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    Visa Guide · 🇱🇻 Latvia

    Latvia Seamen Transit Visa from Bangladesh

    Schengen short-stay visa for crew change, vessel joining, sign-off, and maritime transit linked to Latvia.

    Last Updated: 30 August 2026

    The Latvia Seamen Transit Visa is a Schengen short-stay visa for Bangladeshi seafarers travelling to Latvia to join or leave a vessel, complete a crew change, or transit for confirmed maritime duty. It generally permits stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

    Apply under Latvia when Latvia is the relevant port or main destination for the crew movement. Applications from Bangladesh are submitted through the Sweden Visa Application Centre in Dhaka, as Sweden represents Latvia for Schengen visa matters. This category does not cover tourism, private visits, business travel, or land-based employment. 

    Document Checklist

    1. Passport (Original): Original passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended return/departure date, with at least 2 blank pages.
    2. Previous Passport(s) & Visa Copies: Copies of previous passport(s), recent passport bio page, and previously issued visas/stamps to support travel history, where available.
    3. Photograph (ICAO Format): Provide 2-4 recent colour passport photographs with a plain white background, 60%-70% face coverage, no eyeglasses, no head/ear coverings unless worn for religious reasons, and no borders. Photos must be ICAO-compliant.
    4. Seaman’s Book / CDC: Copy of the valid seaman’s book, Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), or equivalent seafarer record document. The original may be checked during submission where required.
    5. Schengen Visa Application Form (Offline): Printed Schengen visa application form completed for each applicant; signed and dated. For minors, the form must be signed by parent/legal guardian.
    6. Cover Letter: Applicant’s signed letter addressed to the Visa Officer/Visa Office explaining the seafarer profile, purpose of transit, intended travel dates, joining/sign-off plan, sponsor or agency support, and key supporting documents.
    7. Employment Contract: Copy of the current or relevant seafarer employment contract showing the applicant’s position, employer or manning agency, vessel assignment, joining instruction, and service period where applicable.
    8. Manning / Crew Management Agency Letter: Letter from the Bangladeshi manning agency, crew management company, or employer confirming the applicant’s employment or engagement, rank or role, travel purpose, route, vessel details, and who will bear the travel or related costs.
    9. Invitation from Maritime / Shipping Agency: Invitation or joining letter from the maritime agency, shipping agent, vessel operator, or relevant agency in Latvia/Schengen Member State where the seafarer will join or leave the vessel. It should include agency contact details, port, vessel name/IMO number, joining or sign-off date, and travel arrangement details.
    10. Vessel / Crew Change Supporting Documents: Supporting evidence such as crew list, vessel particulars, IMO details, port call or berthing schedule, joining/leaving instruction, employer correspondence, or agency communication confirming the maritime purpose of travel.
    11. Flight Reservation / Travel Itinerary: Provisional flight or travel itinerary showing the planned route, travel dates, arrival point, and onward movement to the port or vessel where applicable. Payment is not necessarily required at this stage.
    12. Accommodation / Transit Arrangement: Hotel booking, crew accommodation confirmation, or agency letter confirming accommodation or transit arrangements if the seafarer will stay overnight before joining or after leaving the vessel.
    13. Proof of Occupation / Maritime Qualification: Documents supporting the applicant’s professional seafarer status, such as employer records, STCW certificates, certificate of competency, training records, or other maritime qualification documents.
    14. Personal Bank Statements & Solvency Certificate: Original bank statements (personal and/or salary account) for the last 6 months, issued by the bank and showing the bank name and contact details. Statements must be stamped and signed by an authorized bank officer (e-statements not accepted), and accompanied by a bank solvency/financial standing certificate where required.
    15. Financial / Sponsorship Evidence: Personal financial documents and/or written confirmation from the employer, manning agency, shipping agent, or sponsor showing who will cover travel, accommodation, insurance, or other costs during the transit period.
    16. Personal TIN & ITR: Copy of the personal TIN certificate and Income Tax Return (ITR) for the last 3 tax years, along with the acknowledgement receipts.
    17. Travel Health Insurance: Travel medical insurance covering the full duration of stay, valid across the Schengen area, with minimum medical coverage of EUR 30,000. The policy must show insured person, coverage area, dates, and coverage limit. 

