Description
OVERVIEW
All applicants, including children and infants, must personally submit their Schengen visa application on their scheduled appointment date.
Applicants who plan to visit and stay with family or friends who are legally residing in Latvia should apply as Visitor Family/Friends.
Eligibility
To be eligible to submit a Schengen visa application, applicants 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 for purposes such as tourism, visiting family or friends, business, being a family member of an EEA/EU or Swiss national, 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 act 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 desired.
Both the standard and supporting documentation must be recent, meaning they should not be older than one month. These documents are required 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 meet the criteria for the chosen 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 should be valid for a minimum of 90 days (about 3 months) 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 is older than 10 years, it is no longer acceptable, and the applicant must first apply for a new passport.
- Photocopies of previous Schengen visas issued within the last 3 years – If the 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 link provided for the photograph requirements.
We strive to provide a professional and efficient visa application process. If you have any further questions or require additional information,
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION
Proof of Current Occupation
To support your Schengen visa application, you will need to provide the following documentation related to your current occupation:
- Employer Letter (Original): This letter should be recent, dated within the past month, and must be signed and on the official company letterhead. The letter should be addressed to the Mission and include the name and position of the signee. It should also confirm your employment status.
Additionally, you must include your last three months’ pay slips.
- Student Letter (Original): If you are a student, you will need to provide a recent letter, dated within the past month, signed, and an official letterhead. This letter should be addressed to the Mission and include the name and position of the signee. It should confirm your enrollment as a student.
- Self-Employment Letter (Original): If you are self-employed, you will need to provide a recent letter, dated within the past month, signed, and on official letterhead. 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, you must obtain this letter from:
– Your accountant: If your company’s accountancy is handled 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 your business is registered, you must provide a Certificate of Incorporation received upon registering your business. If your name is not mentioned on the certificate, you must provide additional proof demonstrating your connection to the company.
- Unemployed/Retired
If you are currently receiving benefits, you must provide a recent original letter obtained from your local Jobcentre or Pension Service.
If you are not receiving benefits, you must include a cover letter explaining your financial situation.
Housewife
Proof of funds (in case there is no indication in the invitation that the inviting party will cover the applicant’s expenses):
The applicant must provide the latest 3 months of UK bank statements, which should clearly display the applicant’s name, address, and an end balance dated within the last month of the visa application submission date. The balance must show 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.
Proof of travel (airplane, train, boat, coach, (hired) car):
The applicant must present confirmed return travel tickets that mention the applicant’s name and travel dates to and from the Schengen Area. In the case of traveling by car, the applicant must provide car registration, car insurance, and return travel tickets (ferry or Eurotunnel) that mention the car’s registration number and the driver’s driving license. If the applicant is not the driver, a cover letter from the driver, signed and dated, confirming joint travel with the applicant and providing the travel dates, must also be provided.
If travel tickets have been paid through a travel agency, a receipt, invoice, or payment confirmation is also required.
Proof of accommodation:
If the applicant will be staying with family or friends in Latvia, the following documents are necessary:
- An invitation approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs in Latvia. The applicant should obtain a case or reference number from the host in Latvia.
2. An invitation letter confirmed by the Latvian Embassy in London.
3. An original invitation letter from the host in Latvia, confirming the applicant’s name, period and duration of stay, address of the place of stay, and signed and dated by the host. If the host in Latvia is a non-EU citizen, the host’s Latvian permit of stay is also required.
Please note that all documents should be presented in a professional
Travel insurance, specifically all-risk medical travel insurance, is a crucial requirement for individuals planning to visit the Schengen Area. It is imperative that the insurance policy clearly displays the applicant’s name and remains valid throughout the entire territory of the Schengen Area. Additionally, the insurance coverage must extend for the entire duration of the applicant’s intended stay in the Schengen Area. To meet the minimum requirements, the insurance policy should provide a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies and repatriation, including a clause for such circumstances.
For those applying for a single entry, the insurance policy should not only cover the intended stay but also include a 15-day ‘period of grace.’ This ensures that any unforeseen circumstances or delays are adequately accounted for during the applicant’s visit to the Schengen Area.
On the other hand, for individuals applying for multiple entries, the insurance policy must cover the entire duration of their first intended stay in the Schengen Area. This ensures that the applicant is adequately protected throughout their visit, regardless of the number of entries they make.
It is essential to adhere to these requirements to ensure the safety and well-being of travelers within the Schengen Area. By obtaining comprehensive travel insurance, applicants can have peace of mind knowing that they are protected against any unforeseen medical emergencies or repatriation needs 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
The application for a Schengen (short-term) visa can be submitted up to 6 months prior to the planned trip. The minimum processing time for a visa is 15 calendar days. However, in certain cases, the processing time may be extended up to 45 calendar days. To ensure a smooth process, it is highly recommended to submit the visa application no later than 15 calendar days before the intended travel date. Failure to do so may result in the Consulate Department refusing to accept the necessary documents.
For individuals holding multiple entry Schengen (short-term) visas, it is possible to apply for a new visa before the current one expires. Additionally, visa applications for family members of EU citizens will be prioritized and processed as quickly as possible.
We understand the importance of timely visa processing and strive to provide efficient services to all applicants.
Free Consultation
In order to begin your visa application process, we respectfully request that you complete the enclosed sample form (available in either PDF or Word format) in its entirety. If at any point you are unsure about any of the information required, please leave it blank. Once the form is complete, please submit it to us, along with a copy of your passport and BRP card/UK residency documentation, as well as any past Schengen visas that you may have previously obtained.
Please send the required documents via email to sales@globalvisaagent.co.uk.
Upon receipt of these documents, we will arrange a free consultation call to further discuss your application and take the necessary next steps. For any additional inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us directly at +442035001580.
We place utmost importance on data privacy and protection, ensuring that all your personal information is handled, stored, and deleted in strict accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) policy. You can have complete peace of mind knowing that your data is safeguarded with the highest level of security measures.