Requirements to enter Latvia from Canada with ETIAS
From 2026, Canadian tourists will need an ETIAS visa waiver to visit Latvia.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System is being introduced to increase safety and security across the Schengen Area.
The information below explains how Canadians can obtain an ETIAS visa waiver for travelling to Latvia and under which conditions you need a visa to travel to Latvia as a citizen of Canada.
Can Canadians travel to Latvia without a visa?
Canadian passport holders can travel to Latvia and stay without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. Canadians can also transit through an airport in Latvia without having to apply for a visa.
To continue enjoying these visa-free privileges, Canadians will soon need to register with ETIAS for Latvia.
ETIAS is an electronic travel authorisation for Latvia and the Schengen Area, similar to the ESTA for the US. ETIAS will become mandatory for Canadians travelling to Latvia from outside the Schengen Area.
A visa for Latvia is required to stay for longer than 90 days or for purposes other than tourism, business, medical treatment, or transit.
Latvia visa waiver requirements
Canadians can travel to Latvia with a visa waiver provided they meet the ETIAS requirements. ETIAS applicants from Canada must have a:
- Canadian biometric passport, valid for at least 3 months past the intended departure date from Latvia
- Debit or credit card
- Current email address
As ETIAS is not a visa for Latvia, no additional supporting documents are required.
How can Canadians apply for an ETIAS visa waiver to visit Latvia?
Canadians can apply for a visa waiver for Latvia online in just 3 steps:
- Fill out the ETIAS for Latvia form
The ETIAS for Latvia application form is quick to complete and requires just a few personal details and passport information.
Applicants must also answer some security-related questions. This information is used to verify that the Canadian may travel to Latvia without a visa.
The ETIAS Application for Latvia is 100% online. Canadians do not need to visit the Latvian Embassy in Canada at any point.
How soon before travelling from Canada to Latvia should I apply for ETIAS?
ETIAS visa waiver for Latvia processing will be fast and efficient. Most Canadian applicants will receive the approved visa waiver within 72 hours.
In rare cases, application forms may need to be reviewed manually by Latvian authorities. It could take up to 2 weeks to reach a decision.
From 2026, Canadians traveling to Latvia or any Schengen Area country, will be advised to apply for the permit as soon as they know their travel plans.
For how long can Canadians travel to Latvia with ETIAS?
With an approved ETIAS visa waiver, Canadians can travel to Latvia for up to 90 days per 180-day period.
The same ETIAS for Latvia authorisation is valid across the Schengen zone, the 90-day allowance can be divided amongst different countries.
Canadians can travel to Latvia multiple times, or any other Schengen Country, using the same visa waiver. ETIAS is valid for 3 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
Travelling to Latvia from Canada with an ETIAS authorisation
The approved Latvia ETIAS permit is electronically linked to the Canadian passport. It will remain valid for 3 years or until this passport expires.
When travelling from Canada to Latvia, the visa waiver will be verified by border officials when the passport is scanned.
After crossing the external Schengen border, Canadians can visit any of the other Schengen States without applying for additional permits.
Key facts about Latvia
Latvia is a Baltic country bordering Lithuania, Estonia, Belarus and Russia. It has historically been called the Lettlands and the people were referred to as Letts or Lettish people.
The country’s capital Riga is one of the oldest and the largest. It dates back to the 12th century and as much as a third of the country’s population lives in the capital. It has also been designated a UNESCO world heritage site due to the multitude of Art Nouveau buildings dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Latvia still celebrates its pre-Christian pagan traditions complete with jumping over bonfires for Midsummer’s Eve.
It also has the world’s widest waterfall called The Ventas Rumba in Kuldiga. There are many beaches and most of the country is covered in dense forestland.
Important travel information for Latvia
- Visitors should consider boiling or filtering tap water before drinking or brushing their teeth. Bottled water can be consumed as well
- The emergency number for tourists is 112
- Travellers should be careful when on the road in Latvia as road conditions are sometimes poor, tourists should be extra careful even when crossing the road
- Canadians should take out travel health insurance for Latvia
Does a Canadian need a visa for Latvia?
Canadian travellers who only intended to spend 90 consecutive days within every 190-day period in the Schengen Area do not need a visa for Latvia. However, by 2026, they will be required to have an approved Latvia ETIAS. The ETIAS travel authorization for Canadians is valid for multiple short visits in Latvia and any other Schengen country.for tourism, business, transit, or medical treatment.
However, in order to stay for longer consecutive periods or for purposes such as to work or study, citizens of Canada need a visa to travel to Latvia, also known as a Schengen visa. Canadian travellers who require a Schengen visa should contact the Latvian Embassy in Canada.
Canadian embassy in Latvia
Embassy of Canada in Riga, Latvia
- Address: 20/22 Baznicas Street, 6th Floor Riga, LV-1010, Latvia
- Phone: (011 371) 6781 3945
- Email: rigag@international.gc.ca