Latvia is an attractive destination for professionals, entrepreneurs and students from all over the world. But one of the most important steps is to apply for a visa or residence permit correctly. A common question is: where can I submit my documents if there is no Latvian embassy or consulate in my home country?
Why can the country of filing be different from the country of residence?
Not all countries have Latvian representations that accept visa or residence permit applications. For example:
– Pakistani nationals must apply through the Latvian Mission in the United Arab Emirates.
– For Bangladeshi nationals, via the representative office in India.
– Many African nationals have to apply in Athens, Berlin, Ankara or elsewhere in Europe.
To determine exactly which country you can apply to, you should consult the official Regulations Regarding the Territorial Competence of Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the Republic of Latvia for Requesting Visas
These rules provide for:
– a list of countries that belong to specific Latvian missions;
– territorial competence for visas and permits
– when using external service providers such as VFS Global.
Where should I actually submit the documents?
In practice, the most common way of submitting documents is through the international visa centre VFS Global, which acts on behalf of Latvian missions. Find your nearest office and available services here: https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/index.html
Important: The country of submission is determined by nationality, not current place of residence.
How can we help?
HR Line EU specialists provide professional support for visa and residence permit processing in Latvia. We:
– we’ll tell you where to submit your documents according to your nationality;
– we will prepare a full set of documents;
– we’ll help you book an appointment at VFS Global;
– we will support you throughout the process until a positive decision is reached.
Contact us – and let us make your journey to Latvia easier!
