Published: 06.10.2020.
Updated: 16.07.2021.
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A visa is a sticker of a certain design affixed in a travel document. It shall certify that a person has requested an authorisation to enter and stay in the Republic of Latvia or in any Schengen Member State, or in several Schengen Member States or cross their territory in transit, and that the institution, which has issued the visa in accordance with the competence thereof, does not see any obstacle to the fact that the person enters and stays in the Republic of Latvia or in any Schengen Member State, or in several Schengen Member States during the period of time indicated in the visa and for the number of times indicated therein. However, visa does not, by itself, provide the right of entrance into the Republic of Latvia or any of Schengen Member States. 


More detailed information about visa types.

Who needs a visa?

List of countries citizens of which may enter the Republic of Latvia without a visa.

What are the regulations for a visa application for family members of citizens of a member state of the European Union or the European Economic Area, or Switzerland?

What visa facilitations are applied for citizens of the Russian Federation?


What visa facilitations are applied for citizens of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cape Verde, North Macedonia, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, and  Ukraine?

An airport transit visa is necessary for citizens (nationals) of certain countries if they possess a travel document issued by their respective countries.

Where can a visa be obtained?

Services as applying for a visa or visa extension are available by submitting documents by post.

  • Prior to entry into Latvia a visa shall be obtained at Latvian consular missions in foreign countries or at the consulates of other Schengen Member States which is competent to process Schengen visa application for travelling to Latvia.
  • In cases justified by the interests of Latvian state, force majeure or humanitarian considerations foreigners can apply for single-entry individual transit visas and short-term visas at the state border control points of the Republic of Latvia.
  • Documents for extending the duration of stay (issuance of new visa) can be submitted at any regional division of the OCMA or, if in Riga, only at the Riga 1st Division.

!!! Airport transit visas are issued only at the Republic of Latvia diplomatic or consular representative offices abroad !!!

Does a foreigner has rights to exercise economic activities in an employed capacity in cases a foreigner has received a visa or he/she does not need a visa to enter the Republic of Latvia?

Foreigners who enter the Republic of Latvia with or without visa are not allowed to exercise economic activities in an employed capacity. Foreigners can be employed only in cases that are stated in normative acts and if they have received a visa for employment and work permit.

Documents required for a visa application.

Procedure for having a letter of invitation approved.

Letter of invitation and related documents can be submitted at any regional office of the Office of Citizenship and Migration affairs.

Extension of the period of validity and/or the duration of stay of an issued visa

A foreigner legally residing in the Republic of Latvia with a C visa issued by the competent authority of Latvia or another Member State of the Schengen Agreement may, in exceptional cases, apply for an extension of the visa and/or the duration of their stay in Latvia:

  • The period of validity of the visa and/or the length of stay of a foreigner shall be extended only if the visa holder has provided proof of force majeure or humanitarian reasons that prevent them from leaving the territory of Latvia before the expiry date of the visa or the residence allowed in accordance with the visa. Such a visa shall be extended without the payment of a state fee.
  • The period of validity and/or duration of stay of a visa may also be extended where the visa holder provides evidence of serious personal reasons justifying the need for an extension of the period of validity or length of stay. Such extension shall be subject to a state duty of EUR 30.

The following documents must also be submitted for the extension of the visa.

The decision to extend the visa is taken by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. Documents for the extension of the visa shall be sent by a foreigner by post or courier mail to the Migration Department at Čiekurkalns 1. līnija, 3.k., Riga or to the departments of Daugavpils, Jurmala, Liepaja, Valmiera or Ventspils.

When extending a visa, account shall be taken of the provision that the total length of stay in the territory of the Member States to the Schengen Agreement may not exceed 90 days within a period of 180 days. The visa is extended by issuing a new visa sticker.

Extension of the period of stay with obtaining a D-type visa in the Republic of Latvia (Long-stay visa)

A foreigner legally staying in the Republic of Latvia and who needs to stay in Latvia for more than 90 days within a six-month period, the period of stay is extended by issuing a new D-type visa, only if documents are submitted confirming that obtaining a new visa:

  • complies with international legislation;
  • complies with the interests of the Republic of Latvia;
  • is justified by force majeure;
  • is justified by humanitarian considerations.

To extend a visa, you must submit the following documents.

 The decision to issue a visa is made after evaluating the situation, which is confirmed by the submitted or presented documents.

The documents required to obtain a new visa must submitted by a foreigner no later than three days before the expiration date of the previous visa.