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 reserves the right to request additional information or documents from the applicant if necessary.
Both the standard and supporting documentation must be recent, no older than one month, and must be provided for every Schengen visa application.
Applicants are required to bring and present their original documents but only need to submit photocopies unless otherwise specified.
Before gathering the required documents listed below, applicants are advised to carefully review the requirements under the Overview section to ensure eligibility for the chosen visa category.
Fingerprints are only taken from applicants aged 12 years and older. Therefore, minors under the age of 12 are not required to be present at the visa application center during the submission of their Schengen visa application.
Standard Documentation for Schengen Visa Application:
- Visa application form (original) – signed by one parent/legal guardian
2. Passport (original)
– Signed passport with at least two blank pages for visa purposes
– Must be valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area
– Must have been issued within the last 10 years on the day of leaving the Schengen Area
– Extended passports may still be valid, but if older than 10 years, a new passport must be obtained before applying for the visa.
3. Photocopies of previous Schengen visas issued in the last three years
– If previous Schengen visas are endorsed in an old passport, the old passport must also be submitted with the visa application.
4. UK Residence permit
– Must be 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
– C type visitor visa is not acceptable (see here for details).
5. Photograph (original)
Every minor, regardless of their visa category, must provide the following documents as part of the Standard Documentation:
- Birth certificate:
– An unabridged birth certificate that includes the names of the biological parents.
– If the birth certificate is not in English, Latvian, or Russian, a certified translation by a translator in the UK is also required.
- Consent of both parents:
– Written consent, signed and dated, from both biological parents, allowing the minor to travel.
- Parents’ passports (copy):
– Both parents must provide a copy of their original passport during the application process.
– If either or both parents’ original passports are not available, a notarized copy of the passport’s bio data page is required.
- Proof of sole custody (in case of a single parent):
– If the parents are divorced or one of the parents has passed away, proof of sole custody must be provided.
– This can be demonstrated through a court/residence order (original document to be presented) or a certificate (original document to be presented).
Please note that these documents are necessary for all minors applying for a visa, regardless of the visa category. It is important to ensure that all requirements are met to avoid any delays or complications in the application process.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION
If the minor is applying for All Visa Categories Except EEA/EU and Swiss National Family Member, the following supporting documents are required:
- Proof of current occupation:
– Original student letter: This letter should be recent (less than 1 month old), signed, and issued by a UK college or school. It should be addressed to the Mission and confirm the applicant’s enrollment.
- Proof of funds (in case the invitation does not indicate that the inviting party will cover the applicant’s expenses):
– Latest 3 months UK bank statements: These statements should show the applicant’s name, address, and an end balance dated within the last month of the visa application submission date. The balance should reflect a minimum amount of £13.00 per day of stay in the Schengen Area, in addition to outstanding accommodation and travel fees. Alternatively, online bank account printouts are also accepted.
– Travellers’ cheques: These should cover the same amount as explained above.
- Proof of travel (airplane, train, boat, coach, (hired) car):
– Confirmed return travel tickets: These tickets should mention the applicant’s name and travel dates to and from the Schengen Area.
– When traveling by car: Car registration, car insurance, and return travel tickets (ferry or Eurotunnel) should mention the car’s registration number and driver’s driving license. If the applicant is not the driver, a signed and dated cover letter from the driver confirming joint travel with the applicant and providing travel dates is also required.
– If travel tickets have been paid through a travel agency, a receipt, invoice, or payment confirmation is also required.
Proof of Accommodation
To support your visa application, it is essential to provide proof of accommodation. 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.
In case your name is not mentioned on the reservation, an additional joint travel confirmation letter is required. This letter must be signed and dated by the person whose name appears on the reservation. Along with the letter, please provide a photocopy of that person’s passport or ID card, including the passport signature page if the signature is not on the passport’s bio page.
If you are part of a group reservation, please provide a list of all the group members. Alternatively, you may mention the names of the group members on the travel ticket.
If you are staying with family or friends in Latvia, there are specific requirements to fulfill:
- 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.
- Invitation letter confirmed by the Latvian Embassy in London.
- Original invitation letter from your host in Latvia, which should confirm your name, the period and duration of your stay, the address of the place you will be staying, and be signed and dated by your host. If your host in Latvia is a non-EU citizen, their Latvian permit of stay is also required.
We hope this information clarifies the necessary documentation for proof of accommodation. Should you have any further questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Travel Insurance (Comprehensive Medical Travel Insurance)
The travel insurance, clearly displaying the applicant’s name, must be valid throughout the entire territory of the Schengen Area and provide coverage for the entire duration of the applicant’s intended stay. The minimum coverage for medical emergencies and repatriation, including a clause for such cases, must be €30,000.
For single entry applications, the insurance should also cover the 15-day “period of grace” in addition to the entire intended stay in the Schengen Area.
For multiple entry applications, the insurance should cover at least the entire duration of the first intended stay in the Schengen Area.
In the case of a minor applying as an EEA/EU or Swiss national family member:
– The original EEA/EU or Swiss national’s passport or ID card must be presented.
– Proof of relation to the EEA/EU or Swiss national, such as a marriage or birth certificate, must be provided. If these documents are not in English, Latvian, or Russian, a certified translation in the UK is required.
– Proof of joint travel must be provided.
For confirmed return travel by car, the following documents are required: car registration, car insurance, return travel tickets (ferry or Eurotunnel) with the car’s registration number and driver’s driving license. If the applicant is not the driver, a signed and dated cover letter from the driver confirming joint travel and travel dates must also be provided.
If travel tickets have been paid through a travel agency, a receipt, invoice, or payment confirmation is also necessary.
A written consent, signed and dated, from the EEA/EU or Swiss national family member confirming joint travel with the applicant, along with a copy of the EEA/EU or Swiss national family member’s passport’s bio and signature page, is required.
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.
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 for processing.
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 responsible for any resulting consequences.
We kindly remind applicants to consider these factors and plan accordingly when submitting their visa applications.
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.
