18.6% of the 1,314 Schengen applications made to Latvia from India in 2025 were refused, moderate by Schengen standards.
Latvia's capital Riga holds one of Europe's greatest concentrations of Art Nouveau architecture, wrapped around a cobbled medieval core. Beyond it stretch pine forests, a long Baltic coast, and a deep tradition of choral song.
Applying from India · the real numbers
Moderate- 1,314
- Applications
- 81.4%
- Approved
- 18.6%
- Refused
Handled by VFS Global. Consulates in New Delhi.
2025 figures · European Commission DG HOME (applications made in India). Across all applicants, not a forecast for your file.
Don't-miss places
- Art Nouveau district & Old TownRiga
- House of the Black HeadsRiga
- Jurmala beach resortJurmala
- Rundale PalaceBauska
- Gauja National Park & Sigulda castlesVidzeme
- Cape KolkaKurzeme coast
Things to do
- Admire Riga's Art Nouveau facades
- Relax on Jūrmala's white-sand beach
- Tour opulent Rundāle Palace
- Hike Gauja National Park's castle valley
What to eat
- Grey peas with bacon
- Rye bread
- Smoked fish
- Cold beetroot soup
- Rupjmaizes kārtojums (bread dessert)
The culture
Rye bread, smoked fish, and hearty soups. Latvians have a deep bond with nature and a rich choral-singing tradition. They can seem reserved but are sincere and welcoming.
When to go
May–Sep for warm days, beaches, and forest walks; song-festival years draw huge crowds to Riga.
Good to know
- Capital
- Riga
- Language
- Latvian
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Flight from India
- ~9-11 hrs (1 stop typical)
- Ideal trip length
- 3-4 days
Did you know? Riga has one of the world's largest collections of Art Nouveau buildings.
Latvia is a quieter pick with limited application slots in India. Check early so your timing lines up smoothly.
Photo: The House of Blackheads in Riga's Town Square · Rastapopulous · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons