If you are going to visit a country like Latvia, you will simply need a visa. This state is located in the Schengen zone, as a result of which, along with state entry permits, the consulate also issues Schengen visas.
Schengen visa - Latvia. Highlights
A state permit is issued by the embassy only when the requirements for the validity of a visa do not meet the Schengen agreement (for example, for the duration of stay).
The Latvian Schengen visa issued by the embassy is valid on the territory of all countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement. This permit allows you to visit 24 countries participating in the agreement. When planning a trip, you must keep in mind that you will have to apply for a visa at the consulate of the country that is considered the main purpose of the trip. That is, if you spend most of your trip in a country like Latvia, a visa will have to be issued at the embassy of this particular state. In recent years, this provision has been tightly enforced, and violators may have problems re-obtaining permits forentry to any Schengen country.
In the event that travel and vacation covers several different countries, and it is impossible to single out the main one, then you should apply for a visa of the state that will be the first on the way. Therefore, if you enter the Schengen zone through Latvia, then a Latvian visa must be obtained.
Visas are divided into category "C" and category "D". The validity of a single or double entry visa category "C" is valid up to 90 days, multiple - up to 180 days. The period of presence in the territory of the state is considered according to the terms specified in the invitation or in the confirmation of the hotel reservation. In the case of opening a two-time or multiple-entry transit visa, a single period of stay is indicated for all entries. As a rule, a tourist visa is issued within 7 - 10 days. As a matter of urgency, it is possible to obtain an emergency visa, an international carrier visa, or a visa issued under international agreements.
Permit category "C" - a short-term entry permit to the Schengen, which is issued for the purpose of transit, tourism, business trips, visits to relatives. Category “D” permit is a state long-term visa, which is issued for the purpose of presence in the territory of Latvia for a period of 90 days to six months.
A transit permit is usually issued within 24 hours, but since various approvals from the Latvian Ministry of Internal Affairs and additional checks are required, this period mayincrease substantially. That is why it is recommended to issue a visa 7 days before entry. In a state like Latvia, a visa is subject to a consular fee. For all types of short-term visas of category "C" you will have to pay 35 euros, and in the case of a quick visa - 70 euros. The consular fee for a single entry state visa category "D" is 65 euros, and for a multiple - 90 euros.
From paying the consular fee are exempt:
- children under the age of 6.
- students, students and teachers accompanying them.
And it is worth remembering that when traveling in a country like Latvia, a visa must always be with you.
