When do Ukrainians need a visa to Latvia and how to apply for it?

Ukrainians planning a trip to Latvia should be aware that in many cases a visa is required to enter the country. Find out under what circumstances a permit is required, what are the requirements for applicants, and how to apply

Legal assistance on visa issues for Ukrainians

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Citizens of Ukraine who have a biometric passport can make short-term visa-free trips to Latvia for tourism, visiting relatives, etc. However, in most other cases, you still need to apply for a Latvian visa before traveling.

In this article, we will tell you when you will need a visa to Latvia, how to apply for it correctly, and where to get help to avoid mistakes and unnecessary time.

Do you need a visa but don't know where to start?

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When do Ukrainians need a visa to enter Latvia?

Citizens of Ukraine can stay in Latvia for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa if they travel within the visa-free regime with the Schengen zone countries. If your trip goes beyond these requirements, a visa is required.

A visa to Latvia is required if:

- You do not have a biometric passport, that is, you have an old-style document, then even for short-term trips to Latvia you need a Schengen visa.

- You plan to stay for more than 90 days. For example, for long-term tourism or visiting relatives.

- For study or participation in a long-term program.

- You plan to work or engage in entrepreneurial activities.

- You are traveling to reunite with family members who are legally residing in Latvia.

- Your purpose is medical treatment, volunteering or religious activities.

Main types of long-term visas to Latvia

Depending on the purpose of your stay, Latvia offers several categories of national visas (type D) that allow you to stay in the country for more than 90 days.

- Work visa to Latvia

For citizens of non-EU/EEA countries, employment in Latvia requires a work visa, work permit and residence permit. The first step is for the Latvian employer to apply to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Latvia with a request for a permit for a foreign employee. There are different types of permits, depending on the duration and nature of the work. You will be able to officially start working after your employer issues a permit.

Read about the types of Latvian work visas, requirements for applicants and the detailed procedure for obtaining a work permit in Latvia in this article.

- Student visa to Latvia

If you plan to study in Latvia, you need to obtain a student visa - this is a long-term residence permit, which is initially issued for 90 days. In the case of a long-term course (university, language school, etc.), you will need to additionally apply for a residence permit for the entire period of study.

- Family visa to Latvia

To invite your family members (husband/wife, children), you need to apply for a family visa on their behalf to the nearest Latvian immigration office. Such a visa is issued for 3 months and is not extendable. If your family plans to stay longer, you need to apply for a separate residence permit. When applying, you will be asked to provide documents confirming family ties.

- Golden Visa of Latvia

Foreigners who wish to invest in the Latvian economy can take advantage of the "golden visa" program - this is a way to obtain a residence permit through investment, and in the future - citizenship. The program covers investments in real estate, business or government bonds.

- EU Blue Card in Latvia

This is a special residence permit that gives the right to live and work in Latvia as a highly qualified specialist with experience and higher education. To enter the country, you must also obtain a national visa of category D. The Blue Card opens up broader employment prospects in Latvia and other EU countries.

To determine which visa is right for you and prepare the necessary package of documents, consult a visa lawyer Visit Ukraine. This will help to avoid mistakes and speed up the process of obtaining a document.

How to obtain a D visa to enter Latvia?

To obtain a visa to Latvia, you need to go through several stages. The procedure is standard for most Schengen countries and involves submitting documents in person.

Step 1: Fill out the visa application form online

Go to the official website of the Latvian electronic visa system: https://epak.pmlp.gov.lv.

Fill out the application form in English or Latvian, check the correctness of all data.

Print the completed application form and sign it by hand - this is a mandatory requirement.

Step 2: Make an appointment with the consulate

After filling out the application form, you need to register for the submission of documents at the nearest Latvian diplomatic mission or visa center.

Check the list of missions abroad on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia.

Step 3: Prepare a complete package of documents

Collect all documents according to the type of visa you are applying for.

Be sure to check the expiration date of your passport, insurance policy, financial documents, confirmation of the purpose of your trip and place of residence.

