Latvia Student Visa (Long-Stay D Type)
Latvia Student Visa (Long-Stay D Type) for Indian students enrolled at OCMA-accredited Latvian education institutions. ₹9,709 fee + ₹3,776 Video Conferencing fee. €42,600 insurance. All applicants interviewed via VC.
No visa is ever guaranteed — the final decision always rests with the Latvia visa authority. We make sure your file is presented at its strongest.
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
Your whole Latvia Student Visa,
handled for one honest price.
A strong Latvia file clearly explains your travel purpose, funds, and ties to India. We structure and submit everything properly — so your case is presented clearly and professionally.
All-in · 18% GST included · no hidden charges
File-ready in 3–5 working days after documents
4.9★ · 90+ reviews · reply in 5 min
Everything below — included, nothing extra
- Document checklist
- Application form guidance
- Document review
- Cover letter
- Purpose of travel structure
- Financial proof review
- Sponsor document guidance
- Submission & appointment support
- Post-submission guidance
Not sure you qualify? Start with a refundable ₹499 possibility report — an honest Yes / Maybe / No, credited to this fee.
Price is for our consultancy service only and includes 18% GST. No agency can guarantee a visa — the final decision rests with the visa authority.
Your fee, justified
₹24,999–₹34,999 fee — what exactly is included?
Our professional fee isn't just form-filling. It covers complete Latvia visitor visa preparation, document & refusal-risk review, financial-proof structuring, submission support and post-filing guidance. Tap any item to see what's inside.
Before we prepare your Latvia visitor visa file, we understand your complete profile — every applicant is different, so no two files are built the same way.
- Purpose of travel
- Employment or business background
- Monthly income & savings
- Funds available for the trip
- Family ties in India
- Property / assets, if any
- Previous travel history
- Relatives, friends or a sponsor in Latvia, if any
- Previous visa refusals, if any
- Planned trip duration
- Who is paying for the trip
- Whether the trip is realistic for your profile
A visitor visa isn't approved just because documents are attached — the purpose, funds, travel plan and return ties all have to support each other.
We don't hand everyone the same checklist. After understanding your profile, we build one for your exact case type:
- Salaried
- Business owner
- Self-employed
- Farmer / agriculture income
- Student or minor
- Retired parent
- Housewife / dependent
- Family visit
- Tourist visit
- Business visitor
- Previous refusal
- Sponsor-supported
- First-time traveller
This avoids missing key documents — and avoids piling on documents that aren't explained properly.
We review your documents before preparing and submitting, checking they're complete, readable, consistent and well-arranged:
- Passport & photographs
- Bank statements
- Salary slips
- ITR / Form 16
- Employment & leave-approval letters
- Business / GST / registration proof
- Income proof
- Property documents, if any
- Family & marriage documents, if applicable
- Invitation & sponsor documents, if applicable
- Previous refusal letter, if any
- Travel history, itinerary & stay proof
Funds are one of the most common refusal triggers. A high balance alone isn't enough if the money doesn't look genuine, stable, and tied to your income. We check:
- Whether the balance is reasonable for the trip
- Average balance vs trip cost
- Sudden large deposits that need explaining
- Salary / business income vs bank statement
- ITR vs income profile
- Whether you can afford the trip without leaning entirely on a sponsor
- Whether sponsor support is properly explained
- Whether funds look genuine and traceable
We help structure the financial side professionally so it reads as genuine, not borrowed for the application.
We help present a clear, realistic purpose — tourism, a holiday, a family/relative visit, an event, a business meeting, or parents visiting children — and make sure it lines up with your dates, funds, itinerary and documents.
A weak or vague purpose makes a file look doubtful. We keep it clear, simple and professional.
We prepare or structure the main explanation letter — a professional summary that makes your case easy for the officer to understand. It covers:
- Who you are and why you want to visit
- How long you'll stay and where
- Who is paying for the trip
- What you do in India
- Which financial documents are attached
- Your family ties in India
- Why you'll return after the visit
- If previously refused — what has changed since
This is not a guarantee letter — it's a clear, professional explanation of your case.
