Long-Stay (D Type) — StudentVerified 2026-05-01Latvia Student Visa (Long-Stay D Type)
The Latvia Student Visa is a Long-Stay D Type visa for Indian students enrolled at education institutions accredited by Latvia. After receiving the long-stay visa (valid 90 days), upon entering Latvia students must apply for a residence permit at the Office of Citizenship & Migration Affairs (OCMA). All Indian student applicants are interviewed via Video Conferencing — applicable across India. ₹9,709 visa fee + ₹3,776 separate VC fee (Erasmus Exchange + PhD students are exempted from visa fee).
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Latvia — Schengen member · Embassy New Delhi · Hello Verify is MANDATORY before VFS
One Latvia visa = all 29 Schengen countries. But Hello Verify must come BEFORE VFS appointment.
All India applications are decided by the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia, New Delhi through VFS Latvia centres. India and Sri Lanka applicants cannot book a VFS appointment without first uploading their documents to Hello Verify and getting a confirmation slip — this is the single most-skipped step. For most categories, an OCMA invitation (from Latvia's Office of Citizenship & Migration Affairs at pmlp.gov.lv) is also mandatory and must be dated ≤6 months before application.
29 Schengen countries
Full Schengen member — Latvia visa unlocks the whole zone, not just Latvia.
Embassy New Delhi only
All India + Sri Lanka files decided by Embassy of Republic of Latvia, New Delhi.
10 working days (C) · 15 days (D)
Apply 2+ weeks before. Non-Delhi VFS centres add ~2 days for postal delivery to the Embassy.
The Hello Verify rule (India + Sri Lanka)
- Upload all visa-application supporting documents to Hello Verify for verification.
- Receive the Hello Verify confirmation slip — keep it; you must hand it to VFS at submission.
- Only then can you schedule the VFS appointment. Without pre-payment of VFS service charges (₹2,913) when scheduling, no slot is allotted. The slip is single-use — re-applying = redo Hello Verify.
VFS helpline: 022-67866025 · info.latviain@vfshelpline.com
Student visa applicants: all interviews are conducted via Video Conferencing — applicable across India. Separate ₹3,776 VC fee charged at appointment scheduling. Long-Stay D visas need €42,600 minimum insurance (vs €30,000 for short-stay) — note the higher coverage.
Note: SureshotVisa handles Latvia Tourist, Business, Cultural & Sports, Family/Friends, Medical Treatment, Airport Transit short-stay visas plus the Student (D) long-stay visa end-to-end through VFS. Employment (D) and Residence Permit (D) are informational only — those need a Latvian-side employer (with OCMA labour-market clearance) or an OCMA-issued positive residence-permit decision before VFS submission. Seafarer visas are carrier-driven (shipping company / maritime agency initiates) and informational on this site.
Processing
10 working days standard processing for Schengen Type C visas at the Embassy of Republic of Latvia, New Delhi
Stay Duration
Long-Stay D Visa valid for 90 days entry; thereafter, residence permit application at OCMA
Starting Fee
₹9,709
Apply At
12 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Latvia visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1Embassy of the Republic of Latvia, New Delhi processes ALL India + Sri Lanka applications. Single jurisdiction across India.
- 2HELLO VERIFY IS MANDATORY: India and Sri Lanka applicants cannot schedule a VFS appointment without first uploading documents to Hello Verify and obtaining a confirmation slip. The slip is single-use — re-applicants must redo the Hello Verify process.
- 3OCMA INVITATION RULE: For most Schengen short-stay categories AND all Long-Stay D Visa categories, an invitation approved by Latvia's Office of Citizenship & Migration Affairs (OCMA / pmlp.gov.lv) is mandatory. The invitation must be dated NOT LATER than 6 months before the application date.
- 4VFS service fees + Video Conferencing fee (where applicable for student visas) MUST be paid through the contact centre / online at appointment scheduling. Without pre-payment, no slot is allotted.
- 5Photo specification: 35mm × 45mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm), no more than 6 months old, white or off-white background, full face non-smiling, no sunglasses / hat / cap / head covering (except for religious or ethnic reasons with all facial features clearly visible).
- 6Travel medical insurance: €30,000 minimum coverage for Schengen Type C (plus 15-day 'period of grace'), €42,600 minimum for Long-Stay D Visa (90 days), covering urgent medical attention + emergency hospital + medical transportation + repatriation.
- 7Indian passport must be valid 3 months beyond intended Schengen departure, ≤10 years old, with at least 2 blank pages.
- 8Apply at least 2 weeks (14 days) before travel. Non-Delhi VFS centres add ~2 days for postal delivery to Embassy.
- 9Student visa applicants are interviewed via Video Conferencing — applicable across India. Bookable on Mon-Tue-Wed-Thu-Fri (operational day varies by centre — check before booking).
