# Latvia visa for Indian citizens

> Indian citizens apply for a Latvia visa through VFS Global. The published fee for Short stay (all categories) — adult is EUR 90 / INR 9996. Processing time (Short stay (VFS)): Up to 10 working days; apply at least 2 weeks in advance; applications at VFS offices other than New Delhi take another two days due to postal delivery. Sources checked on October 15, 2026.

Canonical page: https://yatraforfun.com/visa/india/latvia
Sources checked on: 2026-10-15
Applies via: VFS Global
VFS Global: https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/latvia/india/english/index.html
Embassy / official site: https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/newdelhi/consular-section/visa

## Overview

Indian citizens (and residents of India, Maldives, Myanmar and Bhutan) apply for a Latvian Schengen visa through the Embassy of Latvia in New Delhi; appointments for Schengen visa applicants are scheduled at the joint VFS Global Visa Application Centres for Latvia in India. All Schengen applicants must appear in person for biometrics. The VFS page asks short-stay customers to email appt_latvia_sa@vfsglobal.com to book an appointment. Long-stay (student/employment) applicants must first upload documents on Hello Verify, and student applicants are interviewed (by video conference at VACs outside New Delhi). Applications may be lodged no more than six months and at least 15 calendar days before the trip.

## Visa on arrival, eVisa and visa-free entry

- **Visa on arrival:** Not available: Indian citizens need a Schengen visa issued before travel; India is on the EU list of countries whose nationals must hold a visa to cross the Schengen external borders (Annex I, Regulation (EU) 2018/1806), and all Schengen visa applicants in India must apply in person through the Embassy of Latvia's VFS centres.
- **eVisa / online visa:** Not available: there is no Latvian eVisa for Indians. The visa application form is completed online (long-stay: epak.pmlp.gov.lv), printed and signed, and every Schengen visa applicant in India must appear in person to give biometric data.
- **Visa-free entry:** Not available: ordinary Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa for any short stay in Latvia (Annex I, Regulation (EU) 2018/1806). Airport transit: India is not on the list of nationalities that need an airport transit visa (Embassy of Latvia; EU common list and Latvia's national list in Annex 7B, June 2026), so no visa is needed to stay inside the international transit area of a Latvian airport.

## Visa fees

- **Short stay (all categories) — adult:** EUR 90 / INR 9996 — VFS: applicable with effect from 01st May 2026; INR as per current exchange rate. Non-refundable if refused.
- **Short stay — children between 06-12:** EUR 45 / INR 4998 — Children below 6 years exempt from visa fee (VFS service charge still applies)
- **Student Visa (single/double entry):** EUR 90 / INR 9996 — Plus video conferencing fee Rs 3888 if applicable
- **Employment Visa:** EUR 90 / INR 9996 — Plus video conferencing fee Rs 3888 if applicable; employment checklist text on the same page says 'Visa fee of 60 EUR'
- **Resident Permit Visa:** EUR 90 / INR 9996; children 0-12: 0
- **Visa fee waived (embassy):** EUR 0 — Children under six; pupils/students/teachers on study trips; researchers; non-profit representatives aged 25 or less

**Service fee:** Rs. 2999/- (inclusive of GST) per application; Rs. 2278/- for non-VIS cases (airport transit section); video conferencing Rs 3888/- for long-stay where applicable

