Description
Overview:
All applicants, including children and infants, must personally submit their Schengen visa application on their scheduled appointment date.
Applicants who plan to travel for business purposes, such as attending meetings, conducting business deals, recruiting, training, or other work-related activities, can apply under the Business category.
Every Business visa application must be accompanied by an invitation letter from a business or company based in Latvia. If not, the applicant will need to apply as a Tourist.
Eligibility:
To be eligible to submit a Schengen visa application, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
– Possess a valid passport or travel document.
– Hold a valid UK residence permit. If the applicant holds a short-stay visa for the UK (C type visa), they must apply for a Schengen visa from their country of residence.
– Apply for a short-stay visa under categories such as Tourist (including Minors), Visitor Family/Friends, Business, EEA/EU and Swiss national family member, or Airport Transit.
Jurisdiction:
Applicants residing in the United Kingdom fall under the jurisdiction of the Embassy of Latvia in London. Therefore, they can submit their visa applications at the Latvia Visa Application Centre in London, Manchester, or Edinburgh. These centers serve as outsourced representatives for the Embassy of Latvia in London.
Documents Required
The following list of documents is not exhaustive, and the Mission may request additional information or documents from the applicant if necessary.
Both the standard and supporting documentation must be recent, meaning they should not be older than one month. These documents must be provided for every Schengen visa application.
Applicants are required to bring and present their original documents, but they only need to submit photocopies unless otherwise specified.
Before gathering the necessary documents listed below, applicants are advised to review the requirements outlined in the Overview section to ensure they are eligible to apply for the desired visa category.
Standard Documentation for Schengen Visa Application
- Visa application form (original)
- Passport (original)
The passport must be signed and have at least two blank pages for visa purposes. It must also be valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area. Additionally, the passport must have been issued within the last 10 years on the day of departure from the Schengen Area.
If the passport has been extended, it may still be valid. However, if it is older than 10 years, a new passport must be obtained before applying for the visa.
- Photocopies of previous Schengen visas issued in the last 3 years
If previous Schengen visas are endorsed in an old passport, the old passport must also be submitted with the visa application.
- UK Residence permit
The UK Residence permit, either endorsed in the passport or issued as a Biometrics card, must be valid for at least one month beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area. Please note that a C type visitor visa is not acceptable.
- Photograph (original)
Please refer to the provided link for specifications on the required photograph.
By following these guidelines and providing the necessary documents, applicants can ensure a smooth and efficient Schengen visa application process.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION
Proof of Current Occupation
- Employer Letter (original): This letter should be recent, signed, and on official letterhead. It should be addressed to the Mission and include the name and position of the signee. The letter should confirm your current employment status. Additionally, please include your last three months’ payslips.
- Self-Employment Letter (original): If you are self-employed, you will need to provide a recent, signed, and headed letter. This letter should be addressed to the Mission and include the name and position of the signee. It should confirm your self-employment status. If applicable, this letter should be obtained from:
– Your accountant: If your company’s accountancy is done by an external or independent accountant.
– Your solicitor: If your company has been registered by a solicitor.
– Your bank manager: If your company has a business bank account.
– Companies House: If you have registered your business, please provide the Certificate of Incorporation received from Companies House. If your name is not mentioned on the certificate, please provide additional proof demonstrating your connection to the company.
Proof of Business Invitation
To demonstrate your business invitation, please provide the following:
– Invitation approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs in Latvia: You should obtain a case or reference number from your host in Latvia.
– Original signed invitation letter from your business partner or conference organizers in Latvia. This letter should include all necessary information.
Proof of Funds
If the invitation does not indicate that the inviting party will cover your expenses, you will need to provide proof of funds. This can be done through the following:
– Latest three months’ UK bank statements: These statements should show your name, address, and an end balance dated within the last month of the visa application submission date. The balance should reflect a
Proof of Travel (Airplane, Train, Boat, Coach, (Hired) Car)
To support your visa application, you must provide proof of your travel arrangements. This includes confirmed return travel tickets that clearly state your name and travel dates to and from the Schengen Area. If you are traveling by car, you will need to provide additional documentation such as car registration, car insurance, and return travel tickets for the ferry or Eurotunnel. These tickets should also mention the car’s registration number and the driver’s driving license. If you are not the driver, a signed and dated cover letter from the driver confirming joint travel with you and providing the travel dates is required.
If your travel tickets have been purchased through a travel agency, you must also submit a receipt, invoice, or payment confirmation.
Proof of Accommodation
You must also provide proof of your accommodation arrangements. This can be in the form of a confirmed reservation from a hotel, hostel, camping site, or any other type of accommodation. The reservation should clearly state your name, travel dates, and the address details of the accommodation.
If your name is not mentioned on the accommodation reservation, you will need to provide a joint travel confirmation letter. This letter must be signed and dated by the person whose name is on the reservation. Additionally, you must include a photocopy of that person’s passport or ID card, along with the passport signature page if the signature is not on the passport’s bio page.