The officer must be satisfied you'll leave Latvia after your authorized stay. We identify and present your reasons to return:
- Job continuity or business ownership
- Regular income source
- Spouse / children / parents in India
- Dependents and family responsibilities
- Property or assets in India
- Education or business commitments
- Previous travel compliance, if any
If someone in Latvia is inviting you, we guide the sponsor-side documents:
- Invitation letter
- Sponsor status proof (passport / PR / citizenship)
- Sponsor employment & income proof
- Sponsor bank statement, if needed
- Relationship & communication proof
- Who bears expenses & stay arrangement
A sponsor supports the case but never guarantees approval — your own purpose, funds and ties must still be strong. We also flag if a file is leaning too heavily on the sponsor.
We guide or assist with the application form and details (online portal or the VFS/embassy form, depending on Latvia), and check consistency between the form and your documents:
- Personal, passport & travel-history details
- Employment & education history
- Family information
- Purpose of visit & funding details
- Sponsor information, if applicable
- Previous-refusal declarations
- Background questions
- Correct document categories
Wrong, incomplete or inconsistent information can hurt this application — and future ones too.
How a file is lodged depends on the country — some are fully online, while others (most Schengen states) need you to complete the form first, then book a VFS appointment and submit a physical file in person. We guide the exact Latvia process:
- Completing the application form first, where required, to unlock the appointment
- Booking the VFS / embassy appointment
- Arranging documents in the right order — for upload or the VFS counter
- Guiding the visa-fee payment
- Final review before submission or your VFS visit
- What to carry to the appointment (originals, photos, forms)
- Submitting / lodging and saving the confirmation
- What happens after submission
After submission, if biometrics are required, we guide you through:
- Biometrics Instruction Letter
- VFS appointment booking
- Documents to carry
- What to expect at the VFS centre
- How biometrics update in your application
- What to do once biometrics are done
Biometrics fee is separate, paid to the authority / VFS as applicable.
Our support doesn't stop at submission. We stay connected and guide you on:
- How to check application updates
- What official messages mean
- What to do if more documents are requested
- What to do after a Passport Request
- VFS passport submission & courier return
- Decision-update explanation
- Next steps after approval
- Basic guidance if refused
What's not included (paid direct, at actual cost)
- Government / embassy visa fee
- Biometrics fee
- VFS service charges
- VFS courier & SMS charges
- VFS premium-lounge charges
- Travel insurance
- Flight tickets
- Hotel bookings
- Translation charges
- Notary / attestation
- Medical exam, if ever required
- Any other third-party charges
No agency can guarantee a visa — the final decision is always the visa officer's. Our role is to prepare, review, structure and present your file professionally from the documents and profile you provide.
Good to know before you apply
Rules that apply to every Latvia visa type — worth a quick read so nothing trips up your file.
- 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)
Previously refused?
Same feeWe rebuild refused Latvia cases the right way.
What it costs
Government & VFS fees
Paid directly to Latvia / VFS — these are not our service fee, and we never mark them up.
| 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.
What to gather
Documents required
Having a document isn't the same as presenting it right — that's the part we handle.
Application Documents
4 items- Long Stay Visa Application Form of the Republic of Latvia (filled, printed, signed by applicant)Required
- Two photos (35mm × 45mm) — taken DURING visa submission as Live PhotoRequired
- Valid passport (≥3 months validity beyond intended Latvia / Schengen departure, ≥2 blank pages)Required
Plus copies of identification pages + previously-issued visa pages.
- Hello Verify Confirmation SlipRequired
Mandatory for India + Sri Lanka — obtained BEFORE scheduling VFS appointment.
Study-Specific Documents
4 items- OCMA-approved invitation from the Latvian education institutionRequired
Dated ≤6 months before application. MANDATORY.
- Signed Study Agreement + AIC (Academic Information Centre) CertificateRequired
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 programmeRequired
- Copies of prior education diplomas + mark sheetsRequired
Subsistence (Financial Coverage)
4 items- Original private bank account statement — last 3 months with balance confirmation letter from bank, duly stamped + signedRequired
- 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
1 item- 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
1 item- Travel medical insurance — €42,600 MINIMUM (Schengen-wide, 90-day coverage)Required
Covers urgent medical attention + emergency hospital treatment + medical transportation + repatriation in event of death.
Required · optional / if applicable
The journey.