## Documents required

### All applicants

- Visa application form completed online, printed and signed by the applicant
- Two colour photos 35mm x 45mm, taken in last 6 months, white background
- Passport valid at least three months after intended departure from the Schengen area, with at least two blank pages, issued within the previous ten years; copies of identification pages and pages with previous visas
- Travel medical insurance valid for the whole Schengen area, minimum coverage EUR 30,000 (VFS checklist: entire intended visit plus 15 days 'period of grace')
- Round trip tickets / flight itinerary
- Proof of accommodation (VFS checklist: confirmed and prepaid hotels with payment details directly from hotels; social booking platforms not considered valid)
- Original bank statement for last three months, stamped and signed by the bank (VFS checklist: with bank certificate)
- Indian income tax return acknowledgment for the last two assessment years (embassy)
- Employed: payslips for last three months, employment contract, employer's approval for holidays
- Company owner/self-employed: certificate of registration of the company incl. GST registration number
- Sponsored: proof of sponsorship; Retired: pension statements for last three months
- Minors: notarised consent of parent(s)/guardian(s), copies of parents' passports
- Biometric data can be collected only by Schengen consulates and external service providers (VFS), not by commercial intermediaries such as travel agencies (Embassy)

### Tourism

- Certificate of the travel agency confirming an organised trip or any other document indicating the envisaged travel plans
- Means of subsistence (Cabinet Regulation No 225, as notified to the European Commission): at least EUR 14 per day for stays up to 30 days; not less than the minimum monthly wage (EUR 700) for stays over 30 days; not needed if the OCMA-approved invitation states the host covers the costs

### Business

- Invitation from the inviting company or organisation
- Cover letter from the applicant's employer confirming identity, purpose and period/place of stay

### Family / friends visit

- Invitation from family member/friend with address, contact details and intended period of stay
- Proof of citizenship or legal residence of visited family/friends

### Cultural, sports, religious events and film crews

- Invitation, entry tickets, enrolments or programmes
- Film crews: film company letter, crew list, Latvian agency letter on film permits, registration with Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association or Film Chamber of Commerce

### Medical treatment

- Certificate from a medical doctor/institution confirming need for treatment in Latvia
- Document of receiving medical institution confirming treatment and acceptance
- Proof of pre-payment of the treatment

### Seafarers

- Employment contract / appointment letter
- Seafarer's book
- Signed and sealed invitation from the shipping company/maritime agency with seafarer and vessel details
- Flight reservation (if applicable)

### Airport transit

- Visa or other entry permit for the third country of destination

### Employment (long stay)

- Invitation by Latvian employer approved by OCMA (dated not later than 6 months prior)
- Copy of signed employment agreement
- Bank statement for last 3 months with balance confirmation; ITR acknowledgment last 3 assessment years with Form 26AS and Form 16/16A
- Proof of accommodation in Latvia
- Proof of previous employment (3 years of work experience)
- Previous education diplomas and mark sheets in same field
- Travel medical insurance for 90 days, minimum coverage EUR 42,600
- Air ticket reservation
- Hello Verify confirmation slip

### Residence Permit (after positive OCMA decision)

- Copy of OCMA positive decision on granting residence permit
- Flight itinerary with Schengen entry date
- Travel insurance for 90 days from Schengen entry date

### Student (long stay)

- Documents uploaded on Hello Verify before appointment
- Interview required for all student applicants

## Photo specifications

- **Size:** 35mm x 45mm
- **Background:** Light background (white or off-white); checklist/embassy: white background
- Not more than 6 months old, not previously used in the passport
- In colour, face in focus, printed on normal photographic paper
- Full face, non-smiling, without sunglasses or head covering unless for religious/ethnic reasons
- Stick the photograph on the visa application form
- Photo booth available at the centre
- Long-stay applicants: live photo captured at the VAC

## Travel medical insurance

**Required:** Yes

Travel medical insurance valid for the whole Schengen area covering the entire intended stay, minimum EUR 30,000 incl. urgent medical attention, emergency hospital treatment and repatriation in event of death (VFS checklist adds 15-day period of grace). Employment visa: minimum EUR 42,600 for 90 days.

