Planning a trip to the enchanting forests, vibrant cities, and rich historical tapestry of Latvia requires one crucial step for many international travelers: obtaining a Latvia Visa. As part of the Schengen Area, Latvia adheres to the Schengen Agreement’s regulations for visas, making it essential for prospective visitors to understand the nuances of securing entry into this Baltic gem.
Understanding the Latvia Schengen Visa
Latvia, a member of the Schengen Area since 2007, allows travelers to obtain a Latvia Visa that is essentially a Schengen Visa, permitting access to Latvia and the entire Schengen zone. The Latvia Visa is your key to not only Latvia’s captivating culture and scenery but also unrestricted travel to other Schengen countries. For detailed information on the Schengen Area, visit here.
Types of Latvia Visas
There are several types of Schengen visas available, depending on your travel purpose. Whether you are traveling for tourism, business, family visits, or cultural events, it’s essential to apply for the visa that aligns with your primary reason for visiting. The short-stay visa is the most common Latvia Visa, valid for 90 days within a 180-day period.
Eligibility for Latvia Visa
Not everyone needs a Latvia Visa. Citizens from EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, and visa-exempt countries can enter Latvia without a visa. However, nationals from countries that have not reached a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen member states must obtain a visa before arrival.
How to Apply for a Latvia Visa
The process of applying for a Latvia Visa involves several steps, which you can review in detail here. In summary, applicants need to:
- Determine the correct visa type.
- Complete the visa application form.
- Gather all necessary documents, including passport photos, travel itinerary, accommodation proof, and travel insurance.
- Book and attend an appointment with the mission handling Latvian visas where you live (in Australia, VFS Global on behalf of the Austrian Embassy).
- Pay the visa application fee.
The processing time for a Latvia Visa can take up to 15 calendar days, so it is advisable to apply well in advance of your planned trip. The official source of information is the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In Australia, Latvian Schengen visas are handled by the Austrian Embassy in Canberra on Latvia’s behalf, through the joint VFS Global visa application centres.
Required Documents for a Latvia Visa
To apply for a Latvia Visa, applicants must submit several documents, such as:
- A valid passport or travel document.
- Two recent photos.
- A travel insurance policy covering expenses up to 30,000 euros.
- Flight itinerary.
- Proof of accommodation.
- Proof of financial means.
- A cover letter stating the purpose of the visit.
These documents ensure that applicants meet all the necessary criteria for their intended stay in Latvia and the Schengen Area.
Specific Visa Types
Travelers looking for specific types of visas, such as a Tourist Schengen Visa or a Schengen Visitor Visa, should tailor their application to reflect their travel intentions clearly. It’s important to provide evidence of your tourist activities or an invitation from a host if visiting friends or family.
Latvia Visa for Long Stays
For stays longer than 90 days, a national long-stay D visa is required. This type of visa allows you to stay in Latvia for a predetermined period and, under certain conditions, travel within the Schengen Area.
Latvia Visa Fees
The standard Latvia Schengen visa fee for an adult is 90 euros (since 11 June 2024). Children aged 6 to 11 pay 45 euros, and some applicants, such as children under six and school pupils, students or researchers travelling for study or research, may be exempt from the fee.
The Schengen Visa Information System (VIS)
The Schengen Area, including Latvia, uses the Visa Information System (VIS), which allows Schengen States to exchange visa data. Applicants’ biometric data is collected and used as part of the visa application process, enhancing security within the Schengen Area.
Tips for a Smooth Latvia Visa Application
- Apply early: you can apply up to six months ahead, and no later than 15 days before you travel.
- Complete documents: Ensure your application is complete with all necessary documents to avoid delays.
- Know the rules: Understand the rules of the Schengen Agreement as they apply to Latvia. For more information on the Schengen Agreement, visit here.
Latvia at a glance
Latvia is the middle Baltic state, known for Riga’s Art Nouveau buildings, forests and Baltic Sea beaches. Here are the key facts for travellers from Australia.
| Schengen member since | 2007 (airports from March 2008) |
| Currency | Euro (EUR), since 2014 |
| EU membership | EU member since 2004 |
| Official language | Latvian |
| Short stays | Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area |
| Where residents of Australia apply | VFS Global, on behalf of the Austrian Embassy in Canberra (Austria represents Latvia) |
| Working holiday for Australians | No program with Australia at the time of writing |
Information checked October 2026. Rules and arrangements change, so confirm with the Latvian authorities or the mission handling your application before you travel.