It is recommended to make copies of all documents in advance.

Step 4: Apply in person

On the appointed day, appear for an appointment at the consulate or visa center.

Submit the application form together with the package of documents.

In most cases, you will need to provide biometric data (fingerprints).

You may also be invited for a short interview.

Step 5: Wait for a decision

The processing of a visa application usually takes up to 15 calendar days.

If necessary, additional documents may be requested or the processing may be extended.

If you need help obtaining a residence permit or work permit in Latvia, please contact a migration specialist for advice.

What documents are required to obtain a visa to Latvia?

1. A passport or other travel document that:

- was issued no later than 10 years ago;

- is valid for at least 3 months longer than the period of the requested visa;

- has at least 2 blank pages for the visa.

2. Visa application form – filled out online, printed and signed by hand.

3. Color photo (35×45 mm format) – 1 piece:

- The photo must be no older than 6 months and meet the standards for a Schengen visa.

4. Medical insurance policy:

- Must be valid in all Schengen countries;

- Cover expenses of at least 30,000 euros;

- Must cover the entire period of stay.

5. Receipt for payment of the consular fee:

- Standard fee for processing a visa application (within 10 calendar days) – 35 euros;

- Express processing of an urgent visa application (within 3 days) – 70 euros;

6. Biometric data (fingerprints):

- Submitted during the first submission;

- No need to resubmit if they were already collected less than 5 years ago at any Schengen consulate.

7. Supporting documents:

- Documents confirming the purpose of the trip (invitation, letter from the university, contract, reservation, etc.).

- Confirmation of residence (hotel reservation, rental of housing, invitation from the host party).

- Documents confirming the availability of financial support (bank statements, income certificates, sponsorship letters).

- Information that allows assessing the applicant's intention to leave the Schengen area before the expiration of the visa.

8. Minimum financial requirements:

- At least 14 euros per day of stay - if the departure is planned for up to 30 days.

- At least 740 euros - if the stay in Latvia exceeds 30 days.

- Not less than 1537 euros per month – if a visa is applied for work or with the prospect of employment (according to the average salary in the country).

9. Additional conditions for individual citizens:

Citizens of Ukraine born or registered in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Donetsk or Luhansk regions are subject to mandatory additional verification when applying for a visa or residence permit in accordance with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia No. 554 (21.06.2010). In such cases, an additional questionnaire will need to be submitted.

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How can you avoid errors when applying for a visa to Latvia?

Most refusals occur due to technical or formal errors. The most common of them are:

- Incorrectly filled out questionnaire.

- Missing documents or errors in dates.

- Out-of-date certificates.

- Lack of financial evidence.

- Incorrectly selected visa type.

- Attempting to submit false documents.

Such errors lead to a refusal to submit a visa application. To avoid them, carefully check all the information you indicate in the application form and make sure that the package of documents is complete. It is also important to monitor changes in migration legislation and respond to them in a timely manner.

Why should you contact Visit Ukraine lawyers when applying for a visa to Latvia?

Applying for a long-term visa is often associated with bureaucratic difficulties, a lack of up-to-date information and the risk of refusal due to formal errors in the documents. Visit Ukraine lawyers will help you avoid common mistakes, correctly prepare a package of documents and navigate all the legal nuances, especially if your situation is non-standard.

Turning to specialists is an opportunity to save time, nerves and get support at every stage of application.

What can Visit Ukraine lawyers help with?

- Consultation on the type of visa in your situation.

- Verification of the package of documents.

- Assistance in filling out the application form.

- Preparation for submission.

- Support in case of refusal or appeal.

Get professional advice from Visit Ukraine lawyers to avoid mistakes and unnecessary expenses. Our experts will help you with the application of a visa to Latvia quickly and without stress.

Reminder! Latvia for Ukrainians in 2025 remains open and hospitable, so they regularly travel here for the purpose of work, study or long-term tourism. We have already told you what rules the Latvian migration service has established for Ukrainians, in which cases you need to apply for a visa to this country and how to get a residence permit in Latvia.

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