VR Team | Nov 5, 2021 | 0 comments

Latvia Visa From Philippines – How to Apply for Latvian Schengen Visa Application Requirements Guide

There are 26 Schengen countries to choose from and Latvia is a great place to visit. There are more than enough tourist attractions to keep you busy. With lots of pretty towns and beautiful countryside to explore, you’ll be happy you made the decision to visit! In this article, learn more about how to apply for a Latvia visa from the Philippines, Latvia visa appointment booking, processing time at the Latvia visa application centre, flight itinerary for a Latvia visa, hotel bookings for a Latvia visa, Schengen travel insurance for a Latvia visa application, and Latvia visa application process in the Philippines.

Apply Latvia Schengen Visa From Philippines

Source: Image by radiobj5 from Pixabay

Latvia Schengen Visas

In 2019, 167,743 Latvia Schengen visa application forms were received and processed by embassies around the world. 3,987 were not issued (2.4%). There was no data regarding how many applications were dealt with by the Netherlands Embassy on behalf of Lativa.

Apply Latvia Schengen Visa From Philippines Statistics

Applying for a Latvia Schengen Visa from the Philippines

If you are planning on going to Latvia any time soon, you will need a visa!

Please note, there is no Latvian Embassy based in the Philippines. Instead, the Netherlands is authorized to issue visas on behalf of Latvia. This means, your visa application will be processed by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Manila. To apply, you must submit your application to VFS Global in Makati. The application process is identical to that of the Netherlands.

It takes 15 days for the embassy to make a decision, so you need to submit your documents at least 15 days before your trip. You can apply up to 6 months ahead, so make sure you allow enough time for your application to be processed.

Types of Schengen visas offered at VFS Global/the Embassy of the Netherlands in Manila

There are different types of visas that you can apply for. The one you need will depend on why you are going to Latvia and how long you are going for:

Short-stay Schengen visa – for tourism, business, visiting family/friends up to 90 days
Airport Transit visa – for travelers who are transiting through the Philippines on the way to a different destination
Long-stay visa (MVV) – for work, study etc., over 90 days. You may also require a residence permit, so you should look at the embassy’s website for more information if this applies to you

Visas are issued as:

Single-entry – you can enter Latvia once during the validity of the visa
Multiple-entry – you can enter Latvia as many times as you like during the validity of the visa

How Can I Apply for a Latvia Schengen Visa from VFS Global in the Philippines?

There are several steps you need to follow when you apply for a visa.

Step 1 – Identify visa type
Step 2 – Prepare your documents
Step 3 – Book an appointment
Step 4 – Visit a visa application center
Step 5 – Track your application
Step 6 – Collect your passport

Let’s take a look at each step in detail.

Step 1 – Identify visa type

Go to VFS Global’s website and click on: “Start now” under “Apply for a visa”:

Apply Latvia Schengen Visa From Philippines Online Application1

On the next page, you will see the step-by-step guide to apply for your visa. Scroll down to: “Step 1 – Identify visa type” and click on the link:

Apply Latvia Schengen Visa From Philippines Online Application2

You will then see the different types of visa you may apply for. It’s a good idea to read up on the type of visa you need:

Apply Latvia Schengen Visa From Philippines Online Application3

Step 2 – Prepare your documents

This step is really important! If you fail to submit all the required documents, it could lead to your application being rejected. On VFS Global’s website, scroll down to “Step 2 – Prepare your application” and click on the link for the online application form:

Apply Latvia Schengen Visa From Philippines Online Application4

You will be directed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Netherlands. Click on: “Schengen visa”:

Apply Latvia Schengen Visa From Philippines Online Application5

On the next page, scroll down and click on the type of visa you are applying for:

Apply Latvia Schengen Visa From Philippines Online Application6

Read through the guidelines and, when you are ready, click the blue box to fill in your application:

Apply Latvia Schengen Visa From Philippines Online Application7

You will start the application with the country of application which, in this case, is the Philippines:

Apply Latvia Schengen Visa From Philippines Online Application8

Once you have filled out all the requested information, print and sign the application form. Remember to take this with you when you submit your application along with your other supporting documents to VFS Global.

Supporting documents

Remember! Each visa requires different documents, so make sure you know what is needed before you submit your application.

You should also prepare photocopies as well as providing the original documents, so don’t forget to do that too!

Documents include:

A passport or official travel document issued within the last 10 years valid for at least three months and has at least 2 free pages
Copy of all pages of your passport
Visa application form
For non-Filipino applicants who have valid residence status in the Philippines – copy of Alien Certificate Registration (ACR), and re-entry permit
Passport photograph – taken within the last 6 months
Proof of travel insurance – at least €30,000 of medical costs are reimbursed, including hospital care, emergency treatment and repatriation (including in the event of death)
Reservation of return flight tickets – with Passenger Registration Number (or reservation number) and travel itinerary
Proof of financial means – bank certification/bank books and/or personal bank/credit card statements or balance covering the last six months
Hotel reservation or hotel voucher
Proof of sponsorship or an invitation letter from the host in Latvia
Marriage & birth certificates – certified by the National Statistics Office (NSO)
Affidavit of support & consent of parents (for minors) & parent’s ID
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) clearance
Proof of ties in the Philippines – employment contract or social security contributions, real estate property, family ties etc
If employed – certificate of employment, certificate of leave absence
If self-employed -Department of Trade Industry (DTI)/Securities Exchange Commission SEC registration of business, income tax return, business financial statement
If student – Proof of enrolment, certificate of leave absence

If you’re planning to obtain your flight reservation for visa without paying for the ticket, all you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:

Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
Submit the travel details and make the payment online
Receive flight itinerary in email

Step 3 – Book an appointment

Making appointments with the embassy, consulate or visa application centre is generally free and can be done yourself. However, If you are running short of time or not sure which consulate to apply to or have no idea on how to get this done yourself then not to worry, we will make the appointment for you for a small service fee!

