Latvia visa fees are non-refundable once your application enters processing. You may request a Latvia visa refund only by cancelling before the consulate begins reviewing your case. If approved, the refund takes up to 15 working days and returns to your original payment method.
The consular fee for a short-stay Schengen visa in 2026 is €80 for adults, which covers application processing rather than the visa outcome. If your visa is refused or you withdraw the application after processing has started, this fee is lost. The consular fee and VFS Global service fee have different refund rules.
UK applicants must act quickly to secure a refund. Cancellation between submission and forwarding to the consulate may yield a partial refund.
Are Latvia Visa Fees Refundable in 2026?
A Latvia visa refund is possible only if you cancel before processing begins. The 2026 consular fee for a short-stay Schengen visa is €80 for applicants aged 12 and over, €40 for children aged 6-12, and free for children under 6, per the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia. Type D national visa fees also stand at €80 and follow the same non-refundable principle. These fees cover application processing costs, not the visa decision outcome.
| Fee Component | Refundable? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Consular / visa application fee (€80 short-stay C) | ❌ No, once processing begins | Only before the application is submitted to the consulate |
| VFS Global service fee | ⚠️ Conditional | Only if cancelled before the appointment or biometrics are processed |
| Value-added services (SMS, lounge, courier) | ⚠️ Conditional | Depends on whether the service has already been used |
Eligibility for a Latvia visa refund depends on timing: the only viable refund trigger is a cancellation made before your appointment or biometrics take place. Once the consulate has started reviewing your case, the visa application fee becomes non-refundable, and the service fee is likewise retained. Latvia follows the Schengen rule: fees fund administrative processing, not the visa outcome.
Refused vs Withdrawn: How Latvia Visa Refund Outcomes Differ
A Latvia visa refusal means the €80 consular fee is fully consumed, while a withdrawal permits a partial Latvia visa refund only if consulate application processing has not yet started.
| Scenario | Consular Fee (€80) | VFS Service Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Visa refused | ❌ Non-refundable | ❌ Non-refundable |
| Withdrawn before processing | ⚠️ Potentially refundable | ✅ Refundable |
| Withdrawn after processing started | ❌ Non-refundable | ❌ Non-refundable |
| Cancelled before appointment/biometrics | ✅ Refundable | ✅ Refundable |
| Overpayment or erroneous payment | ✅ Excess refunded with proof | N/A |
A visa refusal triggers zero refund eligibility because the fee covers officer time, document verification, and security checks, not the outcome. The refund window is narrow: it exists only between submitting your application and VFS forwarding it to the consulate. A successful appeal does not trigger Latvia visa refund recovery, even if the original decision is overturned.
How Long Does a Latvia Visa Refund Take?
The Latvia visa refund processing timeline is up to 15 working days from approval, with the amount returned to the original payment method used at VFS or the Latvian consulate.
Submit refund request
Via your VFS Global account
VFS reviews eligibility
Within 1-3 working days
Refund approved & initiated
Eligibility confirmed by VFS
Funds returned
To original payment method within 15 working days
UK applicants paying in GBP through VFS UK may receive a slightly different GBP amount due to currency conversion fluctuations. The refund is converted back at the exchange rate applied on the refund date, not the original payment date. A Latvia visa refund does not cover intermediary bank fees, and no interest is paid on the refunded amount.
If your refund has not arrived after 15 working days, contact VFS Global customer service with your booking reference.
How to Request a Latvia Visa Refund – Step by Step
Submit your Latvia visa refund request via VFS Global’s “Request a Refund” option in your VFS Global online account. Required documents: proof of payment (receipt or bank statement), booking reference/application ID, passport copy, and bank details (sort code/IBAN).
Check eligibility
Cancel before the consulate reviews your case, not after biometrics or document submission.
Gather required documents
Proof of payment (receipt or bank statement), application reference or booking ID, passport copy, refund request form (if provided by VFS), and bank details including sort code or IBAN.
Submit the request
Use the “Request a Refund” option in your VFS Global online account, or contact the Latvian consulate directly if you applied through the embassy.
Wait 15 working days from approval
VFS confirms eligibility within 1-3 working days, then refund is initiated.
Check your bank statement
If funds have not arrived within 15 working days, follow up via VFS customer service with your booking reference.
VFS Extra Services (SMS alerts, premium lounge, courier delivery, prime appointment slots) are refundable only if the service has not yet been used or activated, with a typical timeline of 15 working days. The base VFS service fee follows the same eligibility rules as the refund request itself.
Last updated: September 2026. This website is an independent information portal and is not affiliated with VFS Global, the Latvian Embassy, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia. Verify current fee schedules on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia website and VFS Global refund terms before submitting any application.
FAQ: Latvia Visa Refund Rules and Eligibility
Can I get a refund for my Latvia visa application if it is refused?
No. The €80 consular fee for adults in 2026 is non-refundable once processing has begun, as it covers the cost of evaluating your application, not the final visa decision.
How do I get a refund on my Latvia visa payment?
Request a Latvia visa refund only if you cancel before processing starts. Submit your request through the VFS Global online portal with your booking reference, proof of payment, and bank details.
How long does a Latvia visa refund take?
Once approved, the refund processing takes up to 15 working days and is credited back to the same payment method used for the original transaction.
Will I get my money back if I withdraw my Latvia visa application?
Withdrawal before processing: VFS fee refundable, consular fee possibly returned. Withdrawal after processing: both fees lost.
Is the VFS Global service fee refundable?
Yes, but only if you cancel before VFS has forwarded your application to the consulate or before your appointment and biometrics are processed. Once processing has started, the service fee is non-refundable.
Do I lose money on currency conversion during a Latvia visa refund?
Yes. GBP payments refunded in EUR may lose value due to exchange rate fluctuations and intermediary bank fees, which VFS and the consulate do not cover.
Can I recover fees if my Latvia visa refusal is overturned on appeal?
No. Even if your appeal is successful, the original processing fee is not refunded. The consular fee was already used to process the initial decision.
What if I accidentally overpaid my Latvia visa fee?
Contact the Latvian consulate or VFS Global immediately with proof of payment. Excess amounts may be refunded via a separate request with supporting documentation.
Is a Latvia visa fee refund the same as a VAT refund for tourists?
No. A Latvia visa refund relates to application processing fees. A VAT refund relates to shopping in Latvia and is managed by the State Revenue Service of Latvia (VID).
