“Travel broadens one's horizons,” wise men know. And they are right. Only going beyond the usual framework, to which a person has grown and even "took root", he will feel a new impetus for life. And look at it as a whole or the situation from the other side.
Travelers are divided into 2 subgroups:
- the first group includes those who are content with traveling exclusively throughout their country;
- in the second subgroup - people who prefer overseas trips to local ones.
And most interestingly, both of them are right!
About trips to another country
Traveling with different goals:
- - on a tourist permit,
- - a trip to visit;
- - business trip;
- - missionary trip and others.
Also, travel to another country for the purpose of long-term work or moving with your family for permanent residence is not uncommon.
And in order for the border crossing to proceed smoothly, it is necessary to open in advance the visa of the country into which there is an intention to enter, or Schengen.
A few words about Latvia
This is one of the smallest countries in Europe, in particular, the Baltic states. It attracts tourists with the beauty of nature: sandy beaches, sea, lakes, pines.
The largest number of tourists comes to the sea - to Jurmala.
The country is also famous for amber stone, from which jewelry, decor for paintings, panels are made.
What are the visas to the Republic of Latvia?
The opening of visas to this wonderful country is now possible at the Latvian Visa Application Center in Moscow, which is geographically located in Nizhny Susalny Lane. This is in the vicinity of the Kurskaya metro station.
Visas to Latvia are divided into categories:
1. Transit:
- Type A - for staying in the country for a period of 24 hours, without going beyond the borders of the Latvian airport.
- Type B - for 72 hours, with the right to exit the airport.
2. Schengen visa. This type of document allows you to cross the Latvian border once or twice. Validity 3 months. Multiple Schengen visa - for 180 days.
3. National visa. This visa gives the right to stay in Latvia up to 3 months. The total validity period is six months. Due to the fact that Latvia is included in the list of Schengen countries, it is also possible to enter other countries from this list with a national visa (if there is no special mark prohibiting such movement).
Documents for opening a visa
Before contacting the Latvian Visa Application Center in Moscow, the following documents must be prepared:
1. A questionnaire completed in Latvian, English or Russian.
2. Biometric data for people over 12 years old. For children under 12 years old - only a photograph taken at the Latvian Visa Application Center.
3. Two photos of 35x45 millimeters in color, one of which is for the profile. The background is light, 80% of the face in the photo. Prescription - up to 6 months.
4. Foreign passport. If there is an old one with a Schengen visa - also provide.
5. A document containing information on official income and work experience. In the absence of official work in the visa center of the Republic of Latvia, it is necessary to provide information on savings in the bank.
6. A check confirming payment of the consular fee.
7. Return flights.
8. Document on booking a hotel in Latvia.
9. Insurance document.
10. If the family planning the trip has children under 18 years old, the birth certificates of the children are attached to the documents.
11. Copy of the internal passport. It is necessary that there are all important pages, also a registration. The copy should be clear.
Features of the interview
When obtaining a visa to Latvia in the visa center you must pass an interview. An employee of the center, in addition to checking the availability of necessary documents, will ask additional questions: about the purpose of the trip, knowledge of information about the country, and others.
For Russians, the advantage is that there is no language barrier with Latvians.
Visa Application Dates
A visa is issued at the Latvian Visa Application Center in Moscow in 10 days.
The second option is expedited visa processing. Then - 3 days. But the cost will be 2 times more.
Visa Waivers
Typical mistakes made by citizens who have been denied a visa:
- - inaccuracy of the address of the place of stay in Latvia;
- - the validity of the passport expires;
- - lack of 2-3 free pages in the passport;
- - an error in the spelling of the name of the inviting party in Russian;
- - problems in obtaining health insurance.
Recommendation: be careful when applying for and applying for a visa to Latvia!
Innovation for travel agencies
According to the media (RATA-News), an innovation has appeared for tour operators: since the beginning of September 2017, they no longer have the right to submit documents for opening a visa to Latvia for customers. And therefore, as the source reports, organized tourism of Russians to Latvia will stop. And each citizen of the Russian Federation will independently open visas at the visa center or embassy.
Address of the Latvian Visa Application Center in Moscow: Nizhny Susalny Lane, Building 5, Building 19, 1st Floor. This is a government agency.
Visa center reviews
The beginning of the working day in the center is at 9 in the morning. According to customer reviews, the queues at this time and after 2:00 p.m. are the largest, because the waiting time to get to the reception window is on average 2-3 hours.
If you arrive at the visa center by 11.00, the likelihood of quick service (5-20 minutes) increases.
The overall customer experience of the downtown environment and service is above average. Particularly often noted a polite attitude on the part of employees receiving documents and issuing passports with a visa. All reception windows always work, which also gives a positive characteristic to the institution. The room is comfortable.
Also, all clients who applied to the Latvian Visa Application Center in Moscow especially note that the visa processing time is minimal - 6-10 days. Which is much faster and easier than in the embassy.