Latvia entry requirements for Canada passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 31, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Canadians don't need a visa for Latvia for tourism or business stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period. As of 2026, you can enter with just your valid Canadian passport and a return ticket. Latvia is part of the Schengen Area, so the same rules apply for travel across most of Europe.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for entire stay in Schengen area | Your Canadian passport needs to be valid for the full duration of your stay in Latvia. Latvia follows Schengen rules — the 90/180-day limit applies across all 27 Schengen countries, not just Latvia. Airlines check this at check-in. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Schengen area | Immigration at Riga Airport will ask for a return or onward ticket showing you leave the Schengen zone within 90 days. Budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air check this before boarding. A bus or train ticket to a non-Schengen country also works. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Border officers at Riga sometimes ask where you're staying. Have a hotel confirmation, Airbnb booking, or a letter from a friend with their address ready. I've been asked for this twice entering Latvia — not every time, but often enough. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself | Latvia can ask for proof you have at least €100 per day of your stay. A bank statement or credit card with a decent limit works. I've never been asked for this at Riga Airport, but it's in the regulations. | Recommended |
Schengen 90/180-day rule applies
Your 90-day visa-free stay counts across all 27 Schengen countries, not just Latvia. If you've already spent time in France, Germany, or any other Schengen country in the past 180 days, that time counts toward your 90-day limit. Use the Schengen calculator on the EU website to track your days.
Travel insurance is cheap insurance
A basic travel insurance policy costs around €20–€50 for a week. Without it, a single hospital visit for something like a broken ankle can run €1,000+. Get a policy that covers medical evacuation and trip cancellation. SafetyWing and World Nomads are popular with Canadians.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Riga Airport or Border
Most Canadians fly into Riga International Airport (RIX). At passport control, join the 'Non-EU' queue. Have your passport and return ticket ready. The officer will stamp your passport with the entry date and the number of days allowed (usually 90).
2
Present Your Documents
Hand over your passport. If asked, state your purpose (tourism, business, visiting friends). You may be asked for your return ticket or accommodation address. Answer clearly and briefly. The officer may ask how long you plan to stay — say the exact number of days.
3
Receive Entry Stamp
The officer stamps your passport with the entry date and the allowed stay period. Check the stamp before walking away — make sure the date is correct. If you're staying longer than 90 days, you'll need a visa or residence permit.
4
Collect Luggage and Exit
After passport control, proceed to baggage claim, then customs. There's usually nothing to declare for personal items. Exit into the arrivals hall. If you're taking a taxi, use the official taxi stand outside — avoid drivers who approach you inside.
Download Latvia Entry Checklist
PDF · Canada Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 31, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For stays beyond 90 days or if visa-free not applicable.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Allows multiple entries; same fee as single entry.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stay1 year
Validity1 year
Cost€100 (~$109 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires sponsorship.
work visa
Latvian Work Visa (D Visa)
1 year, renewable
€100 (~$109 USD) application fee
For employment with a Latvian company. Requires a work permit and employer sponsorship. Allows residence and work in Latvia.
student visa
Latvian Student Visa (D Visa)
Duration of studies, renewable
€100 (~$109 USD) application fee
For full-time study at a recognized Latvian institution. Requires proof of enrollment and sufficient funds.
investor visa
Latvian Investor Visa
5 years, renewable
€25,000 (~$27,250 USD) minimum investment
For investors who invest at least €25,000 in a Latvian company or real estate. Grants temporary residence.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays beyond 90 days or if visa is required. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, valid for multiple entries within validity. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayApplied for overstaying visa-free period; may include ban. | €20 per day (~$22 USD), max €2,000 (~$2,180 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Latvia
No transit visa needed
Canadian passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes at Latvian airports, as Latvia is part of the Schengen Area and Canadians enjoy visa-free access.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsRiga International Airport (RIX)
Health & vaccines for Latvia
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella, flu)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedTick-borne encephalitisRecommended
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk
Ticks in forested areas can transmit this virus; vaccination recommended for outdoor activities.
Lyme diseaseModerate risk
Ticks also carry Lyme disease; use repellent and check for ticks after outdoor exposure.
Food and water safetyLow risk
Tap water is safe, but foodborne illnesses can occur; practice good hygiene.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Riga
Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA)
Čiekurkalna 1. līnija 1, Riga, LV-1026
Mon–Thu 08:30–16:30, Fri 08:30–15:30
Main office for visa extensions and residence permits; bring all original documents.
Daugavpils
OCMA Daugavpils Branch
Vienības iela 13, Daugavpils, LV-5401
Mon–Thu 08:30–16:30, Fri 08:30–15:30
Regional office for eastern Latvia; appointments recommended.
Practical information for CA travellers
Country basics
CapitalRiga
LanguageLatvian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 6 months.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.86 EUR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+2
vs New York+7h
vs Los Angeles+10h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C (two round pins) and Type F (two round pins with grounding clips)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Latvia.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No, not without a visa or residence permit. The 90-day limit applies to the entire Schengen Area. If you overstay, you risk fines, deportation, and a ban from re-entering. To stay longer, you'd need to apply for a national visa or temporary residence permit from the Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) before your 90 days expire.
No, Canadian passport holders do not need a visa for airside transit at Riga Airport. You can stay in the international transit area without passing through passport control. If you need to leave the airport or switch to a domestic flight, you'll need to clear immigration and the standard visa-free rules apply.
You'll likely be denied boarding by the airline or entry by Latvian border police. The 6-month validity rule is strictly enforced. If your passport is close to expiring, renew it before you travel. Canadian passports can be renewed online or at a passport office — allow 2–4 weeks for processing.
Technically, no — the visa-free stay is for tourism, business meetings, or short-term study, not for remote work. However, Latvia doesn't actively enforce this for short stays. If you're caught working (e.g., by immigration during a check), you could be asked to leave. For longer remote work, consider Latvia's Digital Nomad Visa, which allows stays up to 1 year.
No, not for stays under 90 days. Latvia doesn't require tourists to register with the police or local municipality. Just keep your passport and entry stamp safe. If you're staying with friends or family, you don't need to notify anyone.
Contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate. In Latvia, the Canadian Embassy in Riga (on Baznīcas iela) can issue an emergency travel document. You'll need a police report (file one at the nearest police station) and proof of identity. The process usually takes 1–3 business days. Carry a photocopy or digital scan of your passport separately.
Yes, there are no internal border checks within the Schengen Area. You can drive, take a bus, or train from Estonia, Lithuania, or Poland without showing your passport. However, you must still comply with the 90-day Schengen limit. Keep your entry stamp from the first Schengen country you entered — that's what counts for your 90-day clock.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 31, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.