13 July 2009 saw the adoption of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code), a legislative instrument which is binding for all member states of the Schengen Agreement and lays down uniform procedures and conditions for issuing Schengen visas. The Visa Code will apply from 5 April 2010 in all Member states of the Schengen Agreement, including Latvia.
Since the coming into effect of the Visa Code, it has become the principal piece of legislation regulating procedures for issuing short-stay visas thus introducing harmonised visa procedures in all member states of Schengen Agreement. It should be noted that the Visa Code simplifies the system of visa types, by abolishing type B, i.e., transit visas, it facilitates issuing multiple-entry visas, as well as simplifies and harmonises the scope of documents to be submitted for obtaining a Schengen visa, thus making it easier for foreigners to visit the Schengen territory, including Latvia.
Since 21 December 2007, Latvia's diplomatic and consular representations abroad have been issuing Schengen visas valid for the territory of all the Schengen states.
The principal advantage of a Schengen visa is that a foreign national who wishes to visit several states of the Schengen Agreement does not need to apply for a separate visa in each Schengen state.
The fact that a foreign national has obtained a visa does not by itself imply the right of entry. In specific cases, a foreigner may be required at the border to present supporting documents required for obtaining a visa.
