Published: 10 January 2026 | Last updated: 10 September 2026 | Reviewed by our editorial team
To apply for a Latvia tourist visa from the UK in 2026, you need a valid passport, a completed application form, a detailed travel itinerary, confirmed hotel bookings, and travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 medical coverage. The consular fee is €80 for adults and you must submit your application at a VFS Global visa application centre at least 15 days before travel.
The standard processing time is 15 calendar days, which can extend up to 45 days in complex cases. Your travel itinerary must show a day-by-day plan with dates, cities, and transport details, while your proof of accommodation must include confirmed booking references covering your entire stay in the Schengen Area.
What Is a Latvia Tourist Visa and Do UK Citizens Need One?
A Latvia tourist Schengen visa is a short-stay Category C visa permitting non-EU travellers to remain in Latvia and across all 27 Schengen member states for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. The visa is available as single-entry, allowing one continuous stay, or multiple-entry, permitting repeated visits within the validity period, subject to the 90/180-day rule.
Under the main destination rule, you must apply at the Latvian embassy if Latvia is your primary destination (longest stay). If visiting multiple Schengen countries equally, apply at the embassy of your first country of entry.
Do UK Citizens Need a Latvia Tourist Visa?
UK passport holders can travel visa-free to Latvia and the wider Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism, according to gov.uk. Non-UK nationals residing in the UK on a Biometric Residence Permit must apply if their passport country requires a Schengen visa; a BRP alone does not grant visa-free Schengen access.
The visa-waiver arrangement will change once ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) launches in Q4 2026, requiring UK citizens to obtain online authorisation for €20, valid for 3 years or until passport expiry. Travellers under 18 and over 70 are exempt from the fee.
Required Documents and Passport Rules for a Latvia Tourist Visa
The Latvia tourist Schengen visa requires these 9 supporting documents:
- Valid passport (meeting the rules below)
- Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
- Two recent biometric passport-sized photos (35 x 45 mm, white background)
- Travel itinerary with flight reservations and dates
- Proof of accommodation (hotel bookings covering the full stay)
- Travel medical insurance (minimum €30,000 coverage)
- Bank statements or payslips as proof of financial means
- Visa fee payment receipt (€80 adults, €40 children aged 6-12)
- Cover letter explaining the purpose of the visit
Passport Requirements
The Latvia tourist Schengen visa mandates a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure from the Schengen Area, issued within the last 10 years, with a minimum of 2 blank pages for the visa sticker (Source: mfa.gov.lv).
Visa Application Form
The application form is available for download from the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal (mfa.gov.lv) or the VFS Global website (vfsglobal.com). The Latvia tourist Schengen visa requires the form to be signed in person, with the signature matching the passport.
Itinerary and Flight Booking Requirements for Latvia
The Latvia tourist Schengen visa requires a day-by-day travel itinerary showing dates, cities, transport, and accommodation, consistent with verifiable flight reservations showing entry and exit from the Schengen Area within the 90-day window.
| Day | City | Transport | Accommodation | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riga | Flight from UK | Hotel in Old Town | Arrival, Old Town walking tour |
| 2 | Riga | Local transport | Same hotel | Central Market, Art Nouveau district |
| 3 | Jūrmala | Train (Riga to Jūrmala) | Hotel near Jomas Street | Beach, Jomas Street |
| 4 | Sigulda | Bus (Jūrmala to Sigulda) | Hotel in Sigulda | Turaida Castle, Gauja National Park |
| 5 | Riga | Bus (Sigulda to Riga) | Hotel near airport | Return, shopping, farewell dinner |
| 6 | Riga to UK | Return flight | N/A | Departure |
Itinerary dates must match flight and hotel bookings; mismatches are a common refusal reason. In practice, applicants have been refused because their itinerary listed a city on a date that did not align with the corresponding hotel booking.
Flight Booking Requirements
A verifiable flight reservation, not a fully purchased ticket, satisfies the Latvia tourist Schengen visa application. The reservation must include the applicant’s full name, flight numbers, departure and return dates, and a confirmed PNR (booking reference). Round-trip booking is required; one-way reservations may raise concerns. The PNR must remain active until the visa is issued, as the consulate may verify it.
Hotel Bookings, Travel Insurance, and Proof of Funds
Three additional documents are mandatory for the Latvia tourist Schengen visa: confirmed accommodation, travel insurance, and proof of financial means.
| Document Type | Accepted? | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed hotel voucher | ✅ Yes | Guest name, hotel address, dates, booking reference |
| Airbnb reservation confirmation | ✅ Yes | Host information, dates, booking reference |
| Host’s invitation letter | ✅ Yes | Host’s full address, ID copy, proof of legal residence |
| Refundable hotel booking | ✅ Yes | Generally accepted; prepaid bookings are stronger proof |
| Screenshot of search results | ❌ No | No booking reference, not verifiable |
| Unconfirmed / in-cart bookings | ❌ No | Must show confirmed status |
Accommodation must cover the entire duration of stay in the Schengen Area, and dates must align with the travel itinerary and flight bookings.
