Information about the required documents can be found on the website

The status of the application can be tracked at the link

Who Can Apply from the UK?

Do you need a visa? 

Customers must at least meet the following criteria in order to be eligible to submit a Schengen visa application:

1. holding a valid passport/travel document

2. holding a valid UK residence permit. In case Customers holds a short stay visa for the UK, a C type visa (see example here), then Customers needs to apply for a Schengen visa from his/her residence country

3. applying for a short stay visa: Tourist (including Minors), Visitor Family/Friends, Business, EEA/EU and Swiss national family member or Airport Transit

Visa Types

Short stay Visa:

• Tourist

• Visitor Family/Friends

• Business

• EEA/EU and Swiss national family member

• Minors

• Airport Transit

Long Stay D Visa

Documents Required

1. STANDARD DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION

   1. Visa application form (original)

   2. Passport (original)

      Signed passport, at least 2 blank pages for visa purposes, must be valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area and has to be issued within the last 10 years on the day of leaving the Schengen Area.

      Extended passport may still be valid, but when older than 10 years the passport is no longer acceptable; in that case applicant first needs to apply for a new passport.

      Photocopies of previous Schengen visas issued in the last 3 years; in case the previous Schengen visas are endorsed in an old passport, then the old passport should also be submitted with the visa application.

   3. UK Residence permit

      UK Residence permit, endorsed in the passport or issued as a Biometrics card and/or digital proof of immigration status issued by UK Home Office (share code), must be valid for at least 1 month beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area; C type visitor visa (see here) is not acceptable.

   4. Photograph (original) (see here)

2. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION

3. Proof of current occupation

   1. Employer letter (original): recent (less than 1 month old), signed, headed letter (addressed to the Mission, name and position of the signee and confirming applicant’s employment) AND last 3 months payslips

   2. Student letter (original): recent (less than 1 month old), signed, headed letter (addressed to the Mission, name and position of the signee and confirming applicant’s enrolment)

   3. Self- employment letter (original): recent (less than 1 month old), signed, headed letter (addressed to the Mission, name and position of the signee and confirming applicant’s self-employment) and obtained from (if applicable):

      1. applicant’s accountant: when applicant’s company’s accountancy is done by an external/independent accountant

      2. solicitor: when applicant’s company has been registered by a solicitor

      3. bank manager: when applicant’s company has a business bank account

      4. Companies House: Certificate of Incorporation received upon registering business: if applicant’s name is not mentioned on certificate, then additional proof demonstrating connection applicant – company should be provided

   4. Unemployed/retired

      1. Receiving Benefits: recent original letter obtained from local Jobcentre or Pension Service

      2. Not receiving Benefits: cover letter explaining applicant’s financial situation

      3. Housewife/man (only applicable to married couples): applicant’s may be sponsored by their spouse/registered partner; in these cases the following needs to be provided:

         1. marriage certificate (original + copy): when this document was issued outside the EU and is not in English, Latvian or Russian, then it should be translated by a certified translator in the UK

         2. spouse/registered partner’s passport (original + copy)

         3. spouse/registered partner’s proof of occupation (as in B.1.a, b or c)

         4. spouse/registered partner’s proof of funds

         5. spouse/registered partner’s cover letter (signed & dated) confirming sponsorship

4. Proof of funds (in case of no indication in the invitation that inviting party will cover applicant’s expenses)

   1. Latest 3 months UK bank statements showing applicant’s name, address and an end balance dated within the last month on the visa application submission date; balance needs to show a minimum amount of £ 13.00/day of stay in the Schengen Area + outstanding accommodation and travel fees (alternatively online bank account printouts are also accepted).

   2. Travellers’ cheques covering the same amount as explained under a.

5. Proof of travel (airplane, train, boat, coach, (hired) car)

   1. Confirmed return travel tickets: mentioning applicant’s name and travel dates to & from the Schengen Area

   2. When travelling by car: car registration, car insurance, return travel tickets (ferry or Eurotunnel) mentioning the car’s registration number and driver’s driving licence. If applicant is not the driver, then driver’s cover letter (signed & dated) confirming joint travel with applicant and travel dates need to be provided too.

      When travel tickets have been paid through travel agency, then a receipt, an invoice or a payment confirmation is also required.

6. Proof of accommodation

   confirmed accommodation (hotel, hostel, camping,…) reservation mentioning applicant’s name, travel dates and accommodation address details.

