Latvia Visa

Schengen Application Form

Completed, printed, and signed by the applicant. The form is typically completed online before the appointment. Parents or legal guardians must sign on behalf of minors.

Valid Passport

Must be valid 3 months beyond your intended date of departure from the Schengen area; must have been issued within the last 10 years; must contain at least 2 blank pages.

Passport Photos

One recent (6 months maximum), $35 \times 45 \text{ mm}$, color photo meeting standard Schengen photo specifications, against a white or light gray background.

Travel Medical Insurance

Valid throughout the entire Schengen area; minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies, urgent hospital treatment, and repatriation costs, including in the event of death.

Proof of Travel (Itinerary)

Confirmed round-trip flight reservations and a detailed travel plan covering all destinations and stays within Latvia and the broader Schengen area.

Proof of Accommodation

Confirmed hotel or hostel bookings for the full duration of the stay. If staying with a host, an invitation approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of Latvia (OCMA) is required.

Proof of Financial Means

Original bank statements (for the last 3-6 months, stamped by the bank) proving sufficient funds. The required minimum is €14 per person per day for stays up to 30 days. For stays exceeding 30 days, the minimum is €740 per month (Latvia’s minimum wage).

Proof of Employment / Ties to Home Country

A signed letter from your employer (on company letterhead, stating position, salary, and approved leave dates), business registration documents if self-employed, or a recent certificate of enrolment from an educational institution.

Proof of Legal Residence (If Applicable)

Valid residence permit in your current country of residence (if you are not a national); this permit must be valid 3 months beyond your intended departure from the Schengen area.

Documents for Minors (Under 18)

Original Birth Certificate, a notarized Parental Consent letter from the non-travelling parent(s), and copies of both parents’ passports or IDs.

1. Major Cities & Famous Sites

• Riga (Capital city, Old Town (UNESCO), famous Art Nouveau architecture district (Alberta Iela), House of the Blackheads, Riga Cathedral)

• Jūrmala (Premier seaside resort town, known for its long white-sand beaches, charming wooden architecture, and Jomas Street promenade)

• Cēsis (One of Latvia’s best-preserved medieval towns, Cēsis Castle ruins, offers a rich history and cultural scene)

• Liepāja (Known as the “City where the wind is born,” unique Karosta military port district, great beach, historic churches)

• Kuldīga (Dubbed the “Venice of Latvia,” famous for the Venta Rapid, the widest natural waterfall in Europe, and picturesque old town)

• Daugavpils (Latvia’s second-largest city, Daugavpils Fortress (massive 19th-century fort), and Mark Rothko Art Centre)

2. National Parks & Natural Wonders

• Gauja National Park (The largest and oldest national park, often called the “Latvian Switzerland,” featuring the Gauja River Valley, hiking, and sandstone cliffs)

• Ķemeri National Park (Famous for its Great Ķemeri Bog Boardwalk, which allows visitors to walk across the unique wetland and observe bog lakes and flora)

• Cape Kolka (The dramatic meeting point of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga, a spectacular spot for birdwatching during migration seasons)

• Daugavas Loki Nature Park (Known for the scenic “Meanders of the Daugava” River, offering breathtaking river bends and kayaking opportunities in the Latgale region)

• Latgale Region (Land of Blue Lakes) (Eastern Latvia, characterized by countless serene lakes, unspoiled nature, and a unique local culture)

3. Castles & Historical Sites

• Rundāle Palace (Nicknamed the “Baltic Versailles,” a spectacular Baroque and Rococo masterpiece designed by architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli)
• Turaida Museum Reserve (Near Sigulda, features the well-preserved Turaida Castle, Folk Song Hill, and sweeping views over the Gauja River Valley)
• Sigulda (Often explored as a gateway to Gauja National Park, featuring Turaida Castle, Krimulda Manor, and active tourism (bobsleigh, aerial tramway))
• Cēsis Castle (The impressive ruins of a medieval fortress that was once the seat of the Livonian Order)
• Salaspils Memorial Ensemble (A powerful and moving memorial honoring the victims of Nazi occupation during World War II, located near Riga)