Latvia entry requirements for Ghana passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed June 28, 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
Ghanaian passport holders need a visa to enter Latvia. You must apply at the Latvian embassy or consulate in your region before you travel — there is no visa-on-arrival option. This requirement has been in place since Latvia joined the Schengen Area and remains unchanged for 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Apply for a Schengen visa | You 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, so submit your application well in advance.Apply for visa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended departure from the Schengen area | Your passport needs at least two blank pages for entry and exit stamps. The 3-month validity rule applies across the entire Schengen zone, not just Latvia. Airlines check this before boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of onward travel | Immigration at Riga Airport will ask for a return or onward ticket showing you leave the Schengen area within your visa's validity. A bus or train ticket to a non-Schengen country also works. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or invitation letter | Have a hotel reservation, rental agreement, or a letter from your host in Latvia ready. Immigration officers may ask to see it during the visa application process or at the border. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during your stay | Carry bank statements or a credit card showing you have at least €50 per day for your stay. This is a Schengen requirement and can be checked at the border. | Recommended |
Apply well in advance
Visa processing can take up to 45 days during peak travel seasons (summer, Christmas). Do not book non-refundable flights or hotels until your visa is approved.
Schengen Area rules apply
A Latvian visa allows you to travel to all 27 Schengen countries. However, you must enter Latvia first or spend the most days there. Your total stay in the Schengen Area cannot exceed 90 days within any 180-day period.
What happens at the border
1
Determine where to apply
Find the Latvian embassy or consulate responsible for your country of residence. If there is no Latvian mission nearby, you may need to apply through the embassy of another Schengen country that represents Latvia (often Sweden, Denmark, or Estonia). Check the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the exact office.
2
Prepare your documents
Gather all required documents: valid passport, completed visa application form, passport-sized photos, travel insurance, flight itinerary, hotel bookings, bank statements, and proof of employment or leave. Make copies of everything.
3
Submit your application in person
Visit the embassy or consulate by appointment. Submit your documents, pay the visa fee (typically €80 for adults, €40 for children 6–12, free for under 6), and provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo). Processing usually takes 15 calendar days but can take up to 45 days in peak periods.
4
Wait for processing and collect your passport
Once processed, you'll be notified to collect your passport. If approved, the visa sticker will be inside. Check the validity dates and number of entries carefully before you travel.
5
Arrive in Latvia and go through border control
At Riga Airport or any other Schengen entry point, join the 'All Passports' queue. Have your passport, visa, return ticket, and proof of accommodation ready. The border officer may ask about your trip purpose and funds. Answer clearly and honestly.
Download Latvia Entry Checklist
PDF · Ghana Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 28, 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 (approx. $87 USD)
Standard Schengen C visa for short stays.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
ValidityUp to 1 year (or longer with justification)
Cost€80 (approx. $87 USD)
Allows multiple entries; same fee as single entry.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stayOver 90 days (up to 1 year)
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€99 (approx. $108 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires additional documentation.
work visa
Latvia Work Visa (D visa for employment)
Up to 1 year, renewable
€99 (approx. $108 USD) application fee
For those with a job offer in Latvia. Requires employer sponsorship and work permit. Allows long-term residence and family reunification.
Apply student visa
Latvia Student Visa (D visa for studies)
Up to 1 year, renewable annually
€99 (approx. $108 USD) application fee
For enrollment in a recognized Latvian educational institution. Requires proof of acceptance and sufficient funds. Allows part-time work.
Apply family reunification visa
Family Reunification Visa
Up to 1 year, renewable
€99 (approx. $108 USD) application fee
For family members of Latvian residents or citizens. Requires proof of relationship and sponsor's legal status. Leads to long-term residence.
Apply Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Standard Schengen visa fee for adults. | €80 (approx. $87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, but allows multiple entries within validity. | €80 (approx. $87 USD) |
| Visa service fee (if applicable)Additional handling fees may apply at VFS Global or TLScontact. | Varies by application center |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds proof30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete or expired documents20%
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
Ghana passport holders need a Schengen transit visa to transit through Latvia, even if staying airside. Apply at the Latvian embassy or consulate before travel.
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 transit 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 (Ghana is endemic). Must present certificate at border.
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, etc.)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedTyphoidConsiderTick-borne encephalitisRecommended
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk
Present in forested areas, especially spring to autumn. Use insect repellent and consider vaccination.
Lyme diseaseModerate risk
Spread by ticks in rural areas. Check for ticks after outdoor activities.
Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk
Standard hygiene is good; risk is low for most travellers.
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
18. novembra iela 44, Daugavpils, LV-5401
Mon–Thu 08:30–16:30, Fri 08:30–15:30
Handles immigration matters for eastern Latvia.
Practical information for GH 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 = 0.88 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
No. Ghanaian passport holders must obtain a Schengen visa before travelling. There is no visa-on-arrival or e-visa option for Latvia.
Standard processing is 15 calendar days from the date of application. It can take up to 45 days if additional checks are needed. Apply at least 3–4 weeks before your trip.
The Schengen visa fee is €80 for adults, €40 for children aged 6–12, and free for children under 6. Fees are paid at the time of application and are non-refundable.
Yes, for your first application you must appear in person to submit biometric data (fingerprints and photo). Subsequent applications within 5 years may be submitted by mail if the embassy allows.
You can apply at the embassy of another Schengen country that represents Latvia for visa purposes. Common representatives include Sweden, Denmark, and Estonia. Check the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the designated office in your region.
Extensions are not allowed for standard tourist Schengen visas. You must leave before your visa expires. For longer stays (e.g., work, study, family reunification), you need a different type of visa or residence permit.
Overstaying a Schengen visa is a serious violation. You may be fined, banned from re-entering the Schengen Area for up to 5 years, and face deportation. Always leave before your visa expires.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 28, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.