Apply for a Visa

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Before You Begin

Make sure that you need to apply for a visa, and whether you need an interview.

If you do need to apply for a nonimmigrant visa and able to be physically present in Latvia at the time of application filing, please follow the steps below.

How to Apply

Step 1:  Determine your visa type.

 Common Nonimmigrant Visas explains the types of visas available. Each visa type explains the qualifications and what is needed to apply. Choose the visa type that applies to your situation.

Be sure to also review the Visa Waiver Program. If your country participates in the Visa Waiver Program, you do not need to apply for a visa if you are traveling for business or pleasure and will only be staying in the Unites States for 90 days or less.

Step 2: Complete the DS-160 form.

Be sure to read the Guidelines for Completing the DS-160 Form carefully and note your DS-160 number that will be provided to you once you start your data entry. All information must be correct and accurate. Once the form is submitted, you cannot make any changes. If you need assistance, please consult an immigration lawyer or translator. The call center cannot help you complete your DS-160. You will need your DS-160 number to book your appointment.

Step 3: Pay your visa fee.

The Bank and Payment Options page explains how to make your visa fee payment. The visa fee page lists the visa types and correlating visa fee in U.S. dollars and local currency. As a part of the process of making a payment, you will create a profile. You will use this profile and CGI reference number to book your visa appointment in the next step.

Step 4: Schedule your appointment.

To schedule your appointment,  log in to your profile with the same credentials you used to pay your visa fee. You will need:

  • Your passport number.
  • The CGI reference number from your Visa Fee receipt. Click here if you need help finding this number.
  • The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page.

After you log in to your profile, you will see your dashboard.

Click on Schedule Appointment on the left-hand side menu.

To schedule, you will need to select your visa type, enter personal data, add dependents, confirm visa payment, and schedule your interview appointment.

REMEMBER: If you are renewing your previous U.S. visa that is still valid or expired less than 48 months ago, you may be able to mail-in your documents to the Embassy without a visa interview. If you select the option to renew your visa without a visa interview, use SIA Velokurjers e-services page  or contact SIA Velokurjers by e-mail at velokurjers@velokurjers.lv or tel. +371 200 00041 to arrange your document delivery to the Embassy AND your visa delivery to you.

Step 5: Arrange for visa delivery.

ALL APPLICANTS MUST ARRANGE FOR VISA DELIVERY PRIOR TO THE INTERVIEW.

The Embassy uses SIA Velokurjers for all deliveries. For security reasons, the Embassy is not able to offer visa pickup at our office, but it may be possible to arrange pick-up from the courier company at the central SIA Velokurjers office in central Riga.

You can arrange courier delivery in three ways:

  • On the company’s website at SIA Velokurjers e-services page
  • By e-mail at velokurjers@velokurjers.lv. The subject line of your e-mail should be -  U.S. visa application delivery request.
  • +371 200 00041 to arrange your visa delivery to you. SIA Velokurjers hours for telephone and e-mail services are on business days between 09:00 and 17:00.

Once you have arranged and paid for delivery service, SIA Velokurjers will send you an e-mail with your address label attached as a .pdf.   Print this label and attach it to a mailing envelope that can fit your passport and visa documents. You MUST bring this envelope to your visa interview so we can return your passport to you if your visa is approved. The U.S. Embassy in Riga is not able to deliver passports outside of Latvia. If you are coming to Riga from another country for your visa interview, please plan to remain in Latvia until your visa is processed and delivered.

Please note!

  • ALL visa applicants are required to use only SIA Velokurjers services for sending and receiving their documents to/from the Embassy.
  • Each application/individual MUST have a separate address label. The courier's security and safety rules require separate tracking of each passport.
  • Groups of applicants and family members may NOT use one envelope, address label, or tracking number for all their application documents.

Step 6: Attend Your Visa Interview

You will enter at the Consular Entrance, which is the smaller entrance closer to Lielirbes street. Please plan to be on time for your visa interview! Most applicants spend between 60 and 90 minutes at the Embassy for the interview process.

Be sure to check the Schedule My Appointment page for the necessary documentation needed for your appointment. You will not be allowed to bring your personal cell phone or other electronic devices into the waiting room, so make sure you have any required documents printed and bring them with you to the Embassy. 

Step 7: Wait for your visa to be returned to you.

If your visa is approved, it will be sent to you in the envelope you have provided with the address label from SIA Velokurjers.

Visas are normally ready 3-5 days after the interview, but there can be unexpected delays. Applicants should not buy travel tickets until they have their visa in hand. If you are coming from outside of Latvia for your visa interview, please plan for this processing time. Same day or expedited processing is NOT available.