9 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
Get OCMA invitation from your Latvian education institution
Your university files for OCMA invitation; you receive a digital copy. Dated ≤6 months before application.
- 02
Get AIC (Academic Information Centre) Certificate for prior qualifications
Signed Study Agreement + AIC Certificate together. AIC certifies your prior education.
- 03
Upload all documents to Hello Verify (MANDATORY)
Get the Hello Verify confirmation slip — keep it for VFS appointment.
- 04
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.
- 05
Book VFS appointment + Video Conferencing slot
Mon-Fri operational days. VC interview is mandatory across India.
- 06
Submit at VFS + biometrics + live photo
Visa fee ₹9,709 (Erasmus / PhD exempted). Live photo captured at the centre.
- 07
Attend Video Conferencing interview
Conducted in English. Be ready to discuss study programme + post-study plans + ties to India.
- 08
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.
- 09
Travel to Latvia within the 90-day D Visa entry window
Apply for residence permit at OCMA upon arrival.
What works
6 levers that flip a borderline case.
- 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.
What kills cases
Top 3 refusal triggers we see.
- 1Missing OCMA invitation or invitation older than 6 months
- 2Missing AIC Certificate or Study Agreement
- 3Insurance below €42,600 or not covering 90 days
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 the official VFS Global page for Latvia
- 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.
Frequently asked
Questions, answered straight
All student applicants from India are required to appear for an interview — but to avoid travel to New Delhi, the interview is conducted via Video Conferencing at any VFS Latvia centre across India. The interview is in English and covers your study programme, post-study plans, and ties to India. ₹3,776 VC fee charged at scheduling.
OCMA invitations must be dated ≤6 months before your visa application. If yours expires, get a fresh invitation from the Latvian institution — same number cannot be reused if you previously applied. Re-applicants must redo the entire process including fresh Hello Verify.
Schengen Type C insurance minimum is €30,000 — but Long-Stay D Visas (covering the 90-day entry period before residence permit) require higher €42,600 coverage including medical transportation + repatriation costs.
Yes — we coordinate with your Latvian university on OCMA invitation + AIC Certificate, manage Hello Verify upload, prepare the financial-coverage pack, schedule VFS + Video Conferencing appointment, and prep you for the interview. ₹499 consultation to start.
Still have a question about your case? Ask us directly — we usually reply in 5 minutes.
Before you apply
Two ways to file your Latvia visa.
One quietly burns your fee, your trip and your record. The other gets it right the first time.
Do it yourself
The risky route
- You guess which papers Latvia actually wants — one missing or wrongly-framed document triggers a refusal.
- You copy a cover letter off YouTube or Google — often the exact template embassies already flag as weak.
- You apply during a known peak-rejection window without realising it.
- Embassy & VFS fees are non-refundable — refused means your money, flights and leave are gone.
- One refusal stamp follows you for life — every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
The gamble
One mistake = fee, flights & record gone
With SureshotVisa
Professionally guided
- A licensed consultant checks your case honestly before you spend a rupee on embassy fees.
- We build your Latvia file the way the embassy approves — documents, cover letter, financials.
- We catch the weak-ties, funding and intent issues behind most Indian refusals — and fix them first.
- We've rescued hundreds of files that were already refused once and got them approved.
- Govt of Punjab licensed (Licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024) · 1200+ approvals.
Typical result
1200+ approvals · refused files rescued
Why DIY goes wrong
How a self-filed application turns into a refusal.
- 1
You feel ready
A few YouTube videos make the process look simple.
- 2
You file it yourself
You submit a sensitive Latvia visa file on your own.
- 3
One detail misreads
A small framing slip looks like weak ties or unclear intent.
- 4
Refusal
Now every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
Once you've been refused, you learn the hard way how much the small details mattered. We'd rather you never collect that first stamp.
Trusted by students & parents
We've helped many students & parents get their Latvia visa — the easy way.
From first-time Latvia visa applicants to cases that were refused elsewhere, our licensed team has guided students & parents through Latvia's exact requirements — so the file is approved the first time, without the stress, guesswork or risk of a refusal.
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.
View guideLatvia 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.
View guideLatvia 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.
View guideLatvia 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.
View guideLatvia 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.
View guideLatvia 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.
View guideLatvia 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.
View guideLatvia 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.
View guideSource & 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.
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