Delhi residents traveling to Latvia need to understand the intricacies of the visa application process. Yes, you heard it right. Entering the target country will only be possible if you have a visa.
Besides, each application step such as the processing time, the document submission, and the visa interview plays a vital role in getting a visa.
Therefore, walk through the following article to learn the essentials of a Latvia visa from Delhi and ace the process in the first attempt.
Is Latvia a Schengen Country?
Yes, Latvia is one of the members of the 29 Schengen countries including European and non-EU states. Alternatively known as the Republic of Latvia, it is one of the three Baltic states along with Lithuania and Estonia.
Riga is the capital and the largest city in the country. Besides, Latvian is the official language with almost a quarter of Russians as a minority population in the country. 38 percent of the total population speaks Russian as a native tongue.
Embassy of Latvia in New Delhi, India
The existence of the Embassy of Latvia in New Delhi, India has made the application process easier for Delhi residents. Therefore, they can submit their Latvia Schengen visa and Latvia Resident Permit applications to the respective embassy.
Surprisingly, the Latvian Embassy also receives applications from countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Maldives.
Information
The following basic details of the Latvian Embassy will help you act accordingly for the visa application.
Location: B8 Anand Niketan, 110021 New Delhi, India
Phone:+91 11 49 859 100
E-mail:embassy.india@mfa.gov.lv
Working hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (08:30 – 17:00)
Jurisdiction of the embassy
Moreover, the embassy covers the following areas of India:
- Pondicherry, Punjab,
- Gujarat, Goa,
- Tamil Nadu, Tripura,
- Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur,
- Karnataka, Kerala,
- Chattisgarh,
- Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,
- Orissa,
- West Bengal,
- Sikkim,
- Nagaland,
- Jharkhand, Jammu And Kashmir,
- Bihar,
- Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh,
- Rajasthan,
- Himachal Pradesh, Haryana
- Union territories of Nagar Haveli, Dadra, and Dadra
What Are the Common Visa Types Available for Delhians to Travel to Latvia?
Depending on the purpose of your visit to Latvia, you can explore the following visa types as a Delhi resident to start the application process.
Type A
Also known as an airport transit visa, a Type A visa is used when traveling through Latvia to a third or non-Schengen country. This visa type allows you to stay in the transit area for almost 24 to 48 hours without leaving the airport.
Type C
Besides, you can use a Type C or short-stay visa when traveling to Latvia for a shorter duration of time. Therefore, you can stay for up to 90 days in the target destination as this visa is valid for 180 days.
Also known as a Schengen visa, it will help you for purposes such as:
- Business visa
- Cultural visa
- Friends and family visit visa
- Medical treatment visa
- Seafarers visa
- Tourist visa
Type D
Contrary to a Type C visa, a Type D allows you to stay in Latvia for more than three months. It is also known as a long-stay or National visa that helps you live in the country for a longer time.
So, it can be used for the following reasons.
- Study/student visa
- Resident permit
- Work/employment visa
Step-by-Step Application Process for a Latvia Visa from Delhi
Pertaining to applying for a Latvia visa from Delhi, make sure to follow the simple detailed guide.
Step 1:
First, visit the website of the Embassy of Latvia in New Delhi, India. On the home page, hit the tab ‘consular information’ and then select the appropriate visa type (either short or long-stay).
You can go through the entire section to learn the vital details or clarify any queries you have related to the visa process.
Step 2:
Then, schedule an appointment with the staffers of the embassy. For this purpose, you need to visit the website of VFS Global and log in/create an account to book the available slot.
Step 3:
Once done, start gathering the visa documents considering the permit type. For a quick glance, look at the following points. All these documents are discussed below in detail.
- Original passport
- Visa application form
- Two pictures
- Return flight tickets
- Hotel booking
- Cover letter
- Health insurance
- Bank statements, income tax returns, salary slips
Step 4:
On the day of your appointment, you need to submit your biometric data along with the documents and the application form. For this purpose, visit the application center or the embassy. Make sure that you are not late and arrive before the given time.
