Latvia visa process complete details

How to apply for a residence permit to study in Latvia

   

18.10.2016. 09:13

Foreign students must obtain a residence permit before entering Latvia. Here are the steps how to apply:

Student must receive an official invitation from the University. The invitation is filed in the Office of Citizenship and Migration (OCMA) by the University representative. Student must provide the invitation number upon submitting the documents.

Student should arrange an appointment with the Consular Section of The Embassy to submit the documents. The appointment is arranged by sending an e-mail toconsulate.egypt@mfa.gov.lv (full name, citizenship, telephone number, invitation number). Note: Residence permit application is submitted in person. No documents are accepted by mail!

Note that it takes up to 8 weeks to review the application.

During the appointment the applicant should submit all the required documents and have an interview with the Consular Officer.  Below is the list of the required documents:

a definite sample form for a residence permit request;

a passport;

a photography;

Police report issued by a competent institution of the citizenship or the host country, if a foreigner has resided in that country longer than 12 months. (Document should be legalized by the Foreign Ministry (or the Embassy) of student’s residence country.)

a document confirming the necessary subsistence : a bank certificate on the current balance of student’s account and the copy of the international credit card associated with the same account. The original of the credit card has to be presented during the appointment in the Embassy. The bank certificate has to be issued within last 3 months. It has to be issued in or translated to English, and has to include bank’s full name, address, stamp, signature of an official and official’s name. As of 1st of January 2016, the necessary subsistence means for students are calculated as the official minimum

wage in Latvia (370 EUR) multiplied by the number of months of intended studies (stay in Latvia). I.e. for the first year of studies the student’s account balance has to be at least 4 440 EUR. If the studies are financed by another person, the same rules apply, however, in latter case a certificate approved by

a notary and legalized is required enabling the student to use the person’s account in order to cover the expenses associated with the studies and living in Latvia.

a document confirming the envisaged place of residence in the Republic of Latvia and the rights to stay there;

an agreement on studies in the Republic of Latvia;

Documents confirming that you have acquired the necessary education to start the studies. (Document should be legalized by the Foreign Ministry (or The Embassy) of student’s residence country.)

the statement from the Academic Information Center of the Republic of Latvia (AIC) that your education document is sufficient for the studies in Latvia;

a document confirming the state duty payment. The fees are paid only in the bank. The account numbers will be provided by Consular Section during the interview.

State fee - 80 USD* (application reviewed within 30 days) or 240 USD (application reviewed within 10 days), or 400 USD (application reviewed within 5 days, after being received by OCMA)

Exception!! Students applying for a master degree or doctorate are exempted from the state fee

Consular fee  -   80 USD,

Legalization fee - 20 USD for one document

 

Residence permit application is reviewed by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) of Latvia. ONLY IF THE DECISION OF OCMA IS POSITIVE THE STUDENT CAN APPLY FOR D CATEGORY VISA.  D visa is issued within few days up to 10 days). List of the required documents for D visa.

Passport or other travel document (containing at least two blank pages, with a term of validity of the passport that exceeds that of the visa by at least three months, the passport must be signed by the bearer and issued within the last 10 years, previous passport);

Visa application , (legibly filled out and signed by the applicant), ATTENTION! – this form can be filled only by persons who have received the positive decision of OCMA about their residence permit. The form is not valid for any other use.  

1 color photo (size 35mm x 45mm, made on a white background);

Travel medical insurance policy (valid in all Schengen countries, covering the period of 30 days, the minimum amount of the insurance is 42 600 EUR);

Confirmed airline tickets reservation

Nonrefundable payment 60 EUR. To be paid to the Embassy’s account prior the visit:  Account number: Embassy of Latvia: Commercial International Bank EGYPT: 0760800110; SWIFT CODE CIBEEGCX007

The Residence permit is issued in OCMA.