Visas to the U.S.
Non-immigrant Visas
Who Needs a Non-Immigrant Visa?
A non-immigrant visa (NIV) is required by anyone seeking temporary admission into the United States. Non-immigrant visas cover visits for tourism, business, work or study.
Latvia has joined the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. Citizens of countries that participate in the VWP are exempt from the visa requirement if they plan to make a short leisure trip to the U.S. or need to go for a business meeting. All travelers planning to visit the U.S. for other purposes then the aforementioned are required to obtain an appropriate U.S. visa. Latvian citizens may apply for travelling under the VWP. Please consult the page “Travel without a visa” (link to a page) for information.
Latvian non-citizens are always required to obtain an appropriate visa for travelling to the U.S.
The type of visa you require is determined based on your purpose of travel to the U.S. Comprehensive information on different types of immigrant visas and related information you can find on the U.S. Department of State website for travelers at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/temp_1305.html
What is visa application procedure?
Visa application procedure is described in the section How to Apply for a U.S.Visa.
Same procedure applies to all non-immigrant visa applicants regardless of whether you have had a U.S. visa before or no.
What are visa wait times?
Please click for information on Visa Appointment Wait Times and Processing Times
The listed processing times are averages and may vary based on individual circumstances. Many additional factors, such as the need for additional processing and resolving incomplete applications, may influence the processing of individual cases; therefore, please apply several weeks in advance of your planned travel. We strongly advise not buying a plane ticket until you have received a visa
EXPEDITED APPOINTMENTS MAY BE REQUESTED IN CASE OF:
• an urgent business travel
• a family or medical emergency
SEB Bank representatives schedule visa interviews upon accepting a payment of the consular fee. Applicants may request a special appointment for a visa interview in case of an urgent/unexpected business travel or a family/medical emergency by contacting the Consular Section directly at +371 6703-6200. All other steps of the visa application procedure apply.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The U.S. Embassy in Riga would like to stress that the Embassy is the only official source of information on all matters pertaining to United States immigration, Diversity Visa (Green Card) lottery and non-immigrant visas in Latvia. Information is available free of charge.
The Embassy does not endorse nor recommend any company or individual to act as an intermediary in matters related to United States visas.
Exercise caution if anyone promises you to "arrange" or "guarantee" that a visa will be issued if you pay an extra fee, perhaps without you ever having to go to the Embassy. Applicants are required to appear in person for visa interviews. Please note that persons involved in visa fraud, such as submitting false documents or misrepresenting their life situation and intent, may become permanently ineligible to receive United States visas. Thus the bad advice costs you twice: once when you pay for it, and another time when you end up taking the consequences for someone else's fraudulent activities.
Be very careful if anyone tries to arrange employment for you in the United States. Do not hesitate to ask them how you would get your work permit and what kind of visa you would get. Remember that B1/B2 (tourist/business) visa holders are not permitted to take gainful employment in the United States.