COLLECTIONG BIOMETICS - VIS - VISA INFORMATION SYSTEM

The Embassy of Latvia in Washington D.C. and other Schengen State’s embassies and consulates in the U.S. have implemented the Visa Information System (VIS).

The VIS is a system for the exchange of visa data among Schengen Member States. These States share a common area of free movement without internal border controls. They have a common visa policy which includes exchanging information on visa applicants.

The visa applicant's bio-metric data (10-digit finger scans and digital photograph) is collected. It is a simple and discreet procedure that only takes a few minutes. Bio-metric data, along with the data provided in the visa application form, is recorded in a secure central database.

10-digit finger scans are neither required from children under the age of 12 nor from people who cannot physically provide finger scans.

Frequent travelers to the Schengen Area do not have to give new finger scans every time they apply for a new visa. Once finger scans are stored in the VIS, they can be re-used for further visa applications over a 5-year period.

What does this mean to you if you are applying for a visa to enter Latvia?

If you have never had your bio-metrics (fingerprints) taken at a Schengen State embassy or consulate for a visa to travel to Europe/Latvia, you will need to make an appointment. If you reside on the West Coast, you can now do this via the Consulate General of Poland in Los Angeles. All other applicants will need to contact the Embassy of Latvia in Washington D.C., and go there for your visa application appointment.  All visa applicants will have to appear in person when lodging the application, in order to provide their fingerprints. You cannot apply by mail for a visa. Nor, unfortunately, can you do this via the Consulate of Latvia in Vermont.

An appointment normally takes 7 days to schedule. But you can requested expedited service for an additional fee. After your appointment, the visa will be sent back to you by mail or FedEx, and this take about 10 days. An expedited service can also be arranged if required.

If you have had your bio-metrics taken at a Schengen State embassy/consulate for a visa to travel to Europe/Latvia in the past 5 years, you only need to send your application and passport to the Embassy of Latvia in Washington D.C. in order to receive your new visa.

You can find all application documents for a Schengen visa on the Embassy of Latvia's website, in the Consular information section.

As reminder, you need to apply for a Schengen visa if a) your are not a U.S. passport holder and do not hold a passport of a country that does not require a Schengen visa (see list here); b) Latvia is your primary destination in Europe; b) Latvia is your only destination in Europe; or, c) you have a number of destinations in Europe, but your first port of entry is Latvia.

No border controls for traveling in the Schengen Area

Latvia is part of the Schengen Area. The Schengen agreement allows for passport-free travel across 26 nations in Europe. Those travelers requiring a visa for Latvia require a Schengen visa. A valid Schengen visa is valid for entry into the territory of Latvia.

There are no border controls on the internal borders between Schengen countries, therefore citizens of the European Union and third-country nationals are free to travel within the Schengen Area. If you arrive in Latvia by car or bus from Lithuania or Estonia, or if you travel by ferry or plane from the Schengen countries, you will not have to go through border controls. However, if emergency situations should arise, Schengen member states do have the capacity to temporarily reintroduce border controls for a certain period of time. So please check on such information and verify the conditions and circumstances before beginning your trip.

While under normal conditions, there are indeed no border controls, this does not mean you can leave your travel document behind. While traveling in the Schengen Area, you must have your passport along, and it is this document that can be used as proof of your identity. Bear in mind that drivers’ licenses and bankcards are not deemed to be valid travel documents and such documents are also not considered valid for purposes of personal identification.

For more information about Latvia’s and the EU’s shared EES (Entry/Exit System) please click here.

Mobile Passport Station visits

The mobile passport station visits selected major U.S. cities once a year, including New York and Boston.

More information on upcoming visits and cities can be found here.