    Process Roadmap

    Step 1

    Confirm Latvia as the Responsible Destination

    Review the complete crew movement to confirm that Latvia is the port of joining or sign-off, the main destination, or otherwise the responsible Schengen state. Where entry into Schengen territory is required, the relevant route is generally a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C).

    Step 2

    Complete the Application Form

    Prepare the Schengen visa application form with details that match the passport, seaman’s book, employment contract, vessel assignment, travel route, and agency documents.

    Step 3

    Arrange Maritime Documents

    Collect the seafarer-specific documents, including the employment contract, manning agency letter, shipping or maritime agency invitation, seaman’s book, vessel details, crew list, and joining or sign-off instruction.

    Step 4

    Prepare Supporting Documents

    Arrange the flight or travel itinerary, accommodation or crew transit proof, maritime qualification records, financial or sponsorship evidence, and travel insurance. Translate documents where required.

    Step 5

    Book Appointment at Visa Application Centre

    Book a submission appointment at the Sweden Visa Application Centre in Dhaka, which receives Latvia short-stay visa applications. Seafarers on duty may usually apply up to 9 months before the intended Schengen entry date.

    Step 6

    Lodge the File and Provide Biometrics

    Attend the appointment in person to submit the application and passport, provide biometric information, and complete the applicable visa, VFS, and selected service payments.

    Step 7

    Track Application and Verify Visa Details

    Track the application through VFS using the reference number. After the decision, collect the passport or receive it by courier if selected, then verify the validity, entries, permitted stay, and personal details before travelling.

    Common Rejection Pitfalls

    Latvia is not established as the responsible Schengen destination

    How UnivEase helps

    We review the port of joining or sign-off, travel route, first entry, stay pattern, and agency instructions so the file clearly explains Latvia's role in the crew movement.

    Maritime letters contain generic or unverifiable details

    How UnivEase helps

    We check whether the employer and agency documents identify the seafarer, vessel, IMO number, port, assignment, joining or sign-off date, contact person, and cost responsibility.

    Travel dates conflict across the supporting documents

    How UnivEase helps

    We cross-check flight reservations, port call details, joining date, accommodation or transit proof, insurance, and cover letter information to reduce avoidable mismatch.

    Sponsorship or onward travel after duty is not properly supported

    How UnivEase helps

    We review agency sponsorship, financial evidence, return or onward movement, employment records, maritime qualifications, and Bangladesh-based professional ties around the actual assignment.

    VFS & Embassy

    Embassy

    Embassy of Sweden, Dhaka
    Address: Bay’s Edgewater, 6th Floor, Gulshan-2, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
    Telephone: +88 02 5566 8500
    Fax: 02222299032 (local) / +8802222299032 (international)
    Email: ambassaden.dhaka@gov.se / migration.dhaka@gov.se
    Website: Click Here
    Office Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 8.00 am to 4.00 pm.

    Visa Application Centre

    Sweden Visa Application Centre, Dhaka
    Address: Borak Mehnur, 51/B, Level 7, Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Banani, Dhaka-1213, Bangladesh.
    Phone: (+88) 09606 777 333 / (+88) 09666 911 382
    Email: Info.SwedenBD@vfshelpline.com
    Website: Click Here
    Submission hours: Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 am to 1.00 pm.
    Passport Collection hours: Sunday to Thursday, 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Apply for your Latvia Seamen Transit Visa with better preparation.

    Get clear guidance on the seaman's book, employer and agency letters, vessel records, port schedule, travel route, insurance, fees, appointment process, and submission steps before you apply.

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