## Processing time

- **Short stay (VFS):** Up to 10 working days; apply at least 2 weeks in advance; applications at VFS offices other than New Delhi take another two days due to postal delivery
- **Short stay (Embassy):** Decided within 15 calendar days of lodging; may be extended to a maximum of 45 calendar days
- **Long stay (student/employment/residence permit):** 15 days after submission of all documents at the Embassy; up to 60 days if additional inspection is needed

## Visa categories

### Short Stay Visa (Schengen)

- Airport Transit
- Business Visit
- Cultural Visit
- Family And Friends Visit
- Medical Treatment Visit
- Seafarers
- Tourist Visit

### Long Stay Visa

- Student Visa
- Employment
- Residence Permit

### Study and work visas (long stay)

- Student visa, long stay (D) for Indian nationals
- Employment visa, long stay (D)
- Temporary residence permit (OCMA)

## Study, work and long-stay routes

### Student visa, long stay (D) for Indian nationals (Study)

For Indians enrolled at an education institution accredited in Latvia. Students upload documents to Hello Verify, get a VFS appointment, submit at a Latvia VFS centre and attend a mandatory video or in-person interview with the Embassy; after arrival they apply for a residence permit at the OCMA.

- Invitation from the Latvian education institution approved by the OCMA, dated not more than 6 months before the application
- Signed study agreement with the AIC (Academic Information Centre) certificate, and the institution's certification of matriculation
- Funds: original bank statement for the last three months with a bank balance confirmation letter, an international card activated for euro transactions, or the university's statement of funds held in its account
- If sponsored by a parent: notarised sponsorship declaration plus the sponsor's employment proof and payslips (self-employed: company registration, 3 months' company bank statements, current year's ITR)
- Previous education diplomas and mark sheets; proof of accommodation (university dormitory confirmation or notarised owner consent with land-registry statement)
- Travel medical insurance for 90 days valid in the whole Schengen area, minimum coverage EUR 42,600
- Hello Verify upload confirmation (no VFS appointment without it); mandatory interview at the VFS centre unless the Embassy grants an exemption
- The long-stay visa is valid for 90 days; on arrival students apply for a residence permit at the OCMA

Source: https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/newdelhi/consular-section/applying-for-a-long-stay-visa/students/indian-nationals

### Employment visa, long stay (D) (Work)

For Indians with a Latvian employment agreement. The employer's invitation must first be approved by the OCMA; the applicant verifies documents with Hello Verify and submits the long-stay visa application at a Latvia VFS centre in India.

- Invitation by the employer in Latvia approved by the OCMA, dated not more than 6 months before the application
- Signed employment agreement and original 3-month bank statement with balance confirmation
- Proof of previous employment and ITR acknowledgment for the last assessment year with Form 26AS and Form 16/16A (Embassy employment page; an earlier VFS checklist lists the last 3 assessment years)
- Education diplomas and mark sheets in the same field as the planned employment
- Proof of accommodation; travel medical insurance valid in the whole Schengen area, minimum EUR 42,600
- Hello Verify confirmation slip; visa fee EUR 90

Source: https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/newdelhi/consular-section/applying-for-a-long-stay-visa/employment

### Temporary residence permit (OCMA) applied for at the Embassy (Residence)

Residence permits are issued by Latvia's Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) for stays over 90 days in 180; Indians can file at the Embassy in New Delhi by online appointment.

- Fill in, print and sign the OCMA residence-permit application form in block letters
- Collect the documents listed by the OCMA; documents issued abroad must be translated into English or Latvian and legalised
- Submit in person at the Embassy (appointment via pieraksts.mfa.gov.lv/en/india); state and consular fees payable by international credit/debit card only (not American Express), non-refundable
- OCMA decides (processing starts when the application reaches the OCMA in Latvia) and emails the decision to the applicant and the inviting party
- If approved, apply for a 90-day long-stay visa to travel, then collect the residence permit card at the OCMA after arrival

Source: https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/newdelhi/consular-section/applying-for-a-residence-permit

## Where to apply in India

Not published by VFS Global or the embassy — check the official links below.

