Visa Information

Overview

If you plan to go to The Republic of Latvia, Switzerland and Estonia and stay for a period not exceeding 90 days in any 180 day period, and your nationality is not on the visa free list, you need a Schengen travel visa (Visa C).

Please note that in order to apply for a visa at Visa Application Centre or the Consular Section of the Embassy of The Republic of Latvia, your only destination or your main destination (longest duration of stay) must be Latvia, Estonia or Switzerland. If an equal amount of nights will be spent in different Schengen states during a single trip to the Schengen area, then the Schengen visa must be obtained from the Schengen state, which will be entered first. For more detailed information please follow the link to the website of the Ministry of Foreign affairs of Latvia.

Passport has to be valid for at least three months beyond the intended stay in The Republic of Latvia; issued not more than 10 years ago and needs to contain at least two empty pages available for visa and stamps. The earliest that visa applications can be accepted is 6 months before the planned journey.

Visa Application Centre staff will inform if there are missing supporting documents to the visa application, but will not be able to assist with completion of the application. In case of additional questions regarding the visa application, the Embassy of The Republic of Latvia in Uzbekistan may require an interview with the applicant or may request additional supporting documents.

Visa Application Centre accepts applications from nationals of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan (exclusively to Latvia) as well as permanent residents of Uzbekistan. For detailed information on visa application please visit the website of Embassy of The Republic of Latvia in Tashkent

The acceptance of a Schengen visa application and supporting documents by VFS does not guarantee the issuance of a Schengen visa.

Clients are solely responsible for the applications they submit. Any false documents or other misrepresentation of information in support of their application will have a direct bearing on the judgment of their application by the Embassy.

Holders of valid Schengen visas are still subject to immigration control upon arrival in the Schengen Area and are not necessarily guaranteed entry into any of the Schengen countries, even though they may hold a valid Schengen visa for these countries.

A foreign national whose short-stay visa has been refused, annulled or revoked by the Embassy, has the right to appeal that decision before the Director of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Visa Fees

Important Note:

1. Please note all the fees are paid in the visa application center by using Uzcard cards, Cash, Visa or Master Card. Also, please kindly note that corporate cards are not accepted for payment. Please call at helpdesk or visit visa application center for more information.
2. Visa fees once paid is not refundable under any circumstances including visa rejection.

VFS SERVICE FEE

Apart from the visa fee, VFS service charge of the equivalent of 30 Euros (with Biometrics) and 29 Euro (without biometrics) inclusive of VAT per application will be levied for clients applying at the visa application centre (children under 6 years exempt from VFS fees). This is applicable for all categories of visa applications.

Documents Required

1. BASIC DOCUMENTS

   1. Passport

      Passport with a period of validity extending at least three month after the intended date of departure from Latvia or other Member State, containing at least two blank pages, and issued within the previous ten years.

      Uzbekistan citizens can apply for a visa with the biometric citizen’s passport only. A valid permission for traveling abroad (OVIR) is a compulsory.

      Internal passport original and copy of all the pages

      Original and copies of international passport

   2. Visa application form

      Visa application form completed online, printed and signed by the applicant.

   3. One colour photo

      A photo (size 35mm x 45 mm) must be taken in last 6 month and it should be on white background.

   4. Travel medical insurance policy

      Travel medical insurance valid for the whole Schengen area and covering the entire period of the intended visit in the Schengen area and additional 15 days – “the period of grace”. The minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR including the costs of urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment in case of an illness as well as repatriation in the event of death. Medical insurance policy can be obtained in applicant’s country of residence, or in any other country, or taken out by the inviting person. It is important that the insurance meets all the above requirements.

2. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

   1. Invitation

      For Latvia – Invitation approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (must be active), see link https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/ or Invitation approved by the Embassy of Latvia or Invitation approved by the notary in Latvia or Invitation letter from the inviting company or organization

      For Estonia – Notary approved invitation.

      For Switzerland – invitation.

      The invitation should be dated not later than 6 months prior to the application date.

