Frequently asked questions

 

What advantages do Latvia's inhabitants gain from Latvia joining the Schengen Agreement?

On joining the Schengen Agreement Latvia's inhabitants, when travelling to Lithuania and Estonia as well as crossing the borders of Schengen states within the Schengen internal space, no longer need to stop at the border and have their passports checked. Furthermore, these borders may be crossed at any point, not just at border control points.

Is a passport necessary for travelling from one Schengen state to other Schengen states?

When travelling from one Schengen state to other Schengen states, it is necessary to take your passport with you. Whilst in some other Schengen states you may be requested to produce your passport, for example, by police officers.  

What are the advantages from Latvia joining Schengen for citizens of third countries holding a valid residency permit?

Foreigners who are in possession of residency permits issued by Latvia, may reside in other Schengen states for a period of up to 90 days in any half-year. It is no longer necessary to obtain a visa separately for this purpose.     

After Latvia joined the Schengen area, can a citizen of a third country who has been issued with a Latvian residency permit travel to other Schengen states for the purposes of employment?

A residency permit issued in Latvia does not confer the right for a foreign national to travel for purposes of employment to other Schengen Agreement states.

The Schengen Agreement does not apply to employment issues.

Can a foreign national who has been issued with a residency permit valid for another Schengen state enter Latvia? 

Article 21 of the Schengen Convention stipulates that a foreign national with a residency permit valid for a Schengen state may enter and stay in another Schengen state for a period not exceeding 90 days in any half-year. Each Schengen state shall determine for itself which of the documentation it has issued shall permit a person to travel to another Schengen state, and information regarding such documentation shall be included in the Common Consular Instructions on visas for diplomatic missions and consular posts  Annex 4: "List of documents entitling holders to entry without a visa" (See website: Access to European Union Law).

If a person is uncertain whether the documents in his possession confer such rights, he is recommended to consult with the immigration institutions of his own country of domicile.  

A citizen of a third country has been issued a visa having limited territorial validity, i.e., a visa not valid in all Schengen states. Bearing in mind that border control at internal borders has been abolished, can such a person nevertheless enter countries where his visa is not valid?

A person who has been issued a visa having limited territorial validity may cross in transit or remain only in those countries indicated on the visa sticker.

Even though border control on the borders of Schengen Agreement member states has been abolished, this does not exclude the possibility of a person's unlawful presence in a foreign country being discovered during a police check.

Now that Latvia has joined the Schengen area, will only Schengen visas be issued?

With Latvia's joining the Schengen area, Latvia's representations abroad have commenced issuing uniform or "Schengen Visas", valid throughout the entire territory of the Schengen states. The maximum period for which a foreign national may stay in the Schengen area with a Schengen visa is 90 days in any half-year, counting from the first date of entry into the Schengen area.

If a foreign national needs to stay in Latvia for more than 90 days in any half-year, then, depending on the situation, he must obtain a national long-term visa or residency permit. A long-term visa is valid only for domicile in Latvia, as well as for transit of other Schengen states for the purpose of entry into Latvia.

Can a visa for entry into Latvia be obtained at the embassy or consulate of any Schengen state?

Schengen visas are valid for travel within the territory of all member states of the Schengen Agreement. However, this does not mean that a foreign national may apply for a Schengen visa at any Schengen state representation. A visa application must be submitted to the representation of that country which is to be the only or main destination of the visit by the foreign national. If the foreign national intends to visit several Schengen states and it is not possible to determine which is to be the main destination state, then he must approach the representation of the country in which he intends to stay for the longest period. However, if the visits are of equal length, then he must approach the representation of that Schengen member state which is to be the first point of entry.

Can a Schengen visa be extended whilst in Latvia?

The Schengen visa can only be extended in exceptional circumstances which prevent the foreign national from leaving the territory of the Schengen state within the time stipulated on the visa. In Latvia, a Schengen visa can be extended by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of the Ministry of the Interior.

Can a tourism agency apply for visas on behalf of its clients?

Also after joining the Schengen Agreement, tourism agencies may submit visa applications to representations on behalf of their clients. The decision on the accreditation of the specific tourism agency shall be taken as required by the representation. Of significance to a representation, when deciding whether to co-operate with a particular tourism agency, shall be its reputation acquired while working with representations of Latvia as well as other Schengen states in the country of residence.   

Is it possible to ascertain the reasons for a refusal of a visa application?

Neither the Latvian Immigration Law, nor the regulations of the European Union currently in force in relation to visa matters, oblige an official who has refused a visa application to explain the reasons for refusing such visa application.

Who can I complain to about refusal of a visa application?

Refusal of a visa application cannot be challenged with another official, nor can it be appealed in a court of law.