Latvia Visa Guide 2026: Types, Requirements, and Processing Times

(LATVIA) Latvia’s 2025–2026 entry changes mean many travelers must complete online pre-arrival registration from September 1, 2025, and visa-free visitors will need ETIAS travel authorization in late 2026 before entering the Schengen area. If you’re applying for a Latvian visa, the core process stays familiar, but deadlines, digital border checks, and document standards now matter more than ever.

For short visits, Latvia follows the Schengen 90 days in any 180-day period rule, so your trip plan must fit the region’s calendar, not just Latvia’s. For study, work, remote work, or residence, you’ll use Latvia’s national long-stay route and should plan for longer checks and more paperwork.

Latvia’s Schengen position and who needs a visa

Latvia sits inside the European Union and the Schengen zone, so a Latvian short-stay visa normally lets you move across Schengen countries during the visa’s validity. That’s useful for multi-stop travel but also means your documents must meet shared Schengen standards.

Many nationalities can visit Latvia without a visa for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, including citizens of the United States (🇺🇸), Canada (🇨🇦), Australia, Japan, and others. If you’re not visa-exempt, or you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you’ll need a visa or residence permit before travel.

The two big entry shifts: pre-arrival registration and digital borders

Pre-arrival registration (from September 1, 2025)

Foreign nationals entering Latvia without a Latvian visa or residence permit must submit information online at least 48 hours before arrival using Latvia’s official pre-arrival registration portal: https://eta.gov.lv.

You should expect to enter:
– Purpose of travel
– Planned time and place of stay
– Travel route and contact details
– Any elected positions held by you or relatives
– Current or former status as a government official or service member

After submission the system sends an automatic email notification 48 hours later. If your plans change, update the details no later than 48 hours before entering Latvia.

Important: Failing to register or to update changed plans within the 48-hour window can lead to entry delays or denial.

Entry/Exit System (from October 12, 2025)

Latvia’s border points now use the EU’s digital Entry/Exit System (EES) for third-country nationals, replacing many passport stamps with electronic records.

• Overstay calculations become more exact.
• Border officers are more likely to question dates, purpose, and proof of onward travel.
• EES cross-checks make past compliance and planned itineraries easier for officers to verify.

ETIAS in late 2026: what it is — and is not

Starting in late 2026, visa-exempt travelers must get ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) before visiting Latvia and other Schengen countries.

• ETIAS is a travel authorization, not a visa.
• The application is online and usually takes only minutes.
• ETIAS is valid for up to three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
• ETIAS does not allow you to work, study, or live in Latvia beyond 90 days.

Who does not need ETIAS:
– Citizens of Schengen countries.
– Travelers already holding a valid Schengen visa.

Who still follows the standard visa process:
– Nationals of countries without visa-waiver agreements (for example, India, China, Russia) continue to apply through the standard Latvian visa process.

Choosing the right Latvian visa: short stay vs long stay

A strong application starts with picking the visa that matches your real purpose. Mismatches often trigger refusals even when documents appear tidy.

Short-stay Schengen visas (up to 90 days)

Common purposes:
– Tourist visa — travel and leisure
– Business visa — meetings, conferences, business activity

Processing:
– Standard: 15 calendar days from submission
– Can extend up to 45 calendar days in individual cases

Long-stay national visas (more than 90 days)

Common routes:
– Student route — for accepted study programs
– Work route — for people with Latvian employment offers
– D visa (national long-stay visa) — for work, study, obtaining residence permits, or remote work

Processing:
– Typical decision: 15 calendar days from submission of all documents
– Can extend up to 60 calendar days if extra review is needed

Document checklist that drives most approvals or refusals

Latvia’s visa rules focus on identity, lawful purpose, and proof you can support yourself. For most applicants, these items decide the outcome.

Key documents (required for most applications):
– Passport issued within the past 10 years, valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen area, with at least two blank pages
– Completed visa application form
– One color photo
– Travel medical insurance valid across all Schengen Member States
– Proof of accommodation or enough means to cover accommodation
– Documents showing trip purpose, e.g., invitations, enrollment letters, employment papers
– Visa fee payment proof where required

Financial proof baseline:
– €14 per day for stays not exceeding 30 days
– €780 for stays longer than 30 days

Timing rules:
– Short-stay applications: no earlier than 6 months before travel and no later than 15 calendar days before the trip
– Long-stay visas: no earlier than 3 months before the intended visit

Table — quick reference for passport and financials

The Latvia visa journey in five steps (with realistic timeframes)

1. Match your plan to the correct visa category (same day).

– Write a one-paragraph trip purpose statement and keep it consistent across forms, invitations, bookings, and insurance dates.

1. Build your document pack (3–14 days for most people).

– Order bank statements, book accommodation, buy compliant medical insurance, and confirm passport compliance.

1. File the application and lock in an appointment (1–30+ days).

– Appointment slots vary by location; book early, especially before summer and holidays.

1. Attend the interview and submit biometrics (one appointment).

– Expect questions about work, finances, and travel history. Be direct and consistent; recent Schengen refusals affect scrutiny.

1. Wait for the decision and plan travel only after issuance (15–60 days).

– Short-stay: usually 15 calendar days (possible up to 45).
– Long-stay: usually 15 calendar days (possible up to 60).

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the cleanest files share one trait: every date lines up, from flight intent to hotel nights to insurance coverage.

What authorities check, and what travelers should expect

Latvian and Schengen decision-makers typically focus on four themes:

• Credible purpose: Documents must match your stated reason for travel.
• Means and stability: Bank records should appear normal and verifiable.
• Return ties: Employment, study, family, or other commitments at home support intention to leave on time.
• Schengen compliance: Past entries/exits, especially under EES, must align with the 90/180 rule.

At the border, officers may still ask for proof of funds, accommodation, return ticket, and insurance even if you already hold a visa. Pre-arrival registration and EES make cross-checking faster and more precise.

Border officers will focus on matching your real itinerary and supporting documents. Keep originals and digital copies accessible.

Long-term options: investment residency and the 2026 startup route

Golden Visa / investment residency

• Minimum threshold: €50,000 (options include real estate, bank deposits, business investment, government bonds).
• Program in operation since 2010.
• Processing commonly described as one to three months from initial application.
• Successful applicants receive a 5-year residency permit.
• Permanent residency requires living in Latvia four years out of five, with at least 183 days per year.
• Russian and Belarusian applicants are not eligible.
• Spouses and dependent children 18 and under can be included; adult children and parents apply separately.

Startup visa changes for 2026

• Ideas alone no longer qualify. The company must already be operating.
• Demonstrable customer demand is required via bank transactions and payments.
• Eligible sectors target tech-driven, scalable models: SaaS, fintech, AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, deep tech, biotech, clean-tech.
• Typical startup timeline (indicative):
• ~20 business days for business plan review
• 5–10 business days for document control
• 10 business days for a D-type visa
• 3 business days for a residence card once in Latvia
• Company registration: about 1.5 weeks

Where to verify official requirements before you submit

Visa rules and fees can change. The Latvian government’s most reliable public guidance sits on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs site, including consular contacts and visa basics, available through the official pages: https://www.mfa.gov.lv/en.

Recommended submission-day practices:
– Print or save the checklist you used on the day you submit.
– Keep copies of every document and email, including pre-arrival registration confirmation if it applies.

Final reminder: follow the latest official instructions and retain documentation of everything you submit.