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MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT VISA TYPES AND CATEGORIES

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Forms of visas: individual visa and group visa

Types of visas: single-entry visa, double-entry visa and multiple-entry visa

Categories of visas:

• A – airport transit visa
• B – transit visa
• C – short term visa
• D – long term visa
• L – frontier visa

Visa of Category A or airport transit visa is an individual single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry transit visa enabling a foreign national to cross the airport transit zone once, two times or an unlimited number of times, respectively.

The maximum term of validity of an airport transit visa is three months.

Visa of category B or transit visa is an individual single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry transit visa, or a single-entry or double-entry group transit visa enabling a foreign national to enter the Republic of Latvia within the specified time period, once, two times or an unlimited number of times respectively, transit through its territory and depart from the Republic of Latvia.

The maximum length of stay in the Republic of Latvia with a transit visa is three days. A foreign sailor may be issued a transit visa with the length of stay of up to five days.

The maximum term of validity of a transit visa is six months.

Visa of category C or short-term visa is an individual single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry visa, or a single-entry or double-entry group visa enabling a foreign national to enter the Republic of Latvia within the specified period of time, once, two times or an unlimited number of times respectively, stay there for the term indicated in the visa and depart from the country.

The maximum length of stay in the Republic of Latvia with a short-term visa shall not exceed 90 days within a six-month period, counting from the day of entry.

The maximum term of validity of a short-term visa is one year.  A multiple entry short-stay visa may be issued with a period of validity up to two years for a foreigner who during two previous years has received a residence permit in Latvia or at least a multiple entry short-stay visa and has used it in accordance with the legislation and who has grounds for receipt a multiple entry visa.

The maximum term of validity of a short-term visa issued at a border control point is 15 (fifteen) days.

Visa of category D or long term visa is an individual single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry visa enabling a foreign national to enter the Republic of Latvia within the specified period of time, once, two times or an unlimited number of times respectively, stay there for the term indicated in the visa and depart from the country.

Long term visa is issued:

if a foreign national needs to stay in the Republic of Latvia for more than 90 days within a six-month period, counting from the day of entry, and the issuance of a visa:

• complies with international legislation;
• complies with the interests of Latvian state;
• is justified by force majeure;
• is justified by humanitarian considerations

if a foreign national arrives with the purpose of obtaining a residence permit in the Republic of Latvia on the basis of a decision made by the OCMA to grant a residence permit. In such cases a single-entry long–term visa with a term of validity of up to 30 days is issued.

With a long-term visa, the length of stay in the Republic of Latvia can exceed 90 days within a six-month period, counting from the day of entry.

The maximum term of validity of a long-term visa is one year.

Long-term visas with a note “Diplomatic visa” or “Service visa” are valid for a maximum period of five years.

Visa of category L or a frontier visa is an individual single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry visa enabling a foreign national to enter a certain territory determined by an international agreement within the specified period of time, once, two times or an unlimited number of times respectively, stay there for the specified term and depart from the said territory.

A frontier visa is issued in compliance with international agreements binding to the Republic of Latvia using a simplified procedure of visa issuance for the people of frontier territories. The maximum length of stay in the Republic of Latvia with a frontier visa cannot exceed 90 days in a six-month period, counting from the day of entry.

The maximum term of validity of a frontier visa is one year.

Currently, an agreement using a simplified procedure of visa issuance to residents of border areas has been established with the Republic of Belarus.