   If the applicant’s name is not mentioned on the accommodation reservation, then a joint travel confirmation letter, signed and dated by the person whose name is on the reservation, must also be provided along with a photocopy of that same person’s passport/ID card + passport signature page, if signature is not on passport’s bio page.

   When accommodation is reserved for a group, then a list with the names of the group members will also be required; alternatively the group members their names may also be mentioned on the travel ticket

7. Travel insurance (all-risk medical travel insurance)

   The travel insurance – clearly showing the applicant’s name - has to be valid throughout the complete territory of the Schengen Area and must cover the entire period of the applicant’s intended stay in the Schengen Area; the minimum coverage for medical emergency and repatriation (in case of death clause included) must be 30.000 €.

   When applying for single entry, then the insurance should also cover the 15 days ‘period of grace’ in addition to the entire period of the intended stay in the Schengen Area.

   When applying for multiple entry, then the insurance should at least cover the entire period of the 1st intended stay in the Schengen Area.

8. In addition to other documents required to apply for a Schengen visa to Latvia citizens of the states referred to in the Cabinet Regulation of June 21, 2010, No. 554, “Regulations Regarding the States for the Citizens of which in Issuing a Visa or Residence Permit an Additional Examination shall be Performed” shall submit a completed QUESTIONNAIRE.

9. The questionnaire together with the visa application shall be submitted to the diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Latvia by adult visa applicants who are citizens of:

   • Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Cameroon, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen;

   • persons whose place of residence or place of birth is in Abkhazia (Georgia) or South Ossetia (Georgia), the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (Ukraine), the Luhansk Region (Ukraine), the Donetsk Region (Ukraine) or Palestinian Authority;

   • foreigners who have been granted stateless or refugee status in a foreign state.

🚨 The documents may vary depending on the purpose and applicant's details 🚨

Step-by-Step Guide to the Application Process

• Identify visa type (Choose the right visa for your trip).

• Begin your application (Get started with your visa application). Once you are ready to apply, you can download the visa application form, complete it, print the complete form and bring it with you to the Visa Application Center (together with the documents required for the Visa category chosen) for submission.

• Prepare Documents: Ensure all required documents are ready and properly organized.

• Book an Appointment: Once you’ve booked your appointment, you’ll receive an appointment confirmation email along with the letter of appointment. If you are part of a family or group, you’ll have to book individual appointments for each member of the family or group.

• Pay the Fees: Once you have made your application, you will need to pay your visa application fee. If you download the form to print and bring to the Visa Application Centre, payment will be made at the time of your appointment. You can pay the visa fee at the visa application centre

• Submit Application: Attend the appointment at the visa center, submit your documents, and provide biometrics.

• Track your application (Stay informed about the progress of your application)

• Collect your passport: After a visa application decision has been made, you can pick up your passport from the Visa Application Centre or have your passport returned to you by courier for an additional fee.

  • Collecting your passport in person: bring the receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre and a form of Government identification. If permitted you may be able to send a representative to collect your passport; they will need to present a letter of authorization signed by you, bring the receipt issued to you by the Visa Application Centre and their Government identification.

Processing Time

Every applicant can submit his/her Schengen visa application up to 6 months before the intended travel date to the Schengen Area. Application must be lodged not later than 15 days before the intended visit.

The minimum processing time of a visa application is 10 working days, so applicants are advised to leave enough time - between the appointment date and travel date - for the Mission to process their visa application; no guarantees can be given on the visa application’s return date as delays may occur. Visa processing time may be extended up to 45 days.

For certain nationalities (see: https://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/processing-visa-applications-and-prior-consultation) the visa application needs consultation from the other Schengen countries and therefore the minimum processing time takes 15 working days

How to Book an Appointment

Booking a slot for your visa application can be a daunting task, especially during high travel seasons. This is where Visard.io simplifies the process:

• Instant Notifications: Receive updates on available appointment slots.

• Automated Booking: Secure your appointment seamlessly through the platform.

• Convenience: Avoid the hassle of manually searching for slots.

Important notes

Furthermore applicants need to consider that VFS/Mission’s closures and holidays (see Public Holidays/Closures) may extend the visa application processing time.

Therefore VFS recommends all applicants:

1. to book their appointment as soon as they know they’ll be travelling

2. to ensure that their visa application’s documentation meets the Mission’s requirements

3. to leave enough processing time for the Mission