Travel Insurance Requirements
The Latvia tourist Schengen visa mandates €30,000 minimum medical coverage, including emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation, and repatriation of remains, valid across all 27 Schengen member states for the full trip duration. UK National Health Service (NHS) coverage does not satisfy this requirement. Recommended insurers for UK-based applicants include Allianz Global Assistance, AXA Schengen, Post Office Travel Insurance, and CoverForYou.
Proof of Financial Means
Applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds of approximately €50-70 per day of stay through bank statements covering the last 3-6 months. Payslips from the last 3 months, tax returns, and sponsor letters for dependents are also accepted. Large recent deposits without explanation may raise suspicion.
How to Apply for a Latvia Tourist Visa from the UK
Gather all required supporting documents
Collect all 9 supporting documents needed for your application.
Complete the application form
Download and fill in the form from mfa.gov.lv or vfsglobal.com.
Book and attend a VFS Global appointment
Submit your biometric data at the visa application centre.
Pay the visa fee
€80 for adults, €40 for children 6-12, free under 6, plus VFS service fee.
Wait for processing
Standard processing takes 15 calendar days, up to 45 in complex cases.
Collect your passport
Collect in person or via courier service.
Where to Apply from the UK
Latvia tourist Schengen visa applications are submitted at VFS Global visa application centres in London, Manchester, and Edinburgh. Book appointments online at vfsglobal.com. A Premium Lounge option is available for priority processing, refreshments, and form assistance at an additional fee.
Biometric Requirements
The Latvia tourist Schengen visa requires applicants aged 12 and over to provide 10 fingerprints and a digital photo. Fingerprints submitted within the last 59 months may be reused from the VIS database. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting but must still provide a photo.
When to Apply
Apply between 6 months and 15 calendar days before entry. Peak season (June to August) may require additional processing time.
Latvia Tourist Visa Fees and Processing Times in 2026
The Latvia tourist Schengen visa carries a consular fee of €80 for adults (aged 12 and over) and €40 for children aged 6-12, while children under 6 are exempt. The Latvian Embassy processes the visa; VFS Global charges an additional £25-£40 service fee.
| Cost Component | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consular fee – adults (12+) | €80 | Non-refundable even if refused |
| Consular fee – children (6-12) | €40 | Non-refundable |
| Consular fee – children under 6 | Free | No consular fee |
| VFS Global service fee | ~£25-£40 | Varies by location |
| Optional: Premium Lounge | Additional fee | Priority processing, refreshments |
| Optional: Courier return | Additional fee | Passport delivered to doorstep |
| Optional: SMS alerts | Additional fee | Application progress updates |
| Optional: Form-filling assistance | Additional fee | End-to-end help with the form |
| Total estimated cost (typical adult) | ~€100-€120 | Consular fee + standard VFS fee |
Standard processing takes 15 calendar days from submission, extending to 45 calendar days in complex cases requiring additional documentation.
Visa fees, processing times, and ETIAS implementation dates are subject to change. Our editorial team reviews all visa-related articles quarterly and cross-checks data with official sources, including mfa.gov.lv and gov.uk. Always verify current requirements with the Latvian Embassy or VFS Global before applying.
FAQ
Do I need a Latvia tourist visa if I’m a UK citizen?
No, UK passport holders travel visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Once ETIAS launches (projected Q4 2026, €20 fee), online travel authorisation will be required.
Can I visit other Schengen countries with a Latvia tourist visa?
Yes, a Schengen visa issued by Latvia is valid for all 27 Schengen countries, provided you follow the 90/180-day rule.
How much does a Latvia tourist visa cost in 2026?
The consular fee is €80 for adults and €40 for children aged 6 to 12. Children under 6 are exempt. VFS Global service fees are additional, typically £25 to £40.
How long does it take to get a Latvia tourist visa?
Standard processing takes 15 calendar days. In complex cases or peak season, it can take up to 45 calendar days.
What if my Latvia tourist visa is refused?
You will receive a refusal letter stating the reason. Common reasons include insufficient financial proof or incomplete documents. You have the right to appeal, typically within 15 days, or reapply with corrected documentation.
Can I travel to Latvia with a UK BRP?
It depends on your nationality. If your passport is from a visa-exempt country, you can travel visa-free. If your passport requires a Schengen visa, you must apply regardless of holding a UK BRP.
Do I need to give fingerprints for a Latvia visa?
Yes, applicants aged 12 and over must provide 10 fingerprints. If you provided fingerprints for a Schengen visa within the last 59 months, they may be retrieved from the VIS database.
What is the minimum bank balance for a Latvia tourist visa?
There is no fixed official minimum, but a general guideline is approximately €50 to €70 per day of stay. Bank statements covering the last 3 to 6 months are required.
What is ETIAS and how will it affect UK travellers to Latvia?
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is projected to launch in Q4 2026. UK citizens travelling visa-free will need ETIAS authorisation online for €20, valid for 3 years.
What happens if I overstay my Latvia tourist visa?
Overstaying the 90-day limit results in border control penalties, potential deportation, and may affect future Schengen visa applications. Always comply with the 90/180-day rule.