### Which office covers your state

- **Embassy of the Republic of Latvia to India, B8 Anand Niketan, New Delhi 110021 (tel. +91 11 4985 9100):** All of India (also Maldives and Myanmar for Schengen visas; residence permits and long-stay visas also for Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka); applications are lodged at the joint VFS Global centres for Latvia in India

## How to apply from India

1. **Prepare your documents** — Gather the documents listed in the "Documents required" section — the common list plus the checklist for your visa category.
2. **Book an appointment** — Book an appointment with VFS Global (see the official links below).
3. **Give biometrics** — Attend in person for biometrics where the official pages require it.
4. **Pay the fees** — Pay the visa fee shown in the "Visa fees" section, plus the service fee.

## Visa statistics

- **Schengen visa refusal rate, applications lodged at Latvian consulates in India (2025):** 18.6% — 244 visas not issued; 1,314 applications lodged — https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/56816949-e59f-442b-9091-5d03360bf860_en
- **Schengen visa refusal rate, applications lodged at Latvian consulates in India (2024):** 11.9% — 114 visas not issued; 963 applications lodged — https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/6552447c-1d75-4f7c-bed6-1bd17a5d59f8_en?filename=2024-schengen-visa-statistics-consulates_en.xlsx

## Frequently asked questions

### How much is the Latvia visa fee for Indian citizens?

Short stay (all categories) — adult: EUR 90 / INR 9996; Short stay — children between 06-12: EUR 45 / INR 4998; Student Visa (single/double entry): EUR 90 / INR 9996. 3 more fee rows are listed on this page. Service fee: Rs. 2999/- (inclusive of GST) per application; Rs. 2278/- for non-VIS cases (airport transit section); video conferencing Rs 3888/- for long-stay where applicable.

### What documents are required for a Latvia visa from India?

Visa application form completed online, printed and signed by the applicant; Two colour photos 35mm x 45mm, taken in last 6 months, white background; Passport valid at least three months after intended departure from the Schengen area, with at least two blank pages, issued within the previous ten years; copies of identification pages and pages with previous visas; Travel medical insurance valid for the whole Schengen area, minimum coverage EUR 30,000 (VFS checklist: entire intended visit plus 15 days 'period of grace'); Round trip tickets / flight itinerary; Proof of accommodation (VFS checklist: confirmed and prepaid hotels with payment details directly from hotels; social booking platforms not considered valid). Plus 7 more items listed on this page. Category-specific checklists are listed for 10 visa categories.

### How long does Latvia visa processing take for Indians?

Short stay (VFS): Up to 10 working days; apply at least 2 weeks in advance; applications at VFS offices other than New Delhi take another two days due to postal delivery; Short stay (Embassy): Decided within 15 calendar days of lodging; may be extended to a maximum of 45 calendar days; Long stay (student/employment/residence permit): 15 days after submission of all documents at the Embassy; up to 60 days if additional inspection is needed.

### Where do Indian citizens apply for a Latvia visa?

Applications go via VFS Global.

### Can Indians get a Latvia visa on arrival or an eVisa?

Visa on arrival — Not available: Indian citizens need a Schengen visa issued before travel; India is on the EU list of countries whose nationals must hold a visa to cross the Schengen external borders (Annex I, Regulation (EU) 2018/1806), and all Schengen visa applicants in India must apply in person through the Embassy of Latvia's VFS centres. eVisa — Not available: there is no Latvian eVisa for Indians. The visa application form is completed online (long-stay: epak.pmlp.gov.lv), printed and signed, and every Schengen visa applicant in India must appear in person to give biometric data. Visa-free entry — Not available: ordinary Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa for any short stay in Latvia (Annex I, Regulation (EU) 2018/1806). Airport transit: India is not on the list of nationalities that need an airport transit visa (Embassy of Latvia; EU common list and Latvia's national list in Annex 7B, June 2026), so no visa is needed to stay inside the international transit area of a Latvian airport.

### What photo size is required for a Latvia visa?

Size: 35mm x 45mm. Background: Light background (white or off-white); checklist/embassy: white background.