Booking a visa appointment using our services is pretty simple! All you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:

Visit the link to schedule the visa appointment
Submit the appointment details, the visa you are applying for, consulate you need the appointment for, the country you need the appointment IN and make the payment
Receive appointment confirmation in email

You can also make an appointment on your own by following the steps below.

Go to VFS Global’s website and click on “Start now”
Scroll down to Step 3 – book an appointment and click on the link to schedule an appointment at the visa application center
Create a new account if you don’t already have one
Log in and make an appointment on a day that’s convenient for you

Step 4 – Visit a visa application center

On the day of your appointment:

Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment
Each applicant has to submit their application in person
Take a printed copy of your visa application
Take your passport or travel document with at least 2 blank pages
Take all supporting documentation (see below)
If you have not paid the fee online, you can pay your fee at the visa application center

You will also need to submit biometric data which is your fingerprints and photograph. Without biometrics information, your visa application will not be processed. However, if you have provided this information within the last 5 years and as part of a visa application, you should not have to do so again.

Once your application has been submitted, your application will be sent to the embassy in Manila. You may be called to attend an interview if the embassy needs further information. They may ask you questions like:

What do you know about Latvia?
How long are you planning on staying there?
Do you have children? If so, how old are they?
What date will you return to the Philippines?

These questions are not designed to trick you. It’s the embassy’s way of ascertaining all the facts to make a fair decision. All you need to do is to answer the questions honestly.

Don’t jeopardize your Schengen visa interview at the last minute. Use this comprehensive and thorough visa interview guide to crack the visa interview!

Visa fees

Visa fees are non-refundable even if your application gets rejected. They are usually paid in cash in Philippine Pesos. VFS Global in Manila charges an additional service fee of 901 PHP.

Type of Visa	Fee in Euros	Fee in PHP
Schengen visa	80	4,510
Schengen visa child (6-11)	40	2,250
Schengen visa child (under 6)	Free	Free

Step 5 – Track your application

You will receive an email when a decision has been made. However, for an extra cost, you can also choose to have an SMS sent to you. You can also track your application online. Click on the link under step 5:

Apply Latvia Schengen Visa From Philippines Online Application9

Then, key in your reference number and last name:

Apply Latvia Schengen Visa From Philippines Online Application10

Step 6 – Collect your passport

When your passport has been returned to VFS Global, you have 2 options:

Collect your passport from VFS Global
Have your passport returned to you via courier for an additional fee

The decision will be either:

Approved – you will find your visa inside your passport
Rejected – this could have been for many reasons

Rejection reasons include:

The purpose of your trip is not clear – you must state why you plan to go to Latvia and you must be clear about your intentions there. You can do this easily by providing an itinerary or a work permit etc., depending on the purpose of your trip
Your passport is out of date – you must provide a valid passport. If it is not valid, you must get a new one before you apply for your visa
You only provided 3 previous bank statements – this is unacceptable. You must provide bank statements covering the last 6 months
No proof of residence – if you are a non-Filipino resident of the Philippines, you must provide your Alien Registration Card and a re-entry permit

Reasons For Schengen Visa Rejections

How to contact VFS Global in Manila

Address: M01 Mezzanine Floor Ecoplaza Bldg, Don Chino Roces Ave Ext, Makati City 1231, Philippines

Phone: + 63 2 8528-2503 between 07.00 and 16.00, from Monday to Friday

Email: info.nlph@vfshelpline.com

Business hours: Monday to Friday, 07.00 – 16.00

Passport collection: Monday to Friday, 14.00 – 16.00

Prime time collection: Monday to Friday, 07.00 – 13.00

This visa application center has an additional fee requirement

Service Fee: PHP 901
Mode of Payment: Cash

Conclusion

To apply for a Latvia visa from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Manila, follow these simple steps:

Step 1 – Identify visa type
Step 2 – Prepare your documents
Step 3 – Book an appointment
Step 4 – Visit a visa application center
Step 5 – Track your application
Step 6 – Collect your passport

It won’t be long until you are enjoying everything Latvia has to offer!

At Visa Reservation, we strive to simplify the visa process by providing free visa consultations, cover letter templates and no objection letter templates for our clients from US, UK, Canada, Philippines, India, China, UAE, Europe, Nigeria and globally. We also offer flight itinerary for visa, travel medical insurance, hotel reservations for visa , Book Visa Appointment, Travel Guides, Visa Interview Guides and many more. To learn more about how we can help you with our visa services, please feel free to contact us today.