Latvia Visa Appointment In Ghana: How To Book And What To Prepare

If you live in Ghana and need a short-stay visa for Latvia, your application is usually handled through the Swiss Embassy in Accra through VFS Global, because Switzerland represents Latvia for Schengen visa applications in Ghana. The Swiss Embassy’s Ghana page lists Latvia under the countries represented by Switzerland, with applications submitted through VFS Global.

This guide explains how Latvia visa appointments work in Ghana, what documents to prepare, when to book, and what to do if appointment slots are not available.

Latvia is part of the Schengen Area, so a Latvia short-stay visa is a Schengen visa. It can allow short visits of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, depending on what is approved and printed on your visa sticker.

If you are still checking the full document list, start with our Schengen Visa Requirements guide before booking your appointment.

Quick Answer

If Latvia is your main destination, Ghana residents can usually apply for a Latvia Schengen visa through the Swiss visa route in Accra.

Who Should Apply For A Latvia Visa From Ghana?

You should apply for a Latvia Schengen visa from Ghana if:

• You Live In Ghana

• Your Passport Requires A Schengen Visa

• Latvia Is Your Only Schengen Destination

• Latvia Is Your Main Destination

• You Will Spend The Longest Time In Latvia

• Your Trip Is For Tourism, Family Visit, Business, Event, Or Another Short-Stay Purpose

The European Commission explains that if you visit more than one Schengen country, you should apply at the consulate of the country where you will spend the longest time. If the stays are equal, apply through the country you will visit first.

For example:

Do not apply for Latvia just because the appointment looks easier. Your application should match your real travel plan.

If you are unsure which Schengen country should handle your application, read our Which Schengen Embassy Should You Apply To guide.

Where To Book A Latvia Visa Appointment In Ghana

For Ghana, the official Swiss Embassy page says visa applications from Ghana should be submitted through VFS Global, and that Switzerland represents Latvia in Ghana for Schengen visa applications.

That means you should not randomly book through another Schengen country’s visa center unless that country is your actual main destination.

The general route is:

1. Confirm Latvia Is Your Correct Schengen Destination

2. Check The Swiss Embassy / VFS Global Ghana Instructions

3. Prepare Your Documents

4. Book An Appointment Through VFS Global

5. Attend The Visa Application Centre In Accra

6. Submit Biometrics And Documents

7. Wait For Processing

8. Collect Your Passport Or Use Courier If Available

Appointment procedures and links may change, so always verify through the official Swiss Embassy or VFS website before booking.

Can You Apply For A Long-Stay Latvia Visa In Ghana Through Switzerland?

No, not through the Swiss representation route.

Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains that diplomatic or consular missions of other Schengen Member States represent Latvia only for short-stay visas of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. They do not issue long-stay visas for Latvia.

So if you need to move to Latvia for long-term study, work, residence, or a stay longer than 90 days, check Latvia’s official long-stay visa or residence permit route. The Ghana VFS/Swiss representation route is mainly for short-stay Schengen visa applications.

When Should You Book Your Latvia Visa Appointment?

You should plan early.

The European Commission says Schengen visa applications must be submitted at least 15 days before the intended journey and no earlier than 6 months before travel. You may also need to book an appointment before lodging the application.

In practice, it is better to prepare earlier than the minimum deadline because appointment slots can be limited, especially during peak travel periods.

A safer timeline:

• 2–3 Months Before Travel: Start preparing documents

• 6–8 Weeks Before Travel: Try to book your appointment

• At Least 15 Days Before Travel: Application should already be submitted

• Avoid Last-Minute Booking: Slots, document issues, or processing delays can affect your trip

Documents To Prepare For A Latvia Visa Appointment In Ghana

Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists core visa documents including a valid passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months beyond the intended departure from Schengen, with at least two empty pages. It also lists a completed visa application form, photo, travel medical insurance, visa fee, and supporting documents.

