With a view to improving the reception of consular services at the diplomatic and consular missions of Latvia abroad, an online application system is being phased in as of January 2020.
Online application at the Latvian diplomatic and consular missions is being introduced gradually. The missions in Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Pskov, and Kaliningrad), Ireland, the United Kingdom, Norway, Egypt, Israel and Ukraine are the first to begin using the system. All missions of Latvia are scheduled to have introduced online application by March.
Submitting applications online will be easier and faster for customers. While in the past, appointments were made by telephone or e-mail, now people seeking consular services will visit the mission’s website and select the needed service, and choose the most convenient date and time for receiving the service needed.
This new procedure will enable the missions to use their resources in a more rational way, channelling them directly into the provision of consular services and consular assistance. At the same time, the missions can decide that, in order to receive certain specific services, customers would still have to contact the mission in person in order to be provided information in greater detail about all aspects of the service requested.