Step 5:
After that, the staffers of the embassy request you to pay the visa fee in the local currency. The exchange rate is continuously changing so make sure that you keep the exact amount with you.
Step 6:
Once the fee is paid, you will be called for a visa interview if necessary. Therefore, ensure that you give appropriate answers to the questions to avoid any ambiguity that will damage your application.
Step 7:
Lastly, once all the steps are completed, wait for the processing time. If your visa is approved, you will be notified via email to collect your passport on the specified date.
Documents Needed for a Latvia Visa from Delhi
The application process also requires you to collect the mandatory visa-supporting documents. This includes the following.
Travel document
A passport that should be valid for at least three months ahead of your stay in Latvia with 2 blank pages and an issuance date not older than the last ten years.
Application form
The process requires you to complete the visa application form that you can download from the website of VFS Global. Make sure that you do not leave any blank unfilled to avoid rejection or denial.
Pictures
Moreover, two passport-size pictures with 35*45mm size, recent, and a white color background to be attached to the application form. They should be according to the Schengen photo guidelines.
Round trip tickets
Make sure to buy dummy round-trip tickets before your visa is approved. It will show the officers that you have concrete plans of traveling to Latvia.
Proof of accommodation
You need to show that you have a place to live in Latvia. This can be in the form of a hotel booking, rental contract, or an invitation letter.
Cover letter
Submit this additional document to strengthen your application by including details such as the destination country, stay duration, and planned activities. Click on the banner above to get the document from coverletterforvisa.com.
Travel health insurance
It should be valid for the entire Schengen Area with a coverage amount of at least 30,000 euros to cover expenses related to medical and travel emergencies.
Proof of financial means
Financial resources such as your bank statements, income tax returns, or salary slips will help prove to the authorities that you can manage your daily food, accommodation, and transportation.
Additional documents
- Employment contract or job offer letter if employed
- Admission letter or academic transcripts if you are a student
- If retired, submit a pension slip
- Consent letter from the parents, their passport, and court order letter for a minor traveling to Latvia
Application Fee
The amount you need to deposit as the visa application fee depends on various factors including the visa type, the duration length, and the number of entries. However, traveling to Latvia either by applying for a Type C or Type D will cost you the same amount surprisingly.
So, you just need to deposit 90 euros for a Type C and Type D visa in cash or debit card at the embassy or the application center. But, children between the ages of six and twelve need to pay 45 euros.
Processing Time
Usually, the normal processing time for a Latvia visa application from Delhi is 10 working days in case you submit your application to the embassy. However, if you applied through an application center such as VFS Global, it will take another 2 days for postal delivery.
Therefore, you are advised to apply at least two weeks before the date of your departure.
Conclusion
Among all the Schengen countries, Latvia is a rather easy country to apply for a visa from Delhi. The documents required and the processing time is simple and quick.
Thus, the article above will be of great help to you during your journey to Latvia as it makes the entire process more straightforward.
FAQs
- Is it mandatory to provide biometric data when applying for a Latvia visa from Delhi?
Yes. Indians and Delhians need to provide their biometric data when traveling to the Schengen Area including the application process for a Latvia visa.
This step has been mandatory since 2015 as India is one of the countries whose citizens are required to provide their biometric data to be stored in the VIS.
- Can I apply for a visa on arrival in Riga, Latvia?
No. Indian citizens are not eligible to apply for a visa on arrival in Riga, Latvia. Therefore, Delhians need to go through the conventional paper visa issued by the Latvian Embassy or the Consulate in India before their trip to the target destination.
- Is it possible to travel to other Schengen countries on a Latvia visa?
Yes, a Latvia visa allows you to travel to 28 other Schengen countries for almost 90 days within six months. However, you can always use it for short-term purposes such as tourism, business, visit, etc. Moreover, your Latvia visa should be valid for the entire travel duration.
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