Riga’s Art Nouveau old town, Baltic beaches and a low cost of living make Latvia an easy, affordable Baltic break — perfect alongside Lithuania and Estonia. A Latvia tourist visa is a short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa for up to 90 days, applied through VFS Global. This is your complete India-specific guide. At FastVisa123 (fastvisa123.com) we file Latvian Schengen applications for Indians for a flat fee.
Latvia tourist visa at a glance
Type: Schengen short-stay (Type C), up to 90 days. Apply via: VFS Global (partner for the Latvian Embassy & Consulate). Fee: €90 adult + VFS service fee. Funds: the official daily figure is low (~€14/day), but show a healthy €60–80/day in practice. Best for: Riga and the Baltic coast. FastVisa123 builds the whole file.
Where to apply
Latvia uses VFS Global as the preferred outsourced partner for the Latvian Embassy and Consulate in India — apply at the centre for your region. It pairs naturally with Lithuania and Estonia on a Baltic loop; pick your consulate via our which-country guide.
Latvia visa fees (2026)
| Applicant | Visa fee |
|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | €90 (about ₹9,000) |
| Child 6–12 | €45 |
| Child under 6 | Free |
| VFS service fee | Separate — non-refundable |
Funds & documents
Latvia’s published minimum is low (around €14 per day for stays up to 30 days), but in practice show a healthy €60–80 per day via 3–6 months of bank statements and ITR/Form 16 — a comfortable buffer always strengthens the file. Standard documents apply: passport (10 years, valid 3+ months beyond return, 2 blank pages), two photos, €30,000 insurance (insurance guide), a cover letter and itinerary, round-trip flight reservation, accommodation, and an NOC/leave letter. See proof of funds.
Latvia visa: do vs don’t
✅ Do
Show a healthy buffer well above the €14/day minimum. Build a clear Riga/Baltic itinerary. Keep dates consistent. Apply early in summer.
❌ Don’t
Don’t rely on the bare €14/day minimum — show more. Don’t show a sudden lump-sum deposit. Don’t tick Tourism for a family visit. Don’t buy non-refundable tickets before approval.
Approval green flags vs refusal red flags
🟢 Green flags (officers love these)
A steady 3–6 month bank balance backed by ITR; a clear, dated day-by-day itinerary; a confirmed return ticket and matching hotels; strong ties to India (job, family, property); an approved leave letter or NOC; and one consistent story across every document.
🔴 Red flags (officers refuse for these)
A sudden lump-sum deposit days before applying; a vague “Europe tour” with no real plan; dates that disagree across form, tickets and hotels; weak or no ties to India; ticking Tourism for a family visit; and applying at the wrong consulate.
💬 What applicants are actually saying
The loudest 2026 complaint in traveller communities is appointment slots vanishing within minutes, plus refusals for weak funds or unclear plans. Read real outcomes in our approved-or-rejected stories, the rejection-reasons guide, and how to grab a slot in our appointment-slots guide.
Processing & after the decision
Latvia usually decides within about 15 working days. Apply early in summer when slots fill fast. A formal interview is uncommon (interview reality). If refused, reapply or appeal; biometrics may be reused within ~5 years.
Get your Latvia tourist visa filed right
FastVisa123 builds your funds and document set and files the whole Latvian application — flat ₹10,000. Indian travellers, start at fastvisa123.com.
Latvia tourist visa: 32 common questions answered
1. Where do I apply for a Latvia tourist visa in India?
FastVisa123: Through VFS Global, the preferred partner for the Latvian Embassy and Consulate in India. Apply at the centre for your region.
2. How much money do I need for a Latvia visa?
FastVisa123: Latvia’s published minimum is low — about €14 per day — but show a healthy €60 to 80 per day in practice, backed by ITR, since a comfortable buffer always strengthens the file.
3. Is Latvia’s €14/day really enough?
FastVisa123: It is the bare official minimum, not a safe target. Showing only that looks weak; a healthy balance covering your real costs with a buffer is what gets approved.
4. What is the Latvia tourist visa fee?
FastVisa123: €90 for adults (about ₹9,000), €45 for children 6–12, free under 6, plus a separate VFS service fee.
5. How long does a Latvia tourist visa take?
FastVisa123: Usually around 15 working days from your VFS appointment, longer in the summer peak. Apply several weeks ahead.
6. Does my Latvia visa cover Riga and the Baltics?
FastVisa123: Yes — a Schengen visa issued by Latvia covers all of Latvia including Riga, and the whole Schengen Area, so you can combine it with Lithuania and Estonia.
7. Is Latvia a budget-friendly Schengen trip?
FastVisa123: Yes — Latvia and the Baltics are among the cheapest parts of Europe, so your funds stretch well while still meeting the requirement with a buffer.
8. Do I need ITR or Form 16 for a Latvia visa?
FastVisa123: Yes, it is recommended — the last 2 to 3 years of ITR or Form 16 to show your income genuinely supports your balance.
9. How many months of bank statements does Latvia want?
FastVisa123: Typically 3 to 6 months, bank-issued, showing a steady balance rather than a sudden last-minute deposit.
