South Africa
Latvia
Latvia visa for South African citizens
Entry requirement
South African citizens need a visa for Latvia, obtained before travel.
- Where to apply
- No mission in your country
- Visa guide
- Latvia visa guide
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index
Which Latvia visa?
Schengen short-stay visa (type C) for tourism
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Fee
- €90
- Processing time
- 15 calendar days as a rule; up to 45 days in individual cases
Latvia’s tourist visa costs €90 at the standard rate published by its authorities. Processing time, as Latvia states it: 15 calendar days as a rule; up to 45 days in individual cases. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Where to apply in South Africa
Latvia has no embassy or consulate in South Africa on our records; applications usually go through a mission in a neighbouring country or an online portal.
Latvian citizens travelling to South Africa
LatviaSouth Africa Visa-free, 90 days South Africa visa for citizens of Latvia
Travel advice for Latvia
- US State Department Level 1: Exercise normal precautions
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
- German Foreign Office No travel warning
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
For a trip from South Africa to Latvia, the published travel advice reads as follows: the US State Department rates Latvia at Level 1, exercise normal precautions (updated 31 March 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to Latvia (updated 11 August 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for Latvia (updated 13 October 2026). The advice is aimed at each government’s own nationals.
Good to know
How long South African citizens can stay in Latvia
How long South African citizens may stay in Latvia is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How South African citizens apply
Latvia has no embassy or career consulate in South Africa. South African citizens apply through a mission of Latvia accredited to South Africa from abroad, or through another Schengen state that represents Latvia for visas; the official visa portal of Latvia names the right place.
Latvia and the Schengen area
A Schengen visa issued by Latvia lets South African citizens travel in all Schengen states; apply to Latvia when it is the main destination of the trip.
Latvia’s neighbours for South African citizens
Russia admits South African citizens visa-free. Lithuania, Estonia and Belarus require South African citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
Latvian citizens travelling to South Africa
No visa is needed by Latvian citizens for South Africa, for stays of up to 90 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do South African citizens need a visa for Latvia?
South African citizens need a visa for Latvia, obtained before travel.
Is there an embassy of Latvia in South Africa?
No. Latvia has no embassy in South Africa.
How much does the Latvia tourist visa cost?
Latvia’s official sources give a standard fee of €90 for the tourist visa. Processing time: 15 calendar days as a rule; up to 45 days in individual cases.
Do Latvian citizens need a visa for South Africa?
No visa is needed by Latvian citizens for South Africa, for stays of up to 90 days.
Can South African citizens enter Latvia visa-free?
No; South African citizens need a visa for Latvia obtained in advance.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 7 November 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.