For a short-stay Latvia Schengen visa, you should usually prepare:

• Valid Passport

• Completed Schengen Visa Application Form

• Recent Visa Photo

• Travel Medical Insurance

• Visa Fee And VFS Service Fee

• Flight Reservation Or Travel Itinerary

• Hotel Booking Or Accommodation Proof

• Proof Of Funds

• Bank Statements

• Employment Letter, Business Documents, Or Student Letter

• Leave Approval, If Employed

• Invitation Letter, If Visiting Someone

• Proof Of Relationship, If Visiting Family

• Documents Showing You Will Leave Schengen Before The Visa Expires

Latvia also states that supporting documents should show your purpose of travel, accommodation, sufficient means for the stay and return, and information that helps assess your intention to leave Schengen before the visa expires.

If your itinerary is not ready yet, use our Schengen Visa Itinerary Sample And Template to organize your travel dates, cities, hotels, and transport plan clearly.

How Much Bank Balance Do You Need For Latvia?

Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that adequate financial means are at least €14 per day if the intended stay in Latvia does not exceed 30 days. For stays exceeding 30 days, the amount listed is at least €780, which is Latvia’s minimum monthly wage.

This is the official reference amount, but your application should still look realistic.

For example, if your trip includes flights, hotels, internal transport, meals, activities, and other Schengen countries, your bank statements should support the full trip plan, not only the minimum daily amount.

If your financial documents are not straightforward, read our Schengen Visa Proof Of Funds guide before submission.

Latvia Visa Fee In Ghana

The Swiss Embassy Ghana page lists the Schengen visa fee as:

The visa fee is usually paid in local currency, so the final amount can change depending on the exchange rate used at the time of payment.

You should also check the VFS service fee separately. The embassy visa fee and the VFS service fee are not always the same thing. VFS may charge an additional service fee for handling the appointment, document submission, biometrics, or optional services.

Before your appointment, confirm the latest visa fee, exchange rate, payment method, and VFS service fee through the official Swiss Embassy or VFS website. Fees and payment instructions can change.

Latvia Visa Processing Time In Ghana

The normal Schengen visa processing time is usually 15 days. The European Commission says processing may be extended up to 45 days if a more detailed examination or additional documents are required.

Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also states that a decision is usually made within 15 calendar days, but individual cases may be extended up to 45 calendar days.

This is why you should avoid booking your appointment too close to your travel date.

What Happens At The Visa Appointment?

At your appointment, you will usually:

• Submit Your Application Form

• Submit Supporting Documents

• Provide Biometrics, If Required

• Pay The Visa And Service Fees

• Answer Basic Questions, If Asked

• Receive A Receipt Or Tracking Reference

Latvia’s MFA notes that Schengen visa applicants are required to provide biometric data, unless their fingerprints were already collected by a Schengen mission in the past five years.

Make sure your documents are complete before the appointment. A visa center may accept your file, but that does not guarantee approval.

What If No Latvia Visa Appointment Slots Are Available?

If no appointment slots are available, do not panic and do not use unofficial slot sellers.

Try these steps:

• Check The Official VFS Page Regularly

• Check At Different Times Of The Day

• Prepare Your Documents While Waiting

• Avoid Creating Multiple Accounts

• Do Not Pay Suspicious Agents For Slots

• Do Not Apply Through The Wrong Schengen Country

• Consider Adjusting Travel Dates If Your Trip Is Too Close

If you are seeing a “no appointment slots available” message, read our No Appointment Slots Are Currently Available On VFS guide for practical next steps.

Common Mistakes Ghana Applicants Should Avoid

1. Applying Through Latvia When Latvia Is Not The Main Destination

Your itinerary should support Latvia as your main or only destination.

2. Booking Too Late

Even if processing normally takes around 15 days, appointment availability and extra checks can take longer.

3. Weak Proof Of Funds

Your bank statements should support your full trip, including accommodation, daily expenses, and return travel.

4. Inconsistent Travel Dates

Your flight reservation, hotel booking, insurance, itinerary, and application form should all match.

5. Missing Accommodation Proof

Your hotel booking or invitation letter should clearly show where you will stay in Latvia.

If accommodation is part of your application, read our Proof Of Accommodation For Schengen Visa guide.

6. Submitting A Generic Itinerary

A vague itinerary can make your travel purpose look unclear. Keep it simple, but specific.

