Latvia student visa: the official document checklist
In short: the Residence permit for studies (OCMA/PMLP) followed by a long-stay D visa for Latvia asks for 13 documents from every applicant, and 1 more when they apply to you. This list follows the official checklist the Latvia mission publishes for applicants in Pakistan, read on 16 October 2026. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Where applicants in Pakistan submit: The Embassy of Latvia in the UAE (Abu Dhabi) handles residence permit requests for Pakistani nationals (page says it accepts GCC citizens/residents and Pakistan '(on visit/tourist visa)'), so a student from Pakistan travels to the UAE. Book online (pieraksts.mfa.gov.lv), hand in documents in person (no post) and have an interview. After OCMA approves, apply for the D visa at VFS Global.
Photo: One photo for the residence permit (per the embassy's linked specification); for the D visa two photos with white background, face covering 70% of the image.
Passport: Passport and copy; PMLP asks for a full passport copy. No validity rule read on the official pages today.
Documents every applicant needs (13)
Residence permit request form (sample form)(official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Photo One photo, per the embassy's linked photo specification. For the D visa at VFS: two photos, white background, face covering 70% of the image (one attached to the form, one separate). (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Passport and copy Full copy of the passport (PMLP); original passport plus copy at the embassy. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Proof of permanent residence in the UAE or a valid visa for Pakistani nationals; at the D-visa stage: signed e-visa form, flight booking copy, university confirmation of enrolmentWhen: UAE residence/visa proof when applying at the Embassy of Latvia in the UAE; the other papers at the D-visa stage at VFS Global after the residence permit is approved. E-visa application form printed and signed. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Invitation number (invitation approved at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs) The university files the invitation; you give the number. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Study contract / agreement on studies in Latvia(official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Letter confirming the envisaged place of residence(official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Police certificate All public documents issued in Pakistan must carry a Pakistan Apostille (the embassy will not legalise Pakistani documents). (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Previous education documents (and Academic Information Centre certificate if issued) Pakistani public documents must be apostilled. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Apostille on Pakistani public documentsWhen: Any public document issued in Pakistan. Apostille from Pakistan (issued since 17 May 2024); no further embassy certification needed. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Proof of necessary means of subsistence PMLP: '500 euros per month' (150 euros per month per accompanying minor). Embassy page (2024): 'For students in 2024, minimum subsistence is 8 400 EUR or its equivalent in foreign currency.' (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Confirmation of state duty payment Embassy accepts card payment only. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Health insurance (for the D visa)When: At the D-visa stage, after the residence permit is approved. Covering 90 days from arrival; coverage stated on the embassy page as at least 42,600 EUR. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Documents that depend on your situation (1)
Affidavit of financial support, source of income, and kinship documentsWhen: If someone else pays for you.(official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Documents the checklist recommends (1)
Other supporting documents (e.g. IELTS results, work experience certificates, course diplomas)When: Optional supporting papers.(official source, checked 16 October 2026)
How to prepare each document
Visa application form
Fill it online exactly as your passport (FF Assistant can fill it); print and sign the confirmation where asked.
Photographs
Use the size and background the official checklist states (most ask a white or light background, face straight, no glasses).
Recent: usually taken in the last 6 months.
Same photo on the form and on paper.
Passport
Valid for the whole stay plus the margin the country asks (often 6 months beyond).
At least two blank visa pages.
Scan the photo page in colour, flat, all four corners visible.
If you renewed it, keep the old passport too.
Official verification: Only the issuing authority can confirm a passport; we never call it genuine.
Additional documents
Anything else the checklist lists for your case; follow the checklist's own words.
Admission document
The document the visa asks for (CAS, I-20, CoE, LoA, admission letter).
Every detail must match your passport.
Official verification: The university can confirm it; ask its admissions office by e-mail.
Offer letter
The latest offer, unconditional if you have it.
Official verification: The university.
Accommodation
Housing contract, university hall confirmation or a host's letter, if the checklist asks.
Official verification: The landlord or university.
Police certificate
From every country you lived in for the period asked; recent on the day you apply.
Official verification: The issuing police.
Degree certificates
Every degree the checklist asks for.
Attested or apostilled as the country requires, then copied as asked.
Official verification: The body that attests degrees in your country, and the foreign ministry, keep records; we never call a stamp genuine.
Attestation or apostille
The stamps the destination asks, in order (education body, then foreign ministry, then embassy where it asks).
Official verification: The bodies that stamped it keep records; we never call a stamp genuine.
Bank statement
The period and balance the country asks, never dropping below the amount.
Printed after the holding period, recent on the day you apply.
Signed and stamped by the bank, or e-mailed by the bank where the mission asks.
Official verification: Only the bank can confirm a statement; we never call it genuine.
Sponsor's letter or affidavit of support
Signed and dated, naming you, the relationship, the sponsor's job, and that the money is for your study.
Official verification: The notary's register.
Visa fee receipt
Pay only on the official site; keep the receipt.
Official verification: The official payment record.
English (or other language) test result
The test and score the university and visa accept (for the UK a UKVI SELT where asked).
Valid on the date you apply.
Official verification: The test provider's online result check.
Health insurance
Cover for the whole stay from the day you enter, with the minimum the country states.
Official verification: The insurer.
These preparation points are practical guidance; the official checklist decides what is asked.
ForiForeign prepares and guides; you file your own application and the Latvia authorities decide. Checklists change: open the official source before you submit.
ForiForeign.com · admin@foriforeign.com · WhatsApp +92 310 5048760 · Information drawn from official sources shown on each rule; not legal advice.