Visa to Ukraine for Latvian citizens: when to obtain it and the application procedure

Latvian citizens travel to Ukraine for various reasons – work, study, business or tourism. In some cases, a visa is required for travel. Find out how Latvian citizens can obtain a visa to Ukraine and in which cases it is required

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A visa to Ukraine from Latvia is not required. Both countries have signed a visa-free agreement, so for short-term trips, entry is possible on the basis of a Schengen visa (up to 90 days within a 180-day period). This means that if you want to visit the castles of Zakarpattia or the catacombs of Odesa, stroll down Andriivskyi Uzviz or visit the Lviv National Opera, you will not need a tourist visa to Ukraine. You will also not need a business visa to Ukraine if you are planning to meet with partners. However, if your goal is to work or study in Ukraine, you must apply for a long-term visa. We will tell you more about whether you need a visa to Ukraine from Latvia and how to apply for it in this article.

Learn more about life in Ukraine:

▶ tourism opportunities;

▶ how to get to Ukraine by car;

▶ popular travel destinations;

▶ specifics of employment;

▶ features of education;

▶ immigration procedure to Ukraine;

▶ how you can support Ukraine.

Do Latvian citizens need a visa to enter Ukraine?

There is a visa-free regime for short-term trips between Ukraine and Latvia. Citizens of the Republic of Latvia can enter Ukraine without a visa if their stay does not exceed 90 days within a 180-day period. A valid foreign passport is required for visa-free entry – an internal ID card is not suitable for crossing the border.

A visa is required in the following cases:

1) The planned length of stay in Ukraine exceeds 90 days (this requires a long-term D-type visa).

2) The purpose of the trip is employment, study or family reunification (for these purposes, a long-term D visa is required, even if the initial entry is for 90 days).

Categories of travel:

– short-term: visa-free or type C / up to 90 days within 180 days / tourism, business trips, private visits;

– long-term: type D / up to 90 days (for further processing of a residence permit) / employment, study, family reunification, volunteering.

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What types of visas are available to Latvian citizens?

Short-term visa (type C) – up to 90 days (tourism, business, visiting relatives)

A short-term type C visa is issued to foreigners whose stay does not exceed 90 days within a 180-day period. It is only required in exceptional cases, as Latvian citizens usually enjoy visa-free travel for short-term trips (tourism, business meetings, private visits).

Long-term visa (type D) – for study, work, family reunification

A long-term type D visa is required if you plan to stay in Ukraine for a long time (more than 90 days), regardless of how you enter the country. A type D visa is issued for 90 days and entitles you to apply for a temporary or permanent residence permit in Ukraine after arrival.

This type of visa is required in the following cases:

– employment (based on a work permit);

– study (based on an invitation from an educational institution);

– family reunification (based on marriage to a Ukrainian citizen or documents proving family ties).

Documents for a visa to Ukraine from Latvia

To apply for a type C or D visa, a citizen must prepare and submit the following main documents to the Embassy or Consulate of Ukraine in Latvia:

1. Foreign passport – must be valid for at least 3 months after the declared date of departure from Ukraine, contain at least two blank pages and be issued no more than 10 years ago.

2. Completed and signed visa application form – registered on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

3. One colour photograph (35x45 mm).

4. Documents confirming the purpose of the trip:

– for a D visa (e.g. work) – a copy of the work permit, for study – the original invitation from the university;

– for a C visa – hotel reservation, invitation from an individual or legal entity, documents confirming the purpose of the trip (business, medical treatment, etc.).

5. Medical insurance – a policy with a minimum coverage of €30,000, valid for the entire period of the planned stay in Ukraine.

6. Proof of financial solvency – documents confirming the availability of sufficient funds for the period of stay and for returning home (e.g. bank statement).

Important! Documents that are the basis for issuing a visa (e.g. an invitation) may require legalisation and translation into Ukrainian.

How does the visa application process work?