10. Should I tick Tourism or visiting family on the form?
FastVisa123: Tick the true purpose — visiting family/friends if you are staying with relatives, not Tourism. Mismatching is a common refusal reason.
11. What accommodation proof does Latvia accept?
FastVisa123: Hotel or Airbnb bookings covering your whole stay, or a host’s invitation, matching your itinerary dates.
12. Do I need a confirmed flight ticket or a reservation?
FastVisa123: A confirmed round-trip reservation is enough for the application. Buy the paid ticket only after approval to avoid losing money if refused.
13. What travel insurance does Latvia require?
FastVisa123: Travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 cover, valid across the Schengen Area for your whole trip, including emergency medical and repatriation.
14. What are the photo requirements?
FastVisa123: Two recent 35×45 mm photos on a white background, neutral expression, no glasses, taken within 6 months. See our photo guide on fastvisa123.com.
15. Can I combine Latvia with Lithuania and Estonia?
FastVisa123: Yes — the three Baltic states are all Schengen members, so one visa covers a Riga–Vilnius–Tallinn loop. Apply to whichever is your main destination.
16. Do I apply to Latvia if visiting other Schengen countries?
FastVisa123: Only if Latvia is your main destination — the country of most nights or main purpose. Otherwise apply to that country.
17. What cover letter does Latvia expect?
FastVisa123: A clear day-by-day plan, your purpose, funding and reasons to return to India, consistent with your documents. Use our template on fastvisa123.com.
18. What are common reasons Latvia refuses a visa?
FastVisa123: Weak or inconsistent funds, an unclear purpose, poor ties to India, or missing documents. The bar is the standard Schengen one for genuine tourists.
19. Does Latvia interview applicants or verify by phone?
FastVisa123: A formal interview is uncommon for tourists. The mission may ask questions or verify details, so keep your documents consistent and contacts reachable.
20. How many entries and how long is the Latvia visa valid?
FastVisa123: It varies by case; first-timers often get a single or short multiple-entry visa, while travel history can earn longer validity. Days are capped at 90 in any 180.
21. What if my Latvia visa is refused?
FastVisa123: If the reason is fixable, reapply with a stronger file; if it was a clear error, appeal within the deadline. See our reapply and appeal guides on fastvisa123.com.
22. Can FastVisa123 handle my Latvia tourist visa application?
FastVisa123: Yes. FastVisa123 builds your funds and document set and files the whole Latvian application — for a flat ₹10,000. Start at fastvisa123.com.
23. Do Indians need ETIAS for Latvia?
FastVisa123: No. ETIAS is a travel authorisation only for visa-exempt nationalities, and Indian passport holders are not eligible — you must apply for a Schengen visa for Latvia. Ignore any ‘ETIAS for India’ website; FastVisa123 files the actual visa you need.
24. Can I work or study in Latvia on this tourist visa?
FastVisa123: No. A Type C tourist visa is strictly for tourism or visiting and cannot be used to work or study, nor converted from inside the Schengen Area. Long-term work or study needs a separate national visa applied for from India.
25. Can I extend my Latvia tourist visa once I am there?
FastVisa123: Only in rare, unforeseeable cases such as serious illness or force majeure, applied for locally before it expires. Wanting more holiday time is not a valid reason, so plan your dates correctly.
26. Can I visit other Schengen countries on a Latvia visa?
FastVisa123: Yes. A uniform Schengen visa issued by Latvia lets you travel across all Schengen countries, as long as Latvia remains your main destination and you stay within 90 days in any 180-day period.
27. Do my children need their own Latvia visa?
FastVisa123: Yes. Each child needs a separate application and visa with their own photo, birth certificate, both parents’ consent and supporting documents. Children under 6 are usually free and ages 6–12 pay a reduced fee.
28. How do I track my Latvia visa application?
FastVisa123: After you submit at VFS, you get a reference number to track the application online and by email, and a couriered passport is tracked via the courier using that number. FastVisa123 keeps you updated at every stage.
29. Is a VFS appointment mandatory for Latvia, or can I walk in?
FastVisa123: An appointment is mandatory for almost all applicants, including minors, to give biometrics and submit documents, and each person needs their own. Assume an appointment is required and book early.
30. Can I apply for my whole family in one go?
FastVisa123: Each traveller needs a separate application, appointment and visa sticker for Latvia, including every child; a parent signs for minors. You can attend together, but the files are assessed individually.
31. What if I apply too close to my travel date?
FastVisa123: Apply at least about 15 days before travel. Applications lodged with departure under 15 days away are usually returned unprocessed (fees may be refunded), so apply early — ideally 4–8 weeks ahead in peak season.
32. Can I enter Latvia before my visa’s start date?
FastVisa123: No. You may enter only from the ‘valid from’ date on your sticker and must use the visa within its validity. Arriving early risks denied boarding or entry, so match your flights to the visa dates.
Refused by Latvia? See what to do if your Latvia visa is refused (reasons & appeal).
Official source: Official Latvia government visa information