Russians visit Latvia more often than other Baltic republics. This is due to the fact that about a quarter of the inhabitants of this country are Russian and there are no problems with the language of communication. In addition, the Latvian authorities are actively trying to bring back Russian tourists in order to preserve the tourism industry.

Most often, Russian citizens come to Latvia to admire Old Riga or relax on the clean beaches of Jurmala. More sophisticated travelers choose the unique medieval streets and festivals of Kuldiga, the mysterious Cesis complex with the ruins of the Livonian Order castle, and the beauty of the Turaida Museum-Reserve. In addition, “green tourism” has become increasingly popular in recent years. Visitors are offered an introduction to rural life, visits to national parks, gastronomic, walking and cycling tours. Medical tourism is also developed in the republic, which is facilitated by Latvia’s temperate climate and the high level of sanatoriums and clinics.

Russians come to Latvia not only to relax and receive treatment. There are a small number of Russian students and employees here, and the number of property owners is growing.

Do Russians need a visa to Latvia in 2019?

Whatever the reason for visiting Latvia, Russians need a visa to legally cross the border.

Main types of visas

Citizens of the Russian Federation can apply for a Schengen, national Latvian visa, or residence permit. The Schengen visa is intended for short-term visits. Category A is issued for transit through Schengen countries and applies only to the airport area. To visit the territory of Latvia, you need a Schengen visa C. It allows you to stay in the republic and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in six months (180 days). Visa C can be one, two or multiple. The maximum period for which a Schengen visa to Latvia is issued is 5 years.

For a long-term (more than 90 days) stay in Latvia, Russians need to obtain a temporary residence permit. The grounds for obtaining it are family reunification, study, property ownership, work contract, scientific cooperation, investment and other reasons. Interestingly, having received a decision on granting a residence permit, you still need to apply for a long-term Latvian visa category D.

Riga, Latvia

How much does a visa to Latvia cost in 2019?

When calculating the cost of a Latvian visa, you need to clearly define the purpose of the trip and the method of submitting documents. The amount of the consular fee and the presence of an additional service fee will depend on this.

The consular fee for a Latvian visa for Russians is:

  • 35 € for a Schengen visa;
  • 60 € for a national visa;
  • 70 € for expedited processing of Schengen documents;
  • 85.37 € for a multiple-entry national visa;
  • 130-560 € for a temporary residence permit.

Latvian legislation provides for the possibility of extending a Schengen visa if its holder can provide evidence of the need to stay in the republic longer than the permitted period. Depending on the severity of the evidence, the extension can be done for free or for 30 €.

The service fee is received by PONY EXPRESS:

  • 20 € in Moscow;
  • 25 € in St. Petersburg;
  • 30 € at regional offices.

At visa centers, fees can be paid in rubles at the exchange rate. The Latvian embassy and consulates accept euros, and since 2015 only through bank cards.

How to get a visa to Latvia yourself?

As of September 1, 2017, Latvia announced that it would suspend the accreditation of travel agencies. Diplomats took this step because 95% of applicants apply for visas in person. A large number of visa centers and transparent conditions for submitting documents allow Russians to independently obtain a visa to Latvia without any problems.

Through the visa center

Officially, documents for the Latvian Embassy in Russia are accepted by the logistics company PONY EXPRESS. At its offices you can submit documents for Schengen registration in a regular and urgent manner.

Visa centers operate without prior appointment. First, the employee performs a superficial check of documents and issues an electronic queue ticket. If necessary, he will offer a translation of the questionnaire into English (600 rubles) or an express photo (250 rubles). Acceptance of documents and submission of biometric data is carried out in an electronic queue. After this, consular and service fees and additional services are paid.

The full package of documents and consular fee are sent to the Latvian embassy/consulate, where the visa is issued. After the decision is made, the passport with a visa (less often refused) is returned to the visa center and handed over to the applicant.

Via the consulate

Latvian diplomatic missions accept applications for any type of visa. However, documents for a Schengen visa can only be submitted after making an appointment online or by calling the embassy/consulate. Ethnic Livs and Latvians, children/spouses of citizens and non-citizens of Latvia are accepted without registration. Also, those traveling due to serious illness or death of relatives will be accepted without an appointment. Due to the requirement to submit biometric data for visas to Schengen countries, adults and children over 12 years of age must appear in person at the diplomatic mission.

Application form for a visa to Latvia

Latvian diplomatic missions require Schengen visa applicants to fill out an online application. The service allows you to save entered data and edit it. When filling out, you can use the sample on the embassy website. To fill out an application for a national visa, you need to download the form and then fill it out.

The completed application form for any visa must be printed out before visiting the embassy/consulate/visa center and signed. For minors, the form must be signed by parents or guardians.

Documents for a visa to Latvia: list from 2019

The list of documents for obtaining a temporary residence permit and national visa D coincides with the list of documents agreed upon by the Schengen countries. Only the amount of health insurance differs. If 30 thousand euros is enough for a Schengen visa, then for a long-term visa you need a policy for 42.6 thousand euros.

To obtain any visa you must provide:

  1. general passport;
  2. a completed application form of the established form;
  3. photo;

It is also necessary to provide evidence in the form of a sponsorship letter from the inviting party, bank statements for 3 months, confirmation of regular income (salary certificate). In addition, documents for obtaining a visa must contain evidence of the purpose of the trip.

Photo for a visa to Latvia

The package of documents for a Latvian visa must contain color photographs measuring 45x35 mm without white corners. Clear, undamaged photos no more than 6 months old are accepted. The applicant's image should be with a natural expression, in casual clothing, against a white/light gray background.

Basically, the photo requirements for a Latvian visa are the same as, but have a number of features. It is specifically stated that it is unacceptable to be photographed in outerwear and with the upper part of the body exposed. Lighting must be uniform; any lighting effects are unacceptable.

The requirements also indicate the main permissible dimensions:

  • 6±3 mm between the pupils of the eyes;
  • 15±2 mm from the chin to the midline of the eyes;
  • 6±2 mm from the crown to the top of the photograph.

It's hard to believe that visa officers measure all distances with a ruler. However, it is better not to risk obtaining a visa and immediately prepare a photo that fully meets the requirements of Latvians.

Visa documents for children

In the package of documents for a visa for children under 14 years of age, an internal passport is replaced with a birth certificate. The parents' passport is accepted if the child is included in it and their photograph is pasted in. From the age of 14, a minor must have his own passport.

A child traveling to Schengen countries accompanied by third parties must also have a separate passport. His package of documents must also contain notarized permission from both parents for the departure of the minor, indicating the details of the person responsible for the child in Schengen.

Additional documents for different types of visas

To confirm the purpose of the trip, the applicant can provide:

  • for tourist trips, reserving or paying for a hotel, private housing, round-trip tickets, car documents;
  • an invitation from a private person to visit relatives and friends;
  • a written invitation or confirmation of enrollment from an educational institution for students and schoolchildren;
  • a document confirming the existence of the grave and evidence of kinship for visiting burial sites;
  • extract from the land register for property owners.

How long does it take to get a visa to Latvia?