Latvia entry requirements for Madagascar passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 30, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Madagascar passport holders need a visa to enter Latvia. Apply for a Schengen visa at the Latvian embassy or consulate in your home country before you travel. This rule applies in 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Apply for a Schengen visa | Madagascar passport holders need a Schengen visa before traveling to Latvia. Apply at the Latvian embassy or consulate in your home country — processing takes at least 15 calendar days. Submit your application no later than 6 months before your trip.Apply for Schengen visa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended departure from Schengen area | Your passport needs at least 3 months of validity after your planned exit from Latvia or any Schengen country. It must have been issued within the last 10 years. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires sooner, you will be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for visa application and at border | You need a confirmed return or onward ticket out of the Schengen area when you apply for the visa and when you arrive in Latvia. Immigration officers at Riga Airport check this — if you arrive without one, you risk being refused entry. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or invitation letter | Have a hotel reservation, rental agreement, or a letter of invitation from your host in Latvia ready. Immigration may ask for it at the border — a printed copy or a screenshot on your phone works. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Bank statements or cash | Show you have enough money for your stay — typically €50–€100 per day depending on your accommodation. A recent bank statement, credit card, or cash works. Immigration officers rarely ask, but they can. | Recommended |
Apply Well in Advance
Visa processing can take up to 15 days, but delays happen. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before your trip. Do not book non-refundable flights or hotels until you have the visa in hand.
Schengen Zone Rules
A Latvian visa allows you to travel to all 27 Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Your stay in Latvia must be the main purpose of your trip (longest stay). If you plan to visit multiple Schengen countries, apply at the embassy of the country where you'll spend the most time.
What happens at the border
1
Gather Your Documents
Collect your passport, completed application form, travel insurance, flight itinerary, accommodation bookings, bank statements, and any other supporting documents. Make photocopies of everything.
2
Submit Application at Embassy/Consulate
Book an appointment at the Latvian embassy or consulate in Madagascar (or the nearest Schengen embassy if Latvia doesn't have one in Madagascar). Submit your documents in person and pay the fee. You may need to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo).
3
Wait for Processing
Standard processing takes 15 calendar days. It can be extended to 30 or even 60 days if more checks are needed. Do not book non-refundable flights until you have the visa.
4
Collect Your Passport with Visa
Once approved, you'll be notified to pick up your passport with the visa sticker. Check the visa dates and conditions carefully. The visa will show the number of entries allowed and the maximum stay (usually 90 days within 180 days).
5
Travel to Latvia
At the border, present your passport with the valid visa. Immigration may ask for your return ticket, accommodation proof, and travel insurance. Answer questions honestly. You'll get an entry stamp.
Download Latvia Entry Checklist
PDF · Madagascar Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 30, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
ValidityUp to 3 months from issue date
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Standard Schengen visa for tourism.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period per entry
ValidityUp to 1 year (subject to approval)
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Allows multiple visits; requires justification.
Long-stay visa (national D visa)
Max stayUp to 1 year
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€100 (~$109 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification. Requires additional documentation.
work visa
Latvian Work Visa (D visa for employment)
Up to 1 year, renewable
€100 (~$109 USD) application fee
For foreign nationals with a job offer in Latvia. Requires employer sponsorship and work permit. Allows residence and work.
student visa
Latvian Student Visa (D visa for studies)
Up to 1 year, renewable
€100 (~$109 USD) application fee
For students enrolled in a Latvian educational institution. Requires proof of enrollment and sufficient funds.
family reunification visa
Family Reunification Visa
Up to 1 year, renewable
€100 (~$109 USD) application fee
For family members of Latvian residents or citizens. Requires proof of relationship and residence.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Standard Schengen visa fee for adults. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, but allows multiple entries within validity. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayPenalty for overstaying visa-free or visa period. | €20 per day (~$22 USD), max €1,000 (~$1,090 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documentation20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Latvia
Transit visa required
Madagascar passport holders need a Schengen transit visa to transit through Latvia, even if staying airside.
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid Schengen visa or residence permit are exempt.
- Holders of a valid visa for a Schengen member state may transit without a separate visa.
Transit hubsRiga International Airport (RIX)
Health & vaccines for Latvia
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, etc.)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedTick-borne encephalitisRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk
Risk in forested areas, especially from April to November. Vaccination recommended for outdoor activities.
Lyme diseaseModerate risk
Transmitted by ticks in rural and forested areas. Use repellent and check for ticks.
Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk
Standard hygiene precautions are sufficient. Tap water is safe to drink.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Riga
Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) – Riga Branch
Čiekurkalna 1. līnija 1, Riga, LV-1026
Mon–Thu 08:30–16:30, Fri 08:30–15:30
Main office for visa extensions and residence permits. Appointments recommended.
Daugavpils
OCMA – Daugavpils Branch
Vienības iela 13, Daugavpils, LV-5401
Mon–Thu 08:30–16:30, Fri 08:30–15:30
Handles visa and residence matters for eastern Latvia.
Practical information for MG travellers
Country basics
CapitalRiga
LanguageLatvian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 6 months.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.86 EUR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+2
vs New York+7h
vs Los Angeles+10h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C (two round pins) and Type F (two round pins with grounding clips)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Latvia.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
If you are transiting through a Latvian airport to a non-Schengen country and you stay in the international transit area, you do not need a visa. However, if you need to leave the transit area or your layover is more than 24 hours, you will need a Schengen visa. Check with your airline for specific transit rules.
Standard processing time is 15 calendar days from the date your application is received. It can take up to 30 days if additional documents are needed, and up to 60 days in exceptional cases. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before your planned travel.
You can fill out the Schengen visa application form online, but you must submit it in person at the Latvian embassy or consulate. There is no fully online visa for Latvia. You will also need to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo) in person.
If there is no Latvian embassy in Madagascar, you can apply at the embassy of another Schengen country that represents Latvia for visa processing. Check the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the nearest office. Alternatively, you may need to travel to a neighboring country with a Latvian embassy.
You need to show at least €14 per day of your intended stay in Latvia. For a 10-day trip, that's €140. This can be in your bank account, cash, or a combination. If someone else is sponsoring your trip, they need to provide proof of funds and a sponsorship letter.
Extensions are possible only in exceptional circumstances, such as force majeure or humanitarian reasons. You must apply at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs in Latvia before your visa expires. Overstaying without permission can result in fines, deportation, or a ban from the Schengen area.
You will receive a formal rejection letter explaining the reason. Common reasons include insufficient funds, incomplete documents, or doubts about your intention to return. You can appeal the decision within 30 days to the Latvian embassy or consulate. Alternatively, you can reapply with corrected documents.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 30, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.