"Travel broadens one's horizons" - the sages know. And they are right. Only by going beyond the usual framework to which a person has grown and even “taken roots”, he will feel a new impetus for life. And look at her as a whole or the situation from the other side.
Travelers are divided into 2 subgroups:
- among the first are those who are content with trips exclusively within the territory of their country;
- in the second subgroup - people who prefer foreign trips to local ones.
And what is most interesting, both are right!
About traveling to another country
Travel for different purposes:
- - on a tourist package,
- - trip to visit;
- - business trip;
- - mission trip and others.
It is also not uncommon to travel to another country for the purpose of long-term work or move with the family for permanent residence.
And in order to cross bordersproceeded smoothly, it is necessary to open in advance a visa of the country in which there is an intention to enter, or a Schengen one.
A few words about Latvia
This is one of the smallest countries in Europe, in particular the B altics. It attracts tourists with the beauty of nature: sandy beaches, sea, lakes, pine trees.
The largest number of tourists come to the sea - to Jurmala.
The country is also famous for its amber stone, which is used to make jewelry, decor for paintings, panels.
What visas to the Republic of Latvia are available
Opening visas to this wonderful country is now possible at the Latvian Visa Application Center in Moscow, which is geographically located in Nizhny Susalny Lane. This is near the Kurskaya metro station.
Visas to Latvia are divided into categories:
1. Transit:
- Type A - to stay in the country for 24 hours without leaving the Latvian airport.
- Type B - for 72 hours, with the right to leave the airport.
2. Schengen visa. This type of document allows you to cross the Latvian border once or twice. Valid for 3 months. Multiple entry Schengen visa - for 180 days.
3. national visa. This visa gives the right to stay in Latvia for up to 3 months, the total period of its validity is six months. Due to the fact that Latvia is included in the list of Schengen countries, with a national visa, entry to other countries from this list is also allowed (if there is no special mark prohibiting such movement).
Documentsto open a visa
Before applying to the Latvian Visa Application Center in Moscow, you must prepare the following documents:
1. Application form completed in Latvian, English or Russian.
2. Biometric data for people over 12 years old. For children under 12 - only a photo taken at the Latvian Visa Application Center.
3. Two photos 35x45 mm in color, one of which is for the questionnaire. The background is light, in the photo 80% of the face. Prescription - up to 6 months.
4. International passport. If you have an old one with a Schengen visa, also provide it.
5. A document containing information on official income and work experience. In the absence of official work, it is necessary to provide information on savings in the bank to the Visa Application Center of the Republic of Latvia.
6. Check confirming payment of the consular fee.
7. Round trip flights.
8. Hotel booking document in Latvia.
9. Insurance document.
10. If there are children under the age of 18 in the family planning the trip, the children's birth certificates are attached to the documents.
11. Copy of internal passport. It is necessary that there are all important pages, as well as registration. The copy must be legible.
Features of passing an interview
When obtaining a visa to Latvia at the visa center, you must pass an interview. An employee of the center, in addition to checking the availability of the necessary documents, will ask additional questions: about the purpose of the trip, knowledge of information about the country, and others.
For Russians, the advantage is that with Latvians there is nolanguage barrier.
Visa processing times
A visa is issued at the Latvian Visa Application Center in Moscow in 10 days.
The second option is an expedited visa application. Then - 3 days. But the cost will be 2 times more.
Visa denials
Typical mistakes of citizens who were denied a visa:
- - inaccuracy of the address of the place of residence in Latvia;
- - expiration date of the international passport;
- - lack of 2-3 free pages in the passport;
- - an error in the spelling of the name of the inviting party in Russian;
- - problems in obtaining he alth insurance.
Recommendation: be careful when processing and submitting documents for opening a visa to Latvia!
Innovation for travel agencies
According to the media (RATA-News), an innovation has appeared for tour operators: from the beginning of September 2017, they are no longer en titled to apply for a visa to Latvia for clients. That is why, as informs a source, the organized tourism of Russians to Latvia will stop. And every citizen of the Russian Federation will independently open visas at the visa center or embassy.
Address of the Latvian Visa Application Center in Moscow: Nizhny Susalny lane, building 5, building 19, 1st floor. This is a government agency.
Visa Center Reviews
The beginning of the working day in the center is at 9 am. According to customer reviews, at this time and after 14.00 the queues are the largest, so the waiting time to go toreception window, averages 2-3 hours.
If you arrive at the visa application center by 11.00, then the probability of a quick service (5-20 minutes) increases.
The overall customer experience of the center itself and service is above average. Especially often noted is the polite attitude on the part of employees who accept documents and issue passports with a visa. All reception windows are always working, which also gives a positive characteristic to the institution. Comfortable atmosphere indoors.
Also, all clients who applied to the Latvian Visa Application Center in Moscow especially note that the terms for issuing a visa are minimal - 6-10 days. Which is much faster and easier than at the embassy.
