How to get a Latvia visa from South Africa

• The tourist visa is meant for leisure and tourism purposes.
• If you intend to spend some time with friends and relatives in the country, you can do so with this visa.
• No business activities are permitted.
• At the expiry of this visa type, you are required to leave the country.
• This visa does not allow foreigners to take up work while in the country.
• You are not allowed to study with this visa.
• A letter of invitation from the friend or relative you are visiting in Latvia is required.
• In the invitation letter provided by your host, the home address and valid means of identification of your host should be written in details.
• Minors should ensure they provide an unabridged original copy of their birth certificate.
• Applicants who are not of South African origin traveling from South Africa should present a copy of their South African stay permit.
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate is necessary.
• You are required to show a proof of paid visa application fee.
• The visa ceases to be valid after 3 months.

• South Africans applying for this visa aim to enter Latvia to maintain business relationships with already existing partners or to build up relationships with new partners.
• During business meetings between you and your partner, you can negotiate and sign contracts and agreements.
• You can attend conferences, trade fairs and business summits while in the country.
• A letter from your employer in South Africa should be provided. Your position in the company, duration and purpose of your visit should be stated in the letter.
• The company you are meeting up with in the country should provide a letter of invitation. If the company is going to be in charge of your expenses during your stay in the country, it should be stated in the letter.
• Certificate of business registration of the company you are meeting up with in Latvia is mandatory.
• If you have been in business with the company you are meeting with, proof of this is required.
• You cannot be paid for any of the services you render in the country.
• If you are under the age of 18 years, the original copy of your birth certificate should be provided.
• You are required to leave the country as soon as your visa expires.
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory.

• Transit visa is for travelers making a short stop in Latvia.
• Applicants of this are transiting through Latvia to their destination country.
• Flight ticket and visa to your destination country should be provided.
• Seamen who are transiting through a seaport in Latvia may also apply for this visa.
• You are cannot work or study with this visa.
• The visa is valid for 3 days.
• You are expected to leave the country before the expiry of your visa.
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory.
• Minors should present the original copy of their birth certificate.

• This is for students visiting Latvia for the purpose of taking up a course in one of the institutions of learning in the country.
• You must have been accepted into one of the institutions of learning in the country.
• Letter of acceptance from the institution of learning you have been accepted to. The letter should contain the duration of the course of study.
• Transcripts and certificates of the previous schools attended should be provided.
• You may take up work for at least 20 hours per week on a part time basis as long as it does not affect your study.
• Minors should provide a letter of consent signed by both their parents. The original copy of their birth certificate should be provided.
• You are required to obey all the rules of this visa.
• Certificate of yellow fever vaccination should be provided.
• Receipt of paid visa application fees is required.
• The visa takes 15 days before it is processed.

• This visa allows foreigners to take up work in the country.
• A letter of invitation from the company you have been employed to is required.
• You need a work permit.
• Minors should ensure they provide the original copy of their birth certificate.
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.
• Receipt of paid visa application fee is required.
• If you are not a South African citizen, a copy of your South African stay permit should be provided.
• If you are traveling with your spouse, you need to present your original marriage certificate.
• You are expected to abide by all the rules of your visa.
• At the expiry of your visa, you are expected to leave the country.

Latvia was formerly part of the Russian empire in the 18th century but they became independent after the Russian Revolution in 1917.

Euro is the widely accepted currency for use in Latvia.