   2. Round trip ticket reservation
   3. Proof of accommodation

   4. Proof of sufficient financial means

      Original private bank account statement showing the transactions during the last three (3) months, duly stamped and signed by the bank;

      In addition:

      If the applicant is employed

      • Pay slips for the last six months;
      • Employment contract;
      • Employment registration book(with copies);

      If the applicant is a company owner or self-employed

      • Certificate or registration of the company;

      If the applicant is sponsored

      • Proof of sponsorship and proof of sponsor’s income;

      If the applicant is retired

      • Pensioner’s registration book(with copies);

   5. Proof of ties with Uzbekistan:

      • Proof of domicile of the applicant and family members issued by the local municipality;
      • Marriage and child birth certificate, if applicable (with copies);

   6. If the applicant is a minor

      • If the minor travels with one parent only, written consent certified by public notary(not older 2 month) of the other parent or guardian, except in cases of a parent having the care or custody;
      • If the minor travels without parents, written consent certified by public notary (not older 2 month) of both parents or guardians having the care and custody of the applicant;
      • Copies of the passport of the parents. If not applicable, birth certificate of the applicant.

3. ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS

   Documents to be submitted depending on the travel purpose

   1. Business

      • Invitation from the inviting company or organization;
      • Cover letter from the applicant’s employer

      Both letters must as a minimum confirm:

      1. The applicant’s identity
      2. The purpose of the journey (meetings, conferences, training or business related events);

   2. International carrier driver

      • Driving license;
      • Transport company’s registration certificate;
      • Companies’ agreement on ensuring carrier services;
      • Certificate of Professional Competence;
      • License certificate for international transporter.
      • New driver's license

   3. Journeys undertaken for the purpose of study, research, or other types of internship

      • Certificate of admission or registration at an educational establishment for the purpose of attending academic or vocational courses, or cover letter from the inviting company;
      • Student cards or certificates of the current enrolled establishment.

   4. Journeys undertaken for the purpose of tourism

      • Certificate of the travel agency confirming the booking of an organized trip or any other appropriate document indicating the envisaged travel plans;
      • Marriage certificate, if applicant is married and cannot provide evidence of marital status in the passport.

   5. Journeys undertaken for the purpose of family/friends visit

      • Marriage certificate, if applicant is married;
      • Documents proving family relations, if applicant is visiting relatives.

   6. Journeys undertaken for cultural, sport or religious events,

      • Invitation, enrolments or programme;
      • Organizer’s confirmation of the event and participants.

   7. Journeys of members of official delegations

      • Official invitation from the organizing party;

      • Verbal note issued by the authority concerned confirming:

        1. The identity of the applicant;
        2. The purpose of the journeys (meetings, consultations, negotiations or events held by intergovernmental organizations);
        3. The period of intended stay;
        4. Means of subsistence.

   8. Journeys undertaken for the purpose of medical treatment

      • Certificate from a medical doctor or a medical institution confirming the need of specific medical treatment to be received;
      • Official document of the receiving medical institution confirming that specific medical treatment can be performed and patient can be accepted;
      • Proof of pre-payment of the treatment;
      • Any other correspondence with the receiving medical institution.

1. Airport transit

   Airport transit visa may be issued to stay in an international transit zone at the airport of Latvia for nationals of several countries who need to change an airplane at the airport of Latvia. In principle an airport transit visa allowing to stay in an international transit zone is required for citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka or foreigners holding travel documents issued by the aforementioned countries.

   • Visa or other entry permit for the third country of destination.
   • Documents in relation to the onward journey to the final destination after the intended airport transit.

NB! In the absence of a visa history in the Schengen countries, it is necessary to provide a document on related relations in Uzbekistan (original passport of the husband / wife and children, birth certificate of children, certificate of marriage, etc.).

NB! If necessary, the consular officer may request additional documents.

Photo Specifications

Please provide one recent colour photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself, meeting the following requirements:

• Taken against a light (white or off-white) background so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear quality and with the face in focus
• Full face: non-smiling, no sunglasses, no hat/cap or any head covering, unless the applicant wears such items because of his/her religious belief or ethnic background
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print)
• Photograph attached (paper clipped) to the Visa Application Form

If the photographs presented do not meet these requirements, then the visa application will be considered incomplete and applicant will be asked to take new photographs.

Processing Time

The minimum processing time of a visa application is 15 calendar days, so applicants are advised to leave enough time - between the appointment date and travel date - for the Embassy to process their visa application; no guarantees can be given on the visa application’s return date as delays may occur.

