Schengen Visa for Latvia from the UK: Application, Fees and Processing in 2026

A Latvian Schengen visa is a short-stay or long-stay travel authorisation issued by the Republic of Latvia, valid across the Schengen area for the purpose and period stated on the sticker. UK passport holders are visa-exempt for short visits; other passports apply through Latvia directly.

Who needs a Schengen visa from the UK for Latvia

Latvia is a Schengen state, having joined the area on 21 December 2007. British citizens holding a full UK passport do not need a Schengen visa to enter Latvia for tourism, business meetings, family visits or short conferences, provided the total stay across all Schengen states does not exceed 90 days within any rolling 180-day period.

The requirement applies to UK residents who hold a passport from a third country listed in Annex I of EU Regulation 2018/1806. That covers nationals of, for example, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, Turkey and many other states. UK residence (including indefinite leave to remain) does not waive the requirement; only nationality and passport type do.

Where Latvia is the main destination of the trip, the Latvian consular service is the correct point of application. Where the visit spreads across several Schengen states equally, the country of first entry is used. Applicants must apply in person at the embassy for biometric enrolment unless they hold fingerprints already on file in the Visa Information System from a previous application within the last 59 months.

Where to apply: the Latvian e-Consulate and the London embassy

Latvia is one of the small group of Schengen states that does not outsource UK visa intake to a commercial provider such as VFS Global or TLScontact. Applications from the UK go through one of two routes, both run by the Latvian state.

The first route is the Electronic Application System operated by the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, published as the e-Consulate on www.mfa.gov.lv. Applicants create an account, complete the visa form online, upload supporting documents and book an appointment at the consular section in London. The portal is the formal channel for short-stay Schengen visas and for several long-stay categories.

The second route is direct submission at the Embassy of Latvia in London, located at 45 Nottingham Place, London W1U 5LY. Consular jurisdiction covers the United Kingdom and Ireland. Biometric enrolment (a digital photograph and fingerprints) is taken in person at the embassy. There is no separate UK visa application centre; the consular officers handle intake themselves.

For long-stay residence permits the application package is reviewed in Latvia by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, known by its Latvian abbreviation PMLP, at pmlp.gov.lv. UK applicants normally submit through the embassy and receive their permit on arrival in Latvia.

How to apply: documents, biometrics and fees

Latvia follows the EU Visa Code documentation list for short-stay applications. A complete short-stay file typically includes the application form, a passport valid for at least three months beyond the planned departure with two blank pages, two recent biometric photographs, evidence of accommodation, a travel itinerary, proof of sufficient means of subsistence, travel medical insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 cover valid across the Schengen area, and proof of UK residence such as a Biometric Residence Permit or eVisa share code.

The standard short-stay (Type C) visa fee was set at EUR 90 from 11 June 2024 under the revised EU Visa Code. Children aged 6 to 11 pay EUR 45 and children under 6 are exempt. Fees are payable in pound sterling at the prevailing consular exchange rate; verify the current figure on london.mfa.gov.lv before applying.

Biometric data (a facial image and ten fingerprints) is captured at the appointment unless valid prints are already held in the Visa Information System. The data is retained for 59 months. The decision is normally returned by post or by collection in person; couriered passports are not part of the standard service.

Processing times and what to expect

The EU Visa Code sets a standard decision period of 15 calendar days for short-stay Schengen visas, counted from the date of submission of a complete file. The period can be extended to 45 days in individual cases where the file requires further examination or additional documents. Some nationalities are subject to prior consultation with other Schengen states, which routinely adds time.

The Latvian consular section advises applicants to submit at least three weeks before travel, and not earlier than six months before the planned date of entry. Peak demand around summer and the December holidays lengthens the appointment queue more often than the decision itself.

Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS: what UK travellers should know

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is the automated border database that registers every non-EU traveller entering or leaving the Schengen area. Phased rollout began in October 2025. At first crossing each traveller has a facial image and four fingerprints captured and stored for three years; subsequent entries are matched against that record. EES applies to UK passport holders despite the visa-exempt status of short stays. Guidance is published by the European Commission at travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en and by the UK government at gov.uk/guidance/entry-exit-system-ees.

ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, is a pre-travel authorisation for short visa-exempt visits to the Schengen area. It is expected to launch from late 2026 or in 2027; verify the current status on travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en before relying on this. Once live, UK passport holders will need an approved ETIAS authorisation to board flights, ferries or trains into the Schengen area for short stays.

Long-stay national visas for Latvia

Long-stay national (Type D) visas authorise stays in Latvia of more than 90 days and are governed by Latvian national law rather than the EU Visa Code. Typical categories include employment (with a work permit issued via PMLP), the EU Blue Card for high-skilled workers, study at a Latvian university, family reunification, the Latvian Startup Visa for founders of innovative companies, and self-employment. Investment-linked residence routes are also available but have changed in scope since 2022; verify the current eligibility on pmlp.gov.lv.

Applicants normally apply for the D visa at the embassy in London and complete the residence permit formalities at a PMLP office on arrival. Document requirements include sector-specific evidence (employment contract, university acceptance, etc.) plus background and health checks. Decision timelines are longer than short-stay and depend on the route.

Latvia is part of the Schengen pre-consultation network for certain nationalities, which means decisions on some files are paused while other Schengen states are consulted on security grounds. This does not change the documentary requirements but can push the effective decision window towards the 45-day end of the range. Applicants who hold valid biometrics on file in the Visa Information System from a previous Schengen application within the last 59 months may be able to skip a second biometric appointment, but the consular section can still request an in-person visit for identity verification.

For applicants planning multi-purpose trips (for example combining a short conference in Riga with longer onward travel) the application is filed on the basis of the main purpose and longest stay. Misdeclaring the main destination is one of the more common reasons cited in refusals under the EU Visa Code, alongside insufficient evidence of return.

Frequently asked questions

Do UK citizens need a visa to visit Latvia?

No. British citizens holding a full UK passport can enter Latvia and the wider Schengen area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period without a visa. A Schengen visa is only required for UK residents travelling on a passport from a country listed in EU Annex I.

Does Latvia use VFS Global or TLScontact in the UK?

No. Latvia does not outsource UK visa intake to a commercial provider. Applications go directly to the Latvian consular service through the e-Consulate portal on mfa.gov.lv and biometrics are taken at the Embassy of Latvia in London.

How much does a Latvian short-stay Schengen visa cost?

The standard fee is EUR 90 from 11 June 2024. Children aged 6 to 11 pay EUR 45 and children under 6 are exempt. The fee is payable in sterling at the consular exchange rate; verify the current amount on london.mfa.gov.lv before applying.

How long does a Latvian Schengen visa take to process?

The EU Visa Code sets 15 calendar days as the standard decision period from submission of a complete application. The period can be extended to 45 days in individual cases. Appointment availability at the London embassy may add lead time during peak season.

Where is the Embassy of Latvia in London?

The embassy is at 45 Nottingham Place, London W1U 5LY. Consular jurisdiction covers the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Can a UK resident apply for a Latvian long-stay D visa from London?

Yes. Long-stay national D visas for employment, study, family reunification, the EU Blue Card and the Latvian Startup Visa are filed at the embassy in London, with the residence permit issued by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) after arrival.

Does EES apply to UK passport holders entering Latvia?

Yes. The Entry/Exit System records the facial image and fingerprints of every non-EU traveller, including UK passport holders, at first entry to the Schengen area. The data is then used for automated entry and exit checks on subsequent trips.