7. Forgetting Visa Photo Requirements

A wrong-size or unclear photo can create avoidable delays. You can use Outbound Visa’s Free Passport Photo Converter before submission.

Latvia Visa Appointment Checklist

Before your appointment, check:

• Latvia Is Your Main Destination

• You Booked Through The Correct Ghana Route

• Your Passport Is Valid For At Least 3 Months After Leaving Schengen

• Your Passport Has At Least Two Blank Pages

• Your Visa Application Form Is Complete

• Your Photo Meets Visa Requirements

• Your Travel Insurance Covers The Full Schengen Stay

• Your Bank Statements Are Updated

• Your Hotel Booking Or Invitation Letter Is Clear

• Your Itinerary Matches Your Bookings

• Your Employment, Business, Or Student Documents Are Ready

• You Have The Visa Fee And Service Fee Ready

• You Arrive On Time For Your Appointment

If you want to check your preparation before applying, you can use Outbound Visa’s Free Visa Tools. If your case is more complex, Smart VisaAssist can help review your basic checklist, while Visa Concierge can help with a more detailed document review before submission.

You can also compare similar Ghana-to-Schengen application situations in the Outbound Visa Forum.

FAQ

Where Do I Apply For A Latvia Visa In Ghana?

For short-stay Schengen visas, Latvia is represented by Switzerland in Ghana. Applications are submitted through the Swiss Embassy in Accra through VFS Global.

Is Latvia Part Of The Schengen Area?

Yes. Latvia is part of the Schengen Area, so a Latvia short-stay visa is a Schengen visa.

Do I Need An Appointment For Latvia Visa In Ghana?

Yes, you usually need to book an appointment through the official VFS Global route before submitting your application.

Can I Apply For A Latvia Long-Stay Visa Through VFS Ghana?

The Swiss representation route is for short-stay Schengen visas only. Latvia’s MFA says other Schengen missions representing Latvia do not issue long-stay visas for Latvia.

How Early Can I Apply For A Latvia Schengen Visa?

You can apply no earlier than 6 months before your trip and should submit at least 15 days before travel.

How Long Does Latvia Visa Processing Take?

Normal Schengen processing is usually around 15 days, but it can take up to 45 days in some cases.

How Much Is The Latvia Schengen Visa Fee?

The Schengen visa fee is generally €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 12. Children under 6 are usually free. VFS service fees may also apply.

What If There Are No Appointment Slots?

Keep checking the official VFS page, prepare your documents while waiting, and avoid unofficial agents or fake slot sellers. You may also need to adjust your travel dates if your trip is too close.

Final Takeaway

If you are applying for a Latvia visa in Ghana, the most important thing is to use the correct route. For short-stay Schengen visas, Switzerland represents Latvia in Ghana, and applications are submitted through VFS Global in Accra.

Before booking your appointment, make sure Latvia is truly your main destination, your documents match your itinerary, and your proof of funds supports the full trip. A clear, consistent application is easier for the consulate to assess and helps reduce avoidable problems before submission.

Sources

Embassy Of Switzerland In Ghana — Where To Apply For A Schengen Visa
https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/ghana/en/home/visa/entry-ch/up-90-days/where-to-apply-schengen.html
Last Update: 18 March 2025

Latvia Ministry Of Foreign Affairs — Diplomatic And Consular Missions Of Other Schengen Member States Issuing Visas To Enter Latvia
https://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/diplomatic-and-consular-missions-other-schengen-member-states-issuing-visas-enter-latvia
Updated: 13 April 2026

Latvia Ministry Of Foreign Affairs — Applying For A Visa
https://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/applying-visa
Updated: 17 December 2025

Latvia Ministry Of Foreign Affairs — Documents Required To Apply For A Visa
https://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/documents-required-apply-visa
Updated: 30 March 2026

European Commission — Applying For A Schengen Visa
https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/visa-policy/applying-schengen-visa_en
Updated: 2 December 2025

Embassy Of Switzerland In Ghana — Schengen Visa Fees
https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/ghana/en/home/visa/entry-ch/up-90-days/fees-schengen.html
Last Update: 2 July 2024