On December 21, 2007 Latvia, along with the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia, joined the Schengen border-free zone. The Schengen agreement, which allows passport-free travel across the area, now embraces 24 nations. Those travellers requiring a visa for Latvia require a Schengen visa. A valid Schengen visa is valid for entry into the territory of Latvia. This agreement abolishes land and maritime borders of Latvia with Lithuania and Estonia; thus this border has become the internal border of the Schengen space. The abolition of border control at the internal air borders is planned for 30 March 2008. Latvia's border with neighboring countries Russia and Belarus, which are not members of the Schengen Treaty, has now become the external border of the Schengen Area. Border controls on the external border of the Schengen Area are maintained. With the accession of Latvia to the Schengen Area, Latvia's diplomatic and consular representations abroad have commenced the issuance of a uniform or Schengen visa, which is valid in the territory of all the states – members to the Schengen Treaty. Documents required for applying for Schengen visa for travel to Latvia: -Passport or other travel document (containing at least two blank pages and with an expiration date that exceeds that of the visa by at least three months) -Visa application form filled out and signed by the applicant -1 passport-size recent color photo (35mm x 45mm) -A travel medical insurance policy which is valid in all Schengen countries and which covers the entire period of the visit in the Schengen area (the minimum amount of the insurance is 30 000 EUR) -Pre-paid, pre-addressed secure mail envelope (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Express Mail or equivalent for return of your passport. Regular mail envelopes are not accepted.) -Payment of visa application fee in money order only. If visa application is submitted by mail the fee is: 1. Citizens of the Russian Federation, Ukraine or Moldova - $55.00 2. Citizens of all other countries as well as holders of US travel document - $95.00 -means of subsistence to stay in Latvia and all other Schengen countries, as well means to return to state of residence (such as records of bank account transactions in the past months or tax returns) -copy of US permanent resident card ("green card") or a valid US visa -purpose of entry or visitation (such as an invitation number approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs) -means of transport for arriving and leaving Latvia (such as round-trip tickets or a reservation for tickets) -place of residence in Latvia (such as a hotel reservation or an invitation approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, if staying with the inviting party) -proof that you will return to your state of residence (such as a letter from the employer or an educational institution) *Consular officers will decide upon the kind of supporting documents that must be submitted. This depends on the purpose of the visit, traveling experience, ties to the state of residence, the current situation in the state of residence and the procedure of visa issuance of other Schengen countries. For more detailed information please contact the respective country of travel and/or check the information on the homepage of the respective country of travel. If a foreigner applies for a transit visa, he has to hold a valid visa of the state that he intends to enter after leaving the Schengen area, except when a foreigner is not required a visa to enter the country of his destination after exiting the Schengen area. !The processing fee of a visa is non-refundable even if the visa is denied. The Embassy is not responsible for loss of documents in the mail. Mailing Address: The Embassy of Latvia 2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington D.C., 20008 Telephone: (202)-328-2840 Fax: (202)-328-2860 Attendance Hours for Consular Department to submit documents: Monday: 2pm-4pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10am-12pm Application form (Word document) for a Schengen visa (in English) Application form (pdf file) for a Schengen visa (in English) Application form for a long-term visa (Word document) (for diplomats and individuals requesting a residence permit) Application form for a long-term visa (pdf file) (for diplomats and individuals requesting a residence permit) For additional information, please see: Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. In order to travel to Latvia, U.S. citizens are required to hold a valid U.S. citizen passport with a term of validity that exceeds the intended period of stay in Latvia by at least three months and a valid health insurance policy for international travel, which covers all costs relating to emergency medical care during the stay in Latvia, including the transportation costs from Latvia to the place of permanent residence of the individual in case of his/her severe medical condition or death. -------------------------------------- ADDITIONAL LINKS: Entry of citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and the Swiss Confederation into Latvia Latvian diplomatic and consular missions abroad
Honorary Consuls authorized to accept visa applications.
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| Latvia joins Schengen Zone On December 21 Latvia joined the Schengen Zone; for those requiring a visa to enter Latvia, a Schengen visa is now required. |