In 2025, Latvian citizens can only apply for a visa to Ukraine abroad – at the Embassy or Consulate of Ukraine in Latvia, or through visa centres that cooperate with Ukraine.

Step 1. Prepare your documents

Prepare a complete set of necessary documents according to the type of visa (C or D) and the purpose of your trip. Make sure that all documents meet the requirements (passport validity, translations, legalisation).

Step 2. Submitting an application through the consulate or visa centre

Fill out the visa application form online on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and register to submit your documents. As a rule, you must submit your documents in person.

Step 3. Paying the consular fee

Pay the consular fee. Please note that payment must be made before submitting documents, and the fee is non-refundable if the visa is denied.

Step 4. Waiting for and receiving the visa

After submitting the documents and paying the fee, you must wait for a decision. If the decision is positive, the visa will be affixed to your foreign passport.

Processing time and visa cost

Standard procedure: documents are processed within 10 working days of receipt. If additional checks are required, the processing time may be extended to 30 working days.

Urgent procedure: processing may take up to 5 working days (subject to payment of double the consular fee).

The basic consular fee for a Ukrainian visa is $65 (or the equivalent in another currency).

Important! Due to bilateral agreements, the cost may vary for Latvian citizens. For example, according to some data, the consular fee for citizens with whom the EU has visa facilitation agreements is €35.00 for standard processing (10 working days) and €70.00 for urgent processing (2 working days). Be sure to check the current cost on the website of the Embassy of Ukraine in Latvia before submitting your documents.

Is insurance required to enter Ukraine?

Compulsory medical insurance for all foreigners

Medical insurance is a mandatory document for both obtaining a visa and crossing the Ukrainian border. The policy must meet the following requirements:

– cover the entire duration of the planned stay;

– the minimum insurance amount for a visa is €30,000;

– it is desirable that the policy includes coverage for COVID-19 treatment and coverage for active and passive war risks.

The difference between standard insurance and war risk insurance

In the event of full-scale war, standard travel insurance policies do not usually cover risks associated with military action. However, some insurance companies offer special policies that include coverage for military risks, which can be critical for safety during travel.

👉 Get reliable insurance protection in 3 minutes!

Thousands of foreigners trust Visit Ukraine to provide fast and reliable online insurance that meets all the requirements of Ukrainian legislation, border and migration services. You can purchase an insurance policy online right now, including coverage for military risks, to ensure your safe entry and stay in Ukraine. Follow the link to learn more and purchase a policy.

Legal assistance with visas or immigration to Ukraine

Legal support is highly recommended when you plan to:

– obtain a long-term visa (type D), especially for complex cases (work, business immigration, family reunification);

– applying for a temporary or permanent residence permit after arriving in Ukraine;

– extending your stay in Ukraine;

– encountering problems with documents or visa refusal;

– needing an invitation to apply for a D-visa.

👉 Make your immigration process in Ukraine simple and transparent!

Visit Ukraine offers comprehensive legal support for foreigners. Our specialists will help you obtain a residence permit, extend your visa, apply for a D-visa invitation, and with any other issues related to legalising your stay. We guarantee transparency of procedures, English-speaking support, and ease of interaction so that you can focus on your trip or life in Ukraine. Contact our lawyers for advice today to get professional help.

Useful tips for travellers visiting Ukraine

Safety during the war: Always follow official air raid alerts and immediately proceed to the nearest shelter. Install the ‘Air Raid Alert’ app.

Currency: The official currency is the hryvnia (UAH). Currency exchange (euros or dollars) is available at banks and exchange offices.

Communication: Purchase a local SIM card from Ukrainian operators for convenient communication and mobile internet.

Embassy contacts: Always carry the contact details of the Latvian Embassy in Ukraine with you.

Useful services: Check out the useful services from Visit Ukraine (route planning, tour booking, transfers) to help make your trip as comfortable and safe as possible.

Reminder! We have previously published a detailed guide on applying for different types of visas to Ukraine.

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Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

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