If you are traveling as part of a group and the accommodation is reserved under one name, you will need to provide a list of all the group members. Alternatively, the names of the group members can be mentioned on the travel ticket.
Travel insurance, specifically all-risk medical travel insurance, is a crucial requirement for individuals planning to visit the Schengen Area. It is essential that the insurance clearly displays the applicant’s name and remains valid throughout the entire territory of the Schengen Area. Furthermore, the insurance must cover the entire duration of the applicant’s intended stay in the Schengen Area, with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies and repatriation, if applicable.
For those applying for a single entry, the insurance should not only cover the intended stay but also include a 15-day ‘period of grace.’ This additional coverage ensures that any unforeseen circumstances during the grace period are adequately addressed.
On the other hand, individuals applying for multiple entries must ensure that their insurance covers the entire duration of their first intended stay in the Schengen Area. This coverage is essential to guarantee the individual’s well-being and safety throughout their visit.
It is imperative to adhere to these insurance requirements to ensure a smooth and secure travel experience within the Schengen Area. By obtaining comprehensive travel insurance, applicants can have peace of mind knowing that they are protected in case of any medical emergencies or unexpected situations that may arise during their stay.
Photo Specification
Please ensure that you include a recent color photograph of yourself, taken within the last six months, adhering to the following specifications:
- Background: The photograph should be taken against a plain light background, preferably white or off-white. This will ensure that your features are clearly distinguishable and stand out against the background.
- Clarity: The photograph must be of high quality, with your face in sharp focus. This will enable us to accurately verify your identity.
- Facial expression: Please maintain a non-smiling expression in the photograph. Additionally, avoid wearing sunglasses, hats, caps, or any head covering, unless it is worn due to religious beliefs or ethnic background.
- Printing: The photograph should be printed on regular photographic paper, as obtained from a camera print. This will ensure that the image is clear and of suitable quality.
- Attachment: Please securely attach (glue) the photograph to the Visa Application Form.
In the event that the submitted photographs (see example) fail to meet these requirements, the visa application will be considered incomplete. In such cases, the applicant will be requested to obtain new photographs from the photo booth available at the visa application center.
Processing Time
Applicants are advised to submit their Schengen visa application up to 6 months prior to their intended travel date to the Schengen Area. However, it is important to note that the application must be lodged no later than 15 days before the intended visit.
The minimum processing time for a visa application is 10 working days. It is crucial for applicants to allow sufficient time between the appointment date and the travel date for the Mission to process their application. Please be aware that delays may occur, and therefore, we cannot guarantee the exact return date of the visa application. In some cases, the visa processing time may be extended up to 45 days.
For certain nationalities, the visa application requires consultation from other Schengen countries, resulting in a minimum processing time of 15 working days.
It is important to note that the minimum processing time starts from the day the embassy receives the application, excluding the day of submission.
To avoid any delays in the visa application process, it is of utmost importance that the application is complete and all documents submitted meet the requirements set by the Mission. Please refer to the “Documents Required” section for the specific visa categories.
Applicants should also be aware that during peak seasons such as Easter, Summer holidays (July and August), and Christmas, appointment slots are quickly filled as the Mission can only process a limited number of visa applications on a daily basis.
Furthermore, it is essential for applicants to consider the closures and holidays of Mission, as these may extend the processing time of the visa application. Please refer to the “Public Holidays/Closures” section for more information.
Therefore, we strongly recommend the following to all applicants:
– Book your appointment as soon as you have confirmed your travel plans.
– Ensure that your visa application documentation meets the requirements set by the Mission.
– Allow sufficient processing time for the Mission to handle your application.
Applicants who submit their visa applications at our satellite centers in Manchester, Edinburgh, or Cardiff should take into account an additional two days to the minimum processing time.
During the visa application process, the Mission may request additional information or documents, or even invite applicants for an interview. It is important to note that these requests may cause delays in the visa process, and applicants are expected to take full responsibility for any such delays.
We kindly advise applicants to factor in these potential delays and plan their travel accordingly. Our team is committed to processing visa applications as efficiently as possible, but certain circumstances beyond our control may impact the timeline. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
Should you have any further inquiries or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated support team. We are here to provide you with the necessary guidance and support throughout the visa application process.
Free Consultation
To proceed with your visa application, kindly complete the enclosed sample form (available in PDF or Word format) in its entirety.
If you are uncertain about any information, please leave it blank. Once the form is completed, please submit it to us along with your passport, BRP card/UK residency documentation, and copies of any previous Schengen visas you may have obtained.
Please send the required documents via email to sales@globalvisaagent.co.uk.
Upon receipt of this information, we will arrange a consultation call to further discuss your application.
Alternatively, you may contact us at +442035001580 after submitting the documents.
Rest assured that we strictly adhere to the GDPR Policy, ensuring that your documents are handled, stored, and deleted in accordance with the highest standards of data protection.