- 10Indian Income Tax Return (ITR) acknowledgments are mandatory: 2 years for short-stay, 3 years for Employment / Long-Stay D categories (Form 26AS + Form 16/16A + ITR-V).
- 11ALL student applicants need to appear for the interview — conducted via Video Conferencing across India centres. ₹3,776 VC fee charged at scheduling.
- 12Same OCMA invitation number cannot be reused if reapplying — fresh invitation required.
- 13Insurance: €42,600 minimum coverage for the 90-day Long-Stay D visa entry — covering urgent medical attention, emergency hospital treatment, medical transportation + repatriation in event of death.
- 14Customers who initiated/completed Hello Verify on or before 21 June 2022 must contact VFS Helpdesk (022-67866025) for updated application URL.
Who Can Apply
- Indian students enrolled at OCMA-accredited Latvian education institutions (universities, colleges)
- Erasmus Exchange students and PhD students (visa fee waived)
- Students with same-invitation-number cannot reapply — re-applicants must obtain fresh OCMA invitation
Not eligible under this visa:
- Short courses ≤90 days — apply for Schengen Type C educational training instead
- Students applying via wrong VFS jurisdiction (single India + Sri Lanka jurisdiction at Embassy Delhi)
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Latvia Long-Stay D Visa fee — adult | ₹9,709 |
| Latvia Long-Stay D Visa — child 0 to 12 | ₹0 |
| VFS service charge | ₹2,913 |
| Video Conferencing fee (Student visa) | ₹3,776 |
Visa fees are set by the Embassy of Republic of Latvia in INR and are non-refundable in case of refusal. The applicable INR fee tracks the current EUR / INR exchange rate and may change without notice. All VFS service charges are inclusive of CGST 9% + SGST 9%. As of 9 July 2018, VFS service fees + Video Conferencing fee (where applicable) must be paid through contact centre / online when scheduling an appointment — without pre-payment, no slot is allotted. The VFS service fee is in principle non-refundable, even if the applicant doesn't attend the appointment. Helpline: 022-67866025 / info.latviain@vfshelpline.com. Visa fee in Indian Rupees follows current exchange rate; non-refundable in case of refusal.
Documents Required
Application Documents
- !Long Stay Visa Application Form of the Republic of Latvia (filled, printed, signed by applicant)
- !Two photos (35mm × 45mm) — taken DURING visa submission as Live Photo
- !Valid passport (≥3 months validity beyond intended Latvia / Schengen departure, ≥2 blank pages)
Plus copies of identification pages + previously-issued visa pages.
- !Hello Verify Confirmation Slip
Mandatory for India + Sri Lanka — obtained BEFORE scheduling VFS appointment.
Study-Specific Documents
- !OCMA-approved invitation from the Latvian education institution
Dated ≤6 months before application. MANDATORY.
- !Signed Study Agreement + AIC (Academic Information Centre) Certificate
AIC Certificate is the Latvian government's recognition of foreign qualifications — get it via the Latvian institution.
- !Written certification from the higher education institution / college on student matriculation + Latvia arrival for completion of study programme
- !Copies of prior education diplomas + mark sheets
Subsistence (Financial Coverage)
- !Original private bank account statement — last 3 months with balance confirmation letter from bank, duly stamped + signed
- ○International Credit / Debit card activated for Euro transactions
Alternative to bank statement.
- ○Original university statement on availability of necessary financial means in the university account (if provided)
Signed and stamped by the university.
- ○Sponsorship — Notarized declaration of sponsorship (if sponsored by family/relative)
Plus sponsor's professional status proof: contract of employment / pay slips for last 3 months / self-employed certificate of company registration / company bank statements (last 3 months) / Current year ITR.
Latvian Accommodation
- ○University dormitory confirmation document
OR — accommodation owned by physical / legal person: notarized document of owner's consent + statement from land registry proving the property belongs to the consenting person + that they have the right to rent it.
Insurance + Other
- !Travel medical insurance — €42,600 MINIMUM (Schengen-wide, 90-day coverage)
Covers urgent medical attention + emergency hospital treatment + medical transportation + repatriation in event of death.
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Get OCMA invitation from your Latvian education institution
Your university files for OCMA invitation; you receive a digital copy. Dated ≤6 months before application.
Get AIC (Academic Information Centre) Certificate for prior qualifications
Signed Study Agreement + AIC Certificate together. AIC certifies your prior education.
Upload all documents to Hello Verify (MANDATORY)
Get the Hello Verify confirmation slip — keep it for VFS appointment.
Pre-pay VFS service charge (₹2,913) + Video Conferencing fee (₹3,776) at scheduling
Without pre-payment of both fees, no VFS slot is allotted.
Book VFS appointment + Video Conferencing slot
Mon-Fri operational days. VC interview is mandatory across India.
