If you are planning a trip to Latvia, the visa fee is only part of what you will pay. There is also a service charge at the visa centre, travel insurance, and a few small costs people forget. Here is the full picture in simple terms, so you know what to keep ready before you go.
The short answer
For a normal adult applicant, the two main payments are :
- Visa fee: €90, which is ₹9,996 at the current rate on the official VFS page
- VFS service charge: ₹2,999
That makes ₹12,995 before insurance. Add insurance and photos, and most adults should plan for roughly ₹14,000 to ₹16,000 in total.
Visa fee: what you pay the embassy
Latvia charges the same visa fee as every other Schengen country. The amount depends on age :
- Adults and children above 12: €90 (₹9,996)
- Children aged 6 to 12: €45 (₹4,998)
- Children under 6: no visa fee
The fee is set in euros, and the rupee amount follows the exchange rate. So the number you pay on the day can be a little higher or lower than what is printed here. The ₹9,996 figure is what VFS lists from 1 May 2026.
This same fee applies whatever the reason for your trip. Tourism, visiting friends or family, business meetings, cultural events and medical treatment all cost the same.
VFS service charge
Latvia takes applications in India through VFS Global. The centre charges ₹2,999 per applicant, and this already includes GST.
Two things people often miss :
- Children under 6 do not pay the visa fee, but they still pay this service charge.
- You pay it for every person, so a family of four pays it four times.
You can pay the visa fee and service charge in cash or by debit or credit card at the centre.
Travel insurance
Insurance is compulsory for a Schengen visa, and the centre will ask to see your certificate. The usual rule is medical cover of at least €30,000 that works in all Schengen countries for your whole stay.
The price depends on your age, how many days you travel, and the company. For a short trip it is often a few hundred to a couple of thousand rupees. Compare two or three companies, and check that the policy dates match your travel dates exactly.
Small costs that add up
These are not big, but they matter if you are counting every rupee:
- Passport photos : the centre wants a recent colour photo on a white or off-white background, taken within the last 6 months. There is a photo booth at the centre, but a local studio may cost less.
- Photocopies and printouts : the form, the bookings, and copies of your passport pages.
- Bank statement stamping : some banks charge a small fee to print and stamp statements.
- Flight and hotel bookings : you need proof for both. Choose refundable options, because you will not get your visa money back if the visa is refused.
- Optional extras : courier delivery or SMS updates may be offered at the centre for an extra fee. You don't have to take them.
Long-stay visas cost a bit differently
Studying or working in Latvia needs a long-stay visa, not the short Schengen one. VFS lists the fee for student, employment and residence permit visas at the same €90 (₹9,996), plus the ₹2,999 service charge.
There is one extra cost. Long-stay applicants may have to attend a video interview, which VFS lists at ₹3,888 if it applies to you. For students and job seekers, the documents also go through an online check on HelloVerify before you can book, so read the current steps on the VFS page.
Importantly, consider to connect with check Latvia Visa for Indians to know more
Example costs
Here is what a few real-looking cases would pay at the centre, not counting insurance:
One adult : ₹9,996 visa fee + ₹2,999 service charge = ₹12,995
One child aged 8 : ₹4,998 + ₹2,999 = ₹7,997
One child aged 4 : no visa fee + ₹2,999 = ₹2,999
Family of four (two adults, a child aged 8, a child aged 4) :
- Visa fees : ₹9,996 + ₹9,996 + ₹4,998 = ₹24,990
- Service charges : ₹2,999 × 4 = ₹11,996
- Total : ₹36,986, plus insurance for everyone
Can you get a fee waiver?
A few groups don't have to pay the visa fee under Schengen rules. This can include school pupils and students going on study or training trips, researchers, and young members of non-profit groups attending events. If you think you belong to one of these groups, check the rules at the centre before you go. Even then, the service charge may still apply.
Will you get money back if the visa is refused?
No. VFS says the visa fee and the service charge are not refundable, even if your application is rejected. That is why it makes sense to check your papers carefully before you apply, and to use refundable flight and hotel bookings.
How long does it take?
VFS says processing takes up to 10 working days, and applications handed in outside New Delhi take about two days more because of the postal delivery. It also asks you to apply at least two weeks before you travel. A safer plan is to apply four to six weeks ahead, especially in summer.
Ways to save money
- Buy insurance from a company that only charges for the exact days you travel.
- Get photos done once, and make sure they meet the size and background rules so you don't pay twice.
- Book refundable tickets and hotels. Cancel them if your plans change.
- Apply for the whole family at the same time, so you make only one trip to the centre.
- Avoid agents who promise a "sure visa" or charge for booking a slot. The official fees are the ones listed above.
Final word
For most adults, Latvia's visa costs about ₹13,000 at the counter, and around ₹14,000 to ₹16,000 once insurance and small extras are included. The fee is the same for every Schengen country, so the service charge and your own extras are what make the difference. Amounts can change, so confirm the figures on the official VFS Latvia page before you pay.