Travelling to Latvia on an Australian passport
Australian passport holders do not need a visa to visit Latvia for tourism, family visits or short business trips. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and that limit covers the whole Schengen Area, not Latvia alone. Days spent in other Schengen countries count towards the same total, so check your dates with the Schengen visa calculator before you book.
Since 10 April 2026 the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational at all external Schengen borders. The first time you arrive, border officers record your passport details, facial image and fingerprints. The system then logs every entry and exit and counts your days automatically, replacing passport stamps.
The next change is ETIAS, an online travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers such as Australians. It is expected to start in late 2026, will cost EUR 20 (free if you are under 18 or over 70) and will be valid for three years or until your passport expires. It is not required yet, and there will be a transition period after launch.
- Your passport should be valid for at least three months after you plan to leave the Schengen Area and have been issued within the last 10 years.
- Border officers can ask about your accommodation, return or onward ticket and funds, so keep these handy.
- Some Schengen countries have reintroduced temporary checks at internal borders, so carry your passport when you cross between countries.
- Riga is linked by road and bus to Tallinn and Vilnius. All three Baltic states are in Schengen, so there are no routine checks between them.
- Latvia’s borders with Russia and Belarus are external Schengen borders with strict controls.
Who needs a Latvian Schengen visa and where to apply
You need a Schengen visa if your passport is from a country that is not visa-exempt. This often applies to people who live in Australia on a temporary or permanent visa but hold, for example, an Indian, Chinese, Filipino or Vietnamese passport. Apply to Latvia if it is your main destination (where you will spend the most days) or, if your days are split evenly, if it is the first Schengen country you will enter.
Residents of Australia: In Australia, the Austrian Embassy in Canberra represents Latvia for Schengen visas. You lodge in person, by appointment, at the joint VFS Global visa application centres that handle Austrian, German and Latvian applications, or at the Austrian Embassy.
- Lodge your application no earlier than six months and no later than 15 days before you travel. Earlier is better in the European summer and around Christmas.
- The standard decision time is 15 calendar days, which can be extended to 45 days in individual cases.
- Missions in Australia commonly ask for proof of your Australian visa status, such as a recent VEVO record, along with the usual documents: passport, photo, travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000, itinerary, accommodation and proof of funds.
- Fingerprints are taken at your appointment unless they were recorded for a Schengen visa in the last 59 months.
See our step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Schengen visa and the different Schengen visa types.
Latvian Schengen visa fees
| Adults and children 12 and over | EUR 90 |
| Children 6 to 11 | EUR 45 |
| Children under 6 | Free |
| Service provider fee | VFS Global service fee (AUD 51.95 as at March 2026) |
| National (type D) long-stay visa | Set by Latvia; usually higher than the Schengen fee |
These Schengen fees have applied since 11 June 2024 and are usually charged in Australian dollars at the current exchange rate. Some nationalities with EU visa facilitation agreements pay less. The fee is not refunded if your application is refused.
Staying longer: working holidays, study and work in Latvia
The 90-day rule only covers short visits. For longer stays you need a national visa or permit from Latvia itself.
Latvian visa FAQs
Do Australians need a visa to visit Latvia?
No, not for short stays. Australian passport holders can visit Latvia and the rest of the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your fingerprints and photo are recorded in the Entry/Exit System on arrival, and ETIAS is expected to be required after it launches in late 2026.
Does the 90 days apply to Latvia only?
No. The 90 days in any 180-day period is shared across all 29 Schengen countries. Time in non-Schengen countries such as Cyprus, Ireland or the United Kingdom does not count towards it.
Where do I apply for a Latvian visa in Australia?
Through VFS Global or at the Austrian Embassy in Canberra, which represents Latvia for Schengen visas in Australia.
How much does a Latvian Schengen visa cost?
EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 11, and children under 6 are free. A VFS Global service fee is added if you lodge at a visa centre.
Can I visit Estonia and Lithuania on a Latvian visa?
Yes. A Latvian Schengen visa is valid across the Schengen Area, including the other Baltic states, as long as Latvia is your main destination.
Is there a working holiday visa for Latvia?
Not for Australians at the time of writing. Stays over 90 days need a Latvian long-stay visa or residence permit.
More Schengen guides
- ETIAS: what Australians need to know
- Schengen 90/180 day calculator
- Tourist Schengen visa and business Schengen visa
- Estonia visa guide
- Lithuania visa guide
- Finland visa guide
VisaEnvoy does not provide Schengen visa services. This page is general information only. For advice on your application, contact the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit.