Basic Travel Requirements for Nigerians visiting
Latvia
Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to
apply for a Latvian Visa.
- Fully completed and signed visa application form
- Two recently taken photos. Both photos must be taken within the last three months and must follow all visa photo requirements.
- A valid passport which is not older than 10 years. It should be valid for at least three more months beyond the date you plan to leave Latvia.
- A round trip reservation or itinerary. This must include dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Latvia.
- A travel insurance policy. A document that proves you have travel health insurance for the whole Schengen territory, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros in case of any medical emergency as illnesses, accidents and even repatriation in case of death.
- Proof of accommodation. A document that shows where you will be accommodated throughout your stay in Latvia.
- Proof of financial means. Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself financially throughout your stay in the country. This can be one of the following:
- Bank account statement – that shows you have enough money in your account for the trip. The statement shall be no older than 3 months.
- Sponsorship Letter – by another person that confirms they will be financially supporting your trip to Latvia. In order for this letter to be valid, it must be accompanied by a bank statement of the sponsor, no older than three months.
- Proof of paid visa fee. €60 for adults and €35 for children from 6 to 12 years old.
Latvia Visa for Nigerians
Facts about Latvia
Types of Latvia Visa
| Types of Visa | Processing Time | Duration of Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa | 10 -15 days | 90 days |
| Business visa | 10 -15 days | 90 days |
| Student visa | 10 -15 days | 1 year |
| Work visa | 10 -15 days | 1 year |
General Requirements for Latvia Visa
- Fully completed and signed visa application form
- Two recently taken photos. Both photos must be taken within the last three months and must follow all visa photo requirements.
- A valid passport which is not older than 10 years. It should be valid for at least three more months beyond the date you plan to leave Latvia.
- A round trip reservation or itinerary. This must include dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Latvia.
- A travel insurance policy. A document that proves you have travel health insurance for the whole Schengen territory, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros in case of any medical emergency as illnesses, accidents and even repatriation in case of death.
- Proof of accommodation. A document that shows where you will be accommodated throughout your stay in Latvia.
- Proof of financial means. Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself financially throughout your stay in the country. This can be one of the following:
- Bank account statement – that shows you have enough money in your account for the trip. The statement shall be no older than 3 months.
- Sponsorship Letter – by another person that confirms they will be financially supporting your trip to Latvia. In order for this letter to be valid, it must be accompanied by a bank statement of the sponsor, no older than three months.
- Proof of paid visa fee. €60 for adults and €35 for children from 6 to 12 years old.
Latvia Tourist Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- If you are planning to go on a visit to Latvia, you need a tourist visa.
- The tourist visa applicant must download and fill the visa application form completely.
- It is advised that for your own good you fill the application form with all honesty. One of the common reasons visas gets denied is because of discordant information.
- Write your name as indicated on your passport and do not add words like “married name” and “nee”.
- Your passport and copies of your previous visas – valid for at least 3 months beyond return date – are required. Your passport must have at least two blank pages.
- A cover letter stating the purpose of visit to Latvia and itinerary should be submitted.
- A copy of your return-ticket reservation with dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Latvia is required. It is not recommended to purchase the ticket before obtaining the visa – if not otherwise required.
- Applicants must also show proof of accommodation for the whole duration of their intended stay in Latvia.
- If married, a copy of the marriage certificate should be submitted.
- The Latvia tourist visa is valid for only 90 days. You are advised to exit the country before your visa expires.
- Retired persons are required to submit their pension statement of the latest 6 months.
Latvia Business Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- The Latvian business visa is for travelers intending to visit the country for business.
- Business visa is usually valid for stays no more than 90 days. If you will be traveling a lot and not only in one Schengen country it’s recommendable to fill in the “multiple entry” gap in the application form.
- This way you will be able to enter and leave Schengen Zone as you please for the amount of time allowed on your visa issued.
- You will need to provide an invitation letter from the Latvia company you will be visiting. This letter will also contain their detailed address, accompanied with the date and actual purpose of your trip.
- If the intention is to attend a meeting or seminar, confirmation/invitation from the conference organizer/institution is required. If you are employed, you will have to present a certificate from your employer stating or allowing your business travel.
- While attending the interview, take all of the required documents for business visa with you. Your bank statement from the last 6 months is needed. Self-employed people will submit proof of business registration.
- The earliest time to apply for a Business visa is three months before your planned trip and the latest is at most 15 working days before your intend to travel to Europe for business purposes.
- You cannot be gainfully employed while you are in the country with this visa.
- It must be made clear whether your trip will be sponsored by the employer or the local company
Latvia Student Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- An international student who wants to pursue an educational course in Latvia will have to obtain a student visa.
- To be eligible for a Latvian student visa, you must provide proof of being enrolled as a full-time student in one of Latvia’s institutions for higher education.
- You must also provide proof of full payment of tuition fee for the course.
- Your medical insurance must cover the total number of days you will be staying in Latvia as a student.
- The insurance must be valid for all Schengen countries for a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000.
- Student visa applicants must appear for a Residence Permit interview at the embassy.
- A residence permit is initially issued for one year and should be renewed annually. After five years of legal residence it is possible to apply for permanent residency. After ten years of legal residence it is possible to apply for Latvian citizenship (EU citizenship).
- Under normal conditions, your student visa will only take 7 days to process. But this is not certain and sometimes processing could take up to a month.
- A single mistake can cause your visa rejection. Applicants are advised to fill all forms carefully.
- Applicants must also show proof of accommodation for the whole duration of their intended stay in the country.
- Upon entering Latvia, students are required to apply for a residence permit at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of Latvia (OCMA).
- Applicants may be required to sit for an interview before residence permit is issued.
Latvia Work Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- If you’re planning on taking a job in Latvia, you need to get a work permit first.
- As many other fast-growing economies, Latvia boasts diverse top sectors, with many work opportunities for expats falling in the category of international industries related to exports.
- If foreign nationals wish to reside in Latvia for more than 90 days within a 6-month period, they must obtain a visa or residence permit.
- The applicant must provide the original employment contract in his/her application.
- The employment contract must be from a Latvian registered business.
- The employment contract my have a ‘residential permit’ included.
- If you are an entrepreneur wishing to open a business in Latvia or are a businessman/woman intending to manage a Latvian business you are legally required to obtain a Latvia Residence Permit.
- Holding a residence permit gives an applicant the right to reside and seek employment in Latvia.
- A medical certificate stating good health of applicant will also be submitted.
- Applicants are also required to submit relevant marriage and birth certificates of spouse and dependants traveling with them.
- A work permit is not necessary if the traveler is coming to Latvia on the basis of an invitation from an educational or scientific institution, or if he/she is an individual scientist coming to Latvia in relation to scientific research or participation in the implementation of an educational programme and the intended length of stay in the Republic of Latvia does not exceed 14 days.
- A residence permit will allow a foreign national to stay in Latvia temporarily or permanently for periods exceeding 90 days in a six-month period.
Latvia Visa Fees
Tourist visa
100.00 (USD)
Business visa
100.00 (USD)
Student visa
100.00 (USD)
Work visa
100.00 (USD)
Latvia Visa Application Centres & Embassies in
Nigeria
Abuja
Latvia currently does not maintain a personal embassy in Nigeria, but the Swedish embassy in Abuja represents Slovakia and Latvia.
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