Submit at VFS + biometrics + live photo
Visa fee ₹9,709 (Erasmus / PhD exempted). Live photo captured at the centre.
Attend Video Conferencing interview
Conducted in English. Be ready to discuss study programme + post-study plans + ties to India.
Wait for the decision (15 calendar days from when Embassy receives documents from VFS)
If additional information is needed, decision can extend up to 60 days.
Travel to Latvia within the 90-day D Visa entry window
Apply for residence permit at OCMA upon arrival.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Latvia Schengen / Long-Stay Visa Online Application Form
Online form via VFS Latvia India. Print and sign before VFS appointment.
Hello Verify Document Upload Portal (MANDATORY for India + Sri Lanka)
All Latvia applicants from India and Sri Lanka MUST upload visa-application supporting documents to Hello Verify FIRST and obtain a confirmation slip. Without the slip, VFS cannot schedule an appointment. Single-use — re-applicants must redo the Hello Verify process.
Latvia Office of Citizenship & Migration Affairs (OCMA) — Invitation Portal
OCMA (Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvalde) is the Latvian government body that approves invitation letters for Schengen short-stays and decides residence permits for D visas. Invitations must be dated ≤6 months before the visa application date.
VFS Application Centres
Visa Eligibility Check
Answer 10 questions to see your likelihood of approval. Embassies look for the same core factors across visa types — financial strength, clear purpose, genuine intent to return.
How clear is your purpose of visit?
How long is your planned stay?
Travel history to developed countries?
Any previous visa refusals?
Employment / income source?
3-month average bank balance?
Income Tax Returns history?
Travel bookings status?
Ties to India (reasons you'll return)?
Travelling with?
Indicative only — final decision is always with the Embassy.
💡 Pro Tips
- Erasmus Exchange + PhD students are EXEMPTED from the ₹9,709 visa fee — confirm with the awarding institution / scholarship programme.
- VFS service fee + VC fee (₹6,689 total) is non-refundable — even if you don't attend the appointment.
- Hello Verify is single-use; if your application is refused and you reapply, you must redo the Hello Verify process.
- Same OCMA invitation number cannot be reused — re-applicants need fresh invitation from the Latvian institution.
- AIC Certificate can take 3-4 weeks — start early in your application timeline.
- Apply 8-12 weeks before semester start.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Missing OCMA invitation or invitation older than 6 months
- 2.Missing AIC Certificate or Study Agreement
- 3.Insurance below €42,600 or not covering 90 days
- 4.Insufficient financial-coverage proof
- 5.Hello Verify slip missing or single-use slip already consumed
- 6.Re-using OCMA invitation number from a previous (refused) application
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Video Conferencing interview mandatory for student visas?+
What if my OCMA invitation expires before I apply?+
Why is insurance €42,600 instead of €30,000?+
Can SureshotVisa help with Latvia student visas?+
Let us prepare your Latvia Student Visa — (Long-Stay D Type) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other Latvia Visa Types
Latvia Tourist Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Latvia Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C) from India through VFS. Hello Verify is mandatory before VFS appointment. Riga, the Baltic coast, Sigulda forests, and Jūrmala beach.
Latvia Business Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Latvia Business Visa (Schengen Type C) for Indian professionals — meetings, scientific / educational / professional events, agreements, estate negotiation in Latvia. OCMA invitation required.
Latvia Cultural, Sports & Religious Events Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Latvia Cultural Visa (Schengen Type C) for journeys undertaken for cultural, sports or religious events and for film crews. OCMA invitation required. Riga Song Festival, EuroBasket, Latvia film locations.
Latvia Family and Friends Visit Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Latvia Family and Friends Visit Visa (Schengen Type C) for Indian travellers visiting Latvian-resident family or friends. OCMA invitation required. Travel period less than 90 days.
Latvia Medical Treatment Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Latvia Medical Treatment Visa (Schengen Type C) for Indian patients seeking treatment at Latvian hospitals — Riga's Stradins University Hospital, dental clinics, rehabilitation centres.
Latvia Airport Transit Visa (Schengen Type A)
Latvia Airport Transit Visa (Schengen Type A) for nationals required to obtain it (Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, others) when transiting through Riga Airport. Indian citizens generally do NOT need this.
Latvia Seafarer Visa (Schengen Type C) — Informational
Latvia Seafarer Visa (Schengen Type C) — special for sailors entering Schengen to board / disembark vessels at Riga or other Schengen ports. Carrier-driven (shipping company / maritime agency initiates). Informational only.
Latvia Employment Visa (Long-Stay D Type) — Informational
Latvia Employment Visa (Long-Stay D Type) for Indian workers with confirmed Latvian employment + OCMA-approved labour clearance. Informational only — Latvian employer initiates with OCMA / State Employment Agency.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Latvia website and Embassy of Latvia. Last verified 2026-05-01. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.