For certain nationalities (see list here) the visa application needs consultation from the other Schengen countries and therefore the minimum processing time takes 15 working days.

In order to avoid any delays in the visa application process, it is paramount that the visa application is complete and its documents submitted are as per the Embassy’s requirements (see Documents Required for the different visa categories).

Download Form

For Latvia, every applicant needs to provide a signed printout of the Schengen visa application form that has to be completed online.

EEA/EU and Swiss national family member

Entry into and residence in Latvia for citizens of the European Union (hereinafter – EU citizens), and their family members, are regulated by the Cabinet Regulation of August 30, 2011, No. 675 „Procedures for the Entry and Residence in the Republic of Latvia of Citizens of the Union and their Family Members”.

Information on the entry and residence in Latvia for citizens of the European Union Member State and their family members is available on the website of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

Overview

If you plan to stay in Latvia for a longer period (more than 90 days and up to 12 months) on a work visa, you need to apply for a national visa to Latvia at the Latvian Visa Application Center. For all other purposes, to obtain a long-term visa to Latvia, you must contact the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Tashkent.

National visas are issued for the duration of no more than one (1) year.

Visa Fees

Important Note:

1. Please note all the fees are paid in the visa application center by using Uzcard cards, cash, VISA. Also, please kindly note that corporate cards are not accepted for payment. Please call at helpdesk or visit visa application center for more information.
2. Visa fees once paid is not refundable under any circumstances including visa rejection.

VFS SERVICE FEE

Apart from the visa fee, VFS service charge of the equivalent of 29 Euro (without biometrics) inclusive of VAT per application will be levied for clients applying at the visa application centre (children under 6 years exempt from VFS fees). This is applicable for all categories of visa applications.

Documents Required

1. Passport or other travel document:

   • the expiration date of which is three months longer than the period up to which the visa is requested;
   • in which at least two pages provided for visas are free.
   • which has been published within the last 10 years;
   • Foreign passport must be signed by the owner; copies of pages with visas, as well as entry and exit stamps of both passports.
2. A completed visa application form (link: https://epak.pmlp.gov.lv/NVIS.EService001.WebSite/), which the visa applicant signed with his own hand;
3. One color photograph (35 mm x 45 mm);
4. Booking an air ticket or a copy of an air ticket - one way is enough.
5. Bank statement for the last 3 months; (Transaction history)
6. The health insurance policy is valid throughout the territory of the Schengen countries, valid for the entire trip, during which the foreigner assumes his stay in the Schengen countries. The insurance policy must have a minimum amount of EUR 42,600 and must cover the costs of emergency medical care and / or treatment in case of illness, as well as cover the costs of repatriation in the event of the death of a person.
7. Confirmation of labor validity: a copy of an employment contract, documents confirming qualifications - diplomas, letters of recommendation from previous employers or certificates of work in a specific profession, a copy of a work record book.

8. When applying for a visa, you must pay the state fee for the examination of the application for a visa. The state fee is 90 euros.
   An applicant for a visa must additionally submit supporting documents:

   • Invitation - xxx-xxxxxx or PASxxx-xxxxxx
   • Documents indicating the purpose of the trip;
9. Other additional documents.

Photo Specifications

Please provide one recent colour photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself, meeting the following requirements:

• Taken against a light (white or off-white) background so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear quality and with the face in focus
• Full face: non-smiling, no sunglasses, no hat/cap or any head covering, unless the applicant wears such items because of his/her religious belief or ethnic background
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print)
• Photograph attached (paper clipped) to the Visa Application Form

If the photographs presented do not meet these requirements, then the visa application will be considered incomplete and applicant will be asked to take new photographs.

Processing Time

The embassy makes a decision on the application for a visa within 15 days from the date of receipt of the application and the documents necessary for issuing a visa. The period for making a decision on a visa application may be extended up to 60 calendar days in individual cases, in particular when an additional verification of the application is required.

The delivery time for documents from the Visa Application Center to the Embassy takes from 1 to 7 days, in accordance with the Visa Code (Art. 43 (11) Visa Code; Art. 23 Visa Code; Directive 2004/38)

Download Form

For Latvia, every applicant needs to provide a signed printout of the Schengen visa application form that has to be completed online.