Skip to content
6 ways to enter

Latvia visas

Latvia tourist visa

For a holiday in Latvia, you may need a short-stay Schengen visa. Some travellers can visit without one.

Ways to get a Latvia tourist visa

  1. Visa-free short visit

    No visa needed

    Ordinary-passport holders from the listed visa-waiver countries and territories can visit for pleasure without a visa.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

  2. Short-stay Schengen visa

    Visa needed

    Holiday visitors who need a visa and meet the Schengen visa requirements can apply.

    Stay
    Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
    Valid for
    Up to five years. New applicants normally receive a visa valid for their intended trip.
    Entries
    One, two or multiple entries.
    Fee
    €90 normally; €45 for children aged 6–12; free for children under 6. Other exemptions, reductions and increases can apply.
    Processing
    15 calendar days for an application accepted for processing with no issues; delays and appointment shortages can occur.
    1. Choose the embassy or consulate for your main destination, or your first Schengen entry if there is no main destination.
    2. Submit the application no more than six months before travel, through the embassy, consulate or its designated service.
    3. Attend in person and have an interview if this is your first application.
    4. Provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required, and pay the applicable fee.

  4. Visit with an existing visa or residence permit

    No visa needed

    Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit from a Schengen country, Gibraltar or Monaco can make short visits to Latvia without an additional visa.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

  5. Extra visa-free stay under older agreements

    No visa needed

    Citizens of Argentina, Costa Rica, Israel, Japan, Panama, South Korea, the United States and Uruguay can receive an additional visa-free stay in Latvia under older agreements.

    Stay
    An extra 90 days in Latvia after using the normal Schengen visa-free allowance.

Who needs it

Travellers who do not qualify for visa-free entry or another exemption need a visa.

Who doesn't

Citizens of the listed visa-waiver countries can visit for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Citizens of European Union countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland have separate rights to enter without a visa.

How to apply

  1. Apply to Latvia's embassy or consulate if Latvia is your only or main destination.
  2. If you have no main destination, apply to the Schengen country you will enter first.
  3. Submit your application no more than six months before your planned entry. A designated application service may collect it.
  4. Attend in person for your first application and a consular interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required.
  5. Pay the fee unless you qualify for an exemption, then wait for a decision.

What to bring

  • A travel document accepted for a Schengen visa.
  • Fingerprints and a digital photo, if required. Children under 12 do not provide fingerprints.

Good to know

  • Count short visits across the Schengen Area together, rather than allowing 90 days in each country.
  • A visa's validity period does not give permission to stay for that whole period.
  • Latvia does not allow visa-waiver visitors to work under the short-stay exemption.
  • Latvia's stated funds requirement is €14 per day or a certified invitation letter.
  • A Schengen visa issued by another member country is normally valid for Latvia unless it says otherwise.
  • Fingerprints provided within the previous 59 months may not need to be taken again.
  • An external application service may charge up to €120 extra. In certain nationality-related cases, the visa fee may rise to €180, except for children under 12.
  • An Irish or Cypriot visa does not give permission to enter Latvia.

Questions

Do I need a tourist visa for Latvia?

Travellers who do not qualify for visa-free entry or another exemption need a visa. Citizens of the listed visa-waiver countries can visit for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Citizens of European Union countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland have separate rights to enter without a visa.

What are the ways to get a tourist visa for Latvia?

There are 6 options: Visa-free short visit (no visa at all); Short-stay Schengen visa (a visa from an embassy); Entry under European free-movement rights (no visa at all); Visit with an existing visa or residence permit (no visa at all); Extra visa-free stay under older agreements (no visa at all); Diplomatic or official passport exemption (no visa at all).

Who can go to Latvia without a tourist visa?

Ordinary-passport holders from the listed visa-waiver countries and territories can visit for pleasure without a visa. Citizens of European Union countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland can enter, live and work in Latvia without a visa. Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit from a Schengen country, Gibraltar or Monaco can make short visits to Latvia without an additional visa. Citizens of Argentina, Costa Rica, Israel, Japan, Panama, South Korea, the United States and Uruguay can receive an additional visa-free stay in Latvia under older agreements. Latvia exempts diplomatic and official passports from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cape Verde, Kuwait, Mongolia and Turkey. It also exempts diplomatic passports from Belarus, China, India, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan; Belarusian passports must be biometric.

How long can I stay on a Latvia tourist visa?

Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

How much does a Latvia tourist visa cost?

Standard visa fee: €90. Children aged 6–12: €45. Children under 6: free. Other reductions and exemptions apply.

How long does a Latvia tourist visa take?

A decision is due within 15 calendar days after an application is lodged, if it is accepted for processing and has no issues. Appointment shortages and delays can occur.

How long is a Latvia tourist visa valid?

Schengen visas can be valid for up to five years. First-time applicants normally receive a visa covering their planned trip. Entries: One, two or multiple entries..

What documents do I need for a Latvia tourist visa?

A travel document accepted for a Schengen visa.; Fingerprints and a digital photo, if required. Children under 12 do not provide fingerprints..

How do I apply for a Latvia tourist visa?

1. 1. Apply to Latvia's embassy or consulate if Latvia is your only or main destination. 2. 2. If you have no main destination, apply to the Schengen country you will enter first. 3. 3. Submit your application no more than six months before your planned entry. A designated application service may collect it. 4. 4. Attend in person for your first application and a consular interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required. 5. 5. Pay the fee unless you qualify for an exemption, then wait for a decision.

What rules do I have to follow on a Latvia tourist visa?

Count short visits across the Schengen Area together, rather than allowing 90 days in each country. A visa's validity period does not give permission to stay for that whole period. Latvia does not allow visa-waiver visitors to work under the short-stay exemption. Latvia's stated funds requirement is €14 per day or a certified invitation letter.

Reviewed by