Latvia business visa
One detail separates the Latvia business visa from every other Schengen file we prepare: the invitation from your Riga host must first be approved by Latvia's migration office, the OCMA. A letter on company paper is not enough. Beyond that, this is a Schengen short-stay (Type C) uniform visa for Indian passport holders coming for meetings, negotiations, conferences or trade fairs. It allows up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and once issued it opens the entire Schengen area. You lodge at VFS Global in India; the file goes to the Embassy of Latvia in New Delhi, which decides.
Apply through Latvia only when it is your sole or main destination, or your first point of entry into the Schengen area. The invitation approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA/PMLP) must be dated no earlier than six months before you apply. The usual Schengen conditions apply on top. The New Delhi embassy also covers applicants resident in the Maldives, Myanmar and Bhutan.
Who this visa is for
- ✓Indian passport holders travelling to Latvia for business meetings, negotiations, conferences or trade fairs for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- ✓Latvia is your sole or main destination, or your first point of entry into the Schengen area (this is what makes Latvia the competent state to decide your application).
- ✓You hold a genuine business invitation from a host in Latvia approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA), dated no earlier than six months before applying.
- ✓You have travel medical insurance with at least EUR 30,000 cover valid across the Schengen area, plus sufficient funds for the stay.
- ✓You can show ties to India and intend to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires.
Visa options for Latvia
Type C short-stay visa (single or double entry)
Uniform Schengen visa for a one-off business trip to Latvia; permits up to 90 days in any 180-day period and travel across the whole Schengen area.
Type C multiple-entry visa (MEV)
For frequent business travellers with an established travel history; under the Visa Code cascade it can be issued valid for 1, 3 or 5 years, still limited to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Documents typically required
- ✓Completed and personally signed Schengen visa application form.
- ✓Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least three months beyond the intended departure, with at least two blank pages; plus previous passports.
- ✓Two recent colour photos, 35x45 mm, light background, meeting Schengen/ICAO specifications.
- ✓Business invitation from the Latvian host approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA), dated no earlier than six months before the application.
- ✓Covering letter from your Indian employer stating the purpose and duration of the trip and who bears the costs, with company registration/GST proof; evidence of the business relationship where relevant.
- ✓Flight tickets and a day-by-day itinerary of the visit.
- ✓Proof of accommodation in Latvia (hotel booking) or confirmation that the host covers it.
- ✓Travel medical insurance valid across the Schengen area with minimum cover of EUR 30,000 for the whole trip.
- ✓Proof of funds: personal bank statements for the last three months and/or company sponsorship (minimum subsistence of about EUR 14 per day of stay).
- ✓Biometrics (fingerprints and digital photo) captured at the visa application centre; visa fee EUR 90.
Your exact checklist depends on your profile — we confirm it during your case analysis. Every visa decision rests with the embassy or consulate.
The Embassy of Latvia in New Delhi handles applications from residents of India, the Maldives, Myanmar and Bhutan. Fingerprints given for an earlier Schengen visa can be reused for 59 months, so many repeat travellers skip the biometrics step. If Latvia is not your main destination, apply through the Schengen state where you will spend most of your time.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply for a Latvia business visa in India?
At VFS Global, the centres appointed by the Embassy of Latvia. Your file is then forwarded to the embassy in New Delhi, which decides. Choose Latvia only when it is your sole or main destination, or your first point of entry into the Schengen area.
How long does the Latvia business visa take?
Around 15 calendar days from submission. It can stretch to 45 if the consulate asks for extra documents or an interview. The Embassy of Latvia sets the final timeline and outcome.
Can I visit other Schengen countries on this visa?
Yes. A Type C uniform visa covers the entire Schengen area, up to 90 days in any 180-day period, as long as Latvia stays your main destination for the trip.
Do you guarantee the visa?
No. The decision rests with the embassy/consulate. We give you a frank assessment of your case and make the application as strong as possible. Our clients have seen a 97% success rate over the last 2-3 years, but the outcome is always the authority's to decide.