Latvia at a Glance

Latvia is a country of rich history and cultural traditions and a relatively new national state. Higher education and academic mobility is a national tradition in Latvia. The tradition is even stronger today with the existence of about 60 state and private colleges, university colleges and universities. The number of students attending higher education studies has also steadily increased.

Culture

The culture in Latvia is strongly influenced by Latvian folklore and by how attached people are to their homeland. Many Christian rituals are intertwined with ancient customs. Pagan symbols, which are geometric, are still seen throughout the applied arts of Latvia.

Weather

Latvia is located in a geographical zone that allows one to enjoy the magic of the four seasons — something not possible in many other parts of Europe. The climate in Latvia is mild and humid, without extreme fluctuations in temperature. Latvia has four pronounced seasons: winter, spring, summer, and autumn.

• Summer: Warm, average temperatures around 17 °C; occasionally up to 30 °C.
• Spring & Autumn: Relatively mild and variable, generally humid with average temperatures around 10 °C. Autumn is popular with nature lovers due to colorful foliage.
• Winter: Usually starts mid-December and lasts until mid-March. Average winter temperatures around -6 °C.

Why Study in Latvia?

Latvian education offers a broad-based curriculum and a global perspective to equip students with relevant qualifications and skills for a brighter future. The capital, Riga, is famous for some of the best Art Nouveau architecture in Europe. Studying in Latvia provides cross-cultural exposure and personal development. Latvia is a great option for studies abroad because of:

• Programs at Bachelor / Master / Doctorate levels taught in English
• Prestigious, globally recognized degrees
• Government-approved universities
• Exchange semesters or internships abroad
• Attractive tuition fees
• On-campus accommodation provided
• Moderate living costs (approx. $400 / month)
• Numerous opportunities for leisure activities and sports

Language

Latvian is the official state language and belongs to the Baltic branch of the Indo-European language family. Although Latvian is the official language, you can often get by using Russian and English.

Travel to Latvia

Latvia is easily accessible by land, sea or air, and has the largest railway terminal and an international airport in the Baltics. Around 19 different airlines serve Riga airport. Another way of arriving in Latvia is by ferry. Riga is well served by extensive bus connections.

Latvia — Student Admission Checklist

• 4 photographs — 35 x 45 mm, white background, matte finish, 80% face, no border
• Passport (original) and old passport (if any)
• All academic documents original as per list:
  • 10th mark sheet & certificate
  • 12th mark sheet & certificate
  • Graduation mark sheet & degree certificate
  • Apostille of all educational documents (compulsory at visa process)
  • Transcript
• IELTS certificate if applicable / M.O.I.
• SOP (Statement of Purpose)
• 2 LORs (Letters of Recommendation)
• Updated CV
• Work experience letter (if applicable — original required)
• Skype ID, Email ID, Cell No.
• Aadhar card of student; Parents’ cell number; Student PAN card
• 100 Rs stamp paper for student declaration
• PCC (Police Clearance Certificate) from passport office

Note: University can ask for additional documents at the time of visa. University has right to reject your admission on the basis of Skype/online test performance.

Latvia — Student Visa Checklist

• 1 set of originals & 1 set of photocopies
• Appointment for submission
• Covering letter
• Student visa application form
• 4 photographs — 35 x 45 mm, white background, matte finish, 80% face, no border
• Passport (original) and old passport (if any). Passport must be valid at least 3 months after intended departure and contain at least two blank pages. Include copies of identification pages and pages with previous visas.
• Visa invitation letter (dated not later than 6 months prior), guarantee letter, signed study agreement, TT copy of fees paid
• Student insurance (46,200 EUR) for 90 days
• Air ticket itinerary
• All academic documents original as per list (with apostille where required)
• PCC (2 copies apostilled required)
• IELTS certificate if applicable / M.O.I.
• SOP and 2 LORs
• Updated CV
• Hello Verify payment slip and Hello Verify number
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Work experience letter, salary slips and salary statement (if applicable)
• 20 Rs stamp paper — affidavit of sponsor (original)
• 20 Rs stamp paper — same name affidavit (if required, must be apostilled)
• International valid debit card (Visa or MasterCard only)
• Financial documents: Funds to show approx. INR 11 lakhs in student account (transferred from parents’ account). Parents should still have at least INR 3 lakhs. Education loan must be disbursed.
• Student & parents bank statements for last 3 months (originals with bank stamp & signature)
• Income tax returns last 3 years (with e-verified slip) and PAN card. Latest ITR should show INR 6 lakhs (individual or combined as specified).
• If sponsored by relative/family — notarized declaration of sponsorship and proof of sponsor’s professional status (employment contract, pay slips) or company registration documents & company bank statements if self-employed.
• If you have a prior visa refusal, submit details and preferably the original refusal letter.

Note: All documents are required in 2 sets (1 original & 1 photocopy).

Latvia — Student Visa Process & Fees (Summary)

1. Provide all colour-scan documents in 300 DPI JPEG for course & college/university assessment.
2. After assessment, Sahaj International provides course & university details along with course fees.
3. If the student agrees, the process starts with colour scans plus INR 25,000 + GST (non-refundable) as per the admission checklist.
4. We process application; student pays university application fees (non-refundable). Skype/online test or telephonic interview may happen.
5. After application fees, university starts AIC process. Some universities issue offer letters.
6. After AIC approval, student pays first year fees and security deposit to university and pays second instalment of Sahaj INR 50,000 + GST (refundable if visa refused), upon invitation from university.
7. University issues unconditional letter / visa letter / invitation letter.
8. Process Hello Verify and pay approx INR 13,500.
9. After university letter, student submits original documents and pays visa fees to embassy; advance cheque of INR 25,000 + GST (deposited once visa granted).
10. We receive stamping and do ticketing as per student preference.
11. Issue travel insurance after visa grant from Latvian insurance company.

Charges (If Taken from Sahaj International)

• Apostille: INR 2,500 per document
• PCC: INR 1,000
• Itinerary charges: INR 2,500
• Insurance: INR 3,000
• Application fees: As per university
• Tuition fees: As per course & university
• Security deposit: 520 EUR (payable with tuition fee)
• Visa fees & VFS charges: approx. INR 15,000
• Hello Verify: approx. INR 13,500
• Sahaj International admission & visa processing charges: as per process step
• International insurance after visa (1.5 years cover): INR 7,000

List of Universities Represented by Sahaj International (Latvia)