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C — Short-stay Schengen Visa
VisasLatviaC — Short-stay Schengen Visa
LatviaLatvia•Europe
Open

C — Short-stay Schengen Visa

Tourist Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

7-15 days

Application Fee

90 EUR

Stay Duration

3 months

Renewable

No

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

No

Remote Work

Not Required

Overview

The C-type Short-stay Schengen Visa is the standard authorization for third-country nationals who wish to enter Latvia for a temporary period. It is designed for individuals traveling for tourism, business meetings, cultural or sports events, or to visit family and friends. This visa allows the holder to travel freely within the entire Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. It is essential to note that this visa is intended for short-term stays only and cannot be converted into a long-term residence or work permit while in Latvia. Applicants must apply at the embassy or consulate of the country that serves as their primary destination or their first point of entry if the primary destination cannot be determined.

This visa is intended for travelers who do not benefit from visa-free entry into the Schengen zone. The application process requires demonstrating clear intent, financial stability, and the existence of valid travel insurance. Because Latvia is part of the Schengen Information System, applicants are vetted to ensure they do not pose a security risk. Whether you are a professional attending a conference in Riga or a tourist exploring the Baltic coast, the C-type visa serves as your gateway to the region. It is recommended to submit applications at least 15 days before the intended travel date, though applications can be lodged up to six months in advance to account for processing times and potential interviews.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant3 months

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be a national of a country that does not have a visa-free agreement with the Schengen Area.

Must possess a valid travel document (passport) issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended date of departure from the Schengen area, and containing at least two blank pages.

Must provide proof of sufficient financial means to cover the duration of the stay and return travel.

Must provide proof of accommodation or sufficient means to cover accommodation expenses.

Must provide proof of travel medical insurance valid for the entire Schengen area with a minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR (or equivalent in other currencies) for medical, hospital, and repatriation costs.

Must provide documentation indicating the specific purpose of the journey (e.g., business, tourism, family visit).

Must provide information enabling an assessment of the applicant's intention to leave the Schengen territory before the visa expires.

Must provide biometric data (fingerprints) if not already collected by a Schengen mission in the past 5 years.

Must not be a person for whom an alert has been issued in the Schengen Information System (SIS) for the purpose of refusing entry.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Completed and signed online visa application form.

Valid passport or travel document.

One recent color photograph (35mm x 45mm) meeting Schengen standards.

Travel medical insurance policy.

Proof of purpose of travel (e.g., invitation letter, hotel booking, tour agency certificate).

Proof of accommodation (e.g., hotel reservation, invitation from a host approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs).

Proof of sufficient financial means (e.g., bank statements for the last 6 months, employment contract, income tax returns).

Proof of legal residence in the country of application (if applicable).

Flight itinerary or proof of round-trip travel arrangements.

Additional documents for minors (e.g., birth certificate, parental authorization, copies of parents' IDs).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Schengen-wide travel
  • Fast processing

Worth Knowing

  • No work rights
  • Strict 90/180 day rule

Application Process

1

Book appointment at embassy

2

Submit documents

3

Attend interview

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