitors who are nationals of countries including the following ones aren’t required to apply for a Latvia tourist visa:

The USA, Canada, Israel, Australia, Korea, Japan, Brazil, Hong Kong

Travelers from these countries can stay in Latvia for not more than 90 days within a time period of 180 days.

Also, citizens of the EU member states and countries namely Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein don’t need a visa to travel to Latvia.

Other nationals will need a Latvian Schengen visa to visit Latvia. This can be understood as the Latvia tourist visa. In fact, the Schengen visa issued for you to travel to Latvia can be used to stay in other Schengen countries.

If third-country national wants to enter a Schengen member state but has certain restrictions due to any circumstances to get a uniform visa valid for all Schengen states, such traveler will be issued a visa limited to Latvia.

Applying for the Latvia tourist visa

Here are the general requirements for documents if you are applying for a Latvian Schengen visa:

Latvia tourist visa requirements

• A fully filled out an online application form for a Latvia tourist visa
• 2 photos – each photo has to be of passport format and must have a recent whole-face captured and the background must be light in shade
• Your passport as well as copies of your previous visas (passport must be valid for a minimum period of 3 months from the return date) – Your passport needs to have a minimum of 2 blank pages
• Confirmation of Europe Travel insurance with minimum coverage of €30,000 within Latvia as well as the entire Schengen zone
• A cover letter that states the purpose for which you are traveling to Latvia
• The itinerary of your trip to Latvia
• Your flight Itinerary that shows entry and exit dates from Latvia, with flight numbers included
• Proof of hotel reservation for the whole period of time you intend to stay in the Republic of Latvia
• Proof of civil status (birth certificate of children, ration card, marriage certificate, and death certificate of spouse if applicable)
• Proof that you have sufficient financial means to meet your expenses while you stay in Latvia.

If you are visiting for employment, you need to also submit:

• Employment contract
• No-objection certificate from employer
• Current bank statement for the last 6 months
• ITR (Income Tax Return) form or Income Tax Certificate deducted at the salary source

If you are visiting as self-employed, you need to also submit:

• A copy of your business license
• ITR (Income Tax Return)
• Bank statement of the company for the last 6 months

If you are visiting as a student, you need to also submit

• Proof of enrollment
• Letter of leave approval from your school/university

IF YOU ARE VISITING AS A RETIRED PERSON, YOU NEED TO ALSO SUBMIT:

• Pension statement for the last 6 months

ALSO, WHEREVER APPLICABLE, SUBMIT THE PROOF OF REGULAR INCOME GENERATED BY PROPERTY FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS.

Additional documents that are required for Latvia visit visa for specific purposes

Latvian Tourist Visa

• Invitation letter from your friends/family in Latvia with details like address and phone number (wherever applicable)
• Copies of your passport
• Bank statement for the last 6 months

Latvian Schengen Visa for Medical Purposes

• A local medical report
• Receipt of payment of medical fees
• A medical attestation issued by the doctor/hospital in Latvia, that confirms your appointment date and your medical situation

Latvian Schengen Visa for Business Purposes:

• A letter of invitation from the Latvian company that you are going to visit and their address in detail along with your visit dates
• A certificate issued by your employer allowing/stating your business travel
• Proof of any instances of previous trade relations between the two companies
• Bank statement of the business for the last 6 months
• Original certified copies of Memorandum and Article of Association (of business that has registration with joint-stock companies), Proprietorship/Partnership documents, and Trade License (the one issued first and the latest renewed)
• Letter/invitation from the employer/partner stating the coverage of expenses with regard to the expenses of the applicant while you are staying in the Schengen zone

Latvian Schengen Visa for Study, Research, Training, or any other type of internship purposes

• A certificate of enrollment that allows attendance of courses
• Financial sustenance
• Completion certificate or certificate of courses attended

Latvian Schengen Visa for the Husband/Wife of a citizen of Latvia

• Proof of Latvian citizenship
• Latvian family record book
• Latvian marriage certificate