### Is travel medical insurance required for a Latvia visa?

Yes. Travel medical insurance valid for the whole Schengen area covering the entire intended stay, minimum EUR 30,000 incl. urgent medical attention, emergency hospital treatment and repatriation in event of death (VFS checklist adds 15-day period of grace). Employment visa: minimum EUR 42,600 for 90 days.

### Which Latvia visa types can Indian citizens apply for?

Short Stay Visa (Schengen), Long Stay Visa and Study and work visas (long stay). 13 visa types are listed on this page.

## Sources

- [VFS Global — Apply for Visa to Latvia in India](https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/latvia/india/english/index.html) — VFS Global, checked on 2026-10-15
- [VFS Latvia India — Tourist Visa Checklist](https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/latvia/india/english/pdf/tourist-visa-checklist_june.pdf) — VFS Global, checked on 2026-10-15
- [Embassy of Latvia to India — Applying for a Short Stay (Schengen) Visa](https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/newdelhi/consular-section/visa) — Embassy / official government site, checked on 2026-10-15
- [Embassy of Latvia to India — Consular Information](https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/newdelhi/consular-section) — Embassy / official government site, checked on 2026-10-15
- [European Commission — Schengen visa statistics by consulate (2025)](https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/56816949-e59f-442b-9091-5d03360bf860_en) — Official source, checked on 2026-10-15
- [European Commission — Schengen visa statistics by consulate (2024)](https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/6552447c-1d75-4f7c-bed6-1bd17a5d59f8_en?filename=2024-schengen-visa-statistics-consulates_en.xlsx) — Official source, checked on 2026-10-15
- [European Commission — Short-stay visas issued by Schengen countries (statistics)](https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/visa-policy/short-stay-visas-issued-schengen-countries_en) — Official source, checked on 2026-10-15
- [Embassy of Latvia to India - Long stay visa: students (Indian nationals)](https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/newdelhi/consular-section/applying-for-a-long-stay-visa/students/indian-nationals) — Embassy / official government site, checked on 2026-10-15
- [Embassy of Latvia to India - Long stay visa: employment](https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/newdelhi/consular-section/applying-for-a-long-stay-visa/employment) — Embassy / official government site, checked on 2026-10-15
- [Embassy of Latvia to India - Applying for a residence permit](https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/newdelhi/consular-section/applying-for-a-residence-permit) — Embassy / official government site, checked on 2026-10-15
- [Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 - Annex I list of visa-required nationalities (European Commission)](https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2020-05/regulation-2018-1806.pdf) — Official source, checked on 2026-10-15
- [European Commission - Visa Code Handbook Annex 7B: national airport transit visa lists (June 2026)](https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/7337515c-60a1-4510-b639-80de714f543e_en?filename=Annex-7B_en.pdf) — Official source, checked on 2026-10-15
- [European Commission - Practical Handbook for Border Guards, Annex 25 (Latvia means of subsistence), June 2026](https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/97f68496-caf8-47b0-8017-bdd4aad90303_en?filename=handbook-annex_25_EN+%281%29.pdf) — Official source, checked on 2026-10-15

### Notes on sources

- visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/lva/ returned HTTP 403; data from VFS one-pager on www.vfsglobal.com
- List of Latvia VAC cities in India not published on the fetched VFS/embassy pages (only New Delhi referenced)
- Employment visa fee inconsistent on VFS page (EUR 90 table vs 'Visa fee of 60 EUR' in checklist text)
- Category-specific VFS checklist PDFs (business, family/friends, cultural, medical, seafarer, transit) not extracted; student and employment items now from the Embassy's long-stay pages
- Employment visa ITR period differs: Embassy employment page asks for the last assessment year (with Form 26AS and Form 16/16A), the VFS checklist used earlier lists 3 years; Embassy student page (March 2025) shows older VFS charges (INR 2434 service, INR 3200 video) than the current VFS one-pager (INR 2999, INR 3888)
- No official information found on Latvian investor/residence-by-investment amounts or on agent fraud warnings for India

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