Latvia entry requirements for Canadian passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Visa (Government of Canada): Tourist visa not required for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, counted across the whole Schengen area; ETIAS will be required, but “Applications are not yet open”, says the same page. Official visa text
Passport validity (Government of Canada): Valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave the Schengen area. Official text
Official source: Government of Canada – Latvia travel advice and advisories (travel.gc.ca), section “Entry and exit requirements” · page last updated 14 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Whether Canadians need a visa for Latvia and how long a Canadian passport must be valid, as published by the Government of Canada, quoted word for word with the date of the official page.
Other passports: British passport · Australian passport
Do Canadians need a visa for Latvia?
In short: Tourist visa not required for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, counted across the whole Schengen area; ETIAS will be required, but “Applications are not yet open”, says the same page.
Our one-line summary of the first official line below, which matches a wording we recognise. It applies to Canadian citizens; read the full official text, which may add conditions.
Official text, “Visas”:
Tourist visa: not required for stays of up to 90 days*
Business visa: not required for stays of up to 14 days
Work permit: required
Student visa: not required for stays of up to 90 days*
* The 90-day period begins upon initial entry into any country of the Schengen area. Stays are cumulative and include visits to any Schengen area country within any 180-day period.
Also in the official “Entry and exit requirements” section:
European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)
The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is an electronic travel authorization (ETA) system. You will be required to apply online and pay for an ETIAS before you travel to any one of 30 European countries. Applications are not yet open. Apply only through the official EU website once the system is launched.
Dual citizens of Canada and participating countries
If you're a Canadian citizen but also a citizen of any of the participating countries, you will not be eligible to apply for an ETIAS. You must travel on your European passport. If you do not have a passport, or if you have an expired passport from the participating country of which you are also a citizen, you must apply for one or renew it before you travel.
If you are unsure whether you are a citizen of any of the participating countries, you must verify your status with the country's embassy or consulate in Canada before you travel, or you risk being denied entry to your destination.
If you are a Canadian with dual citizenship, you need to carry a valid Canadian passport to return to Canada by air.
Be cautious of fraudulent websites claiming to sell ETIAS authorizations.
Useful links
- Travelling to Europe
- Foreign representatives accredited to Canada
- Official ETIAS website – European Union
- Dual citizenship and ETIAS – European Union
Schengen area
Latvia is in the Schengen area. Canadian citizens do not need a visa to travel to countries within the Schengen area. However, visa-free travel only applies to stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Stays are cumulative and include visits to any Schengen area country.
Member states may temporarily reintroduce controls at internal border crossings within the Schengen area. You may be required to pass through immigration controls when entering Latvia, even if arriving from another Schengen area country. Verify if border controls are in effect before you travel to Latvia.
If you plan to stay in the Schengen area for a longer period of time, you will need a visa. You must contact the high commission or embassy of the countries you are travelling to and obtain the appropriate visa(s) before your departure.
When you enter the Schengen area, the Entry/Exit System (EES) collects information about your trip as well as your facial image and fingerprints. You don’t need to take any action before you travel.
Useful links
- Schengen area
- Foreign Representatives in Canada
- Travelling to Europe
- Entry/Exit System (EES) – European Union
- Temporary Reintroduction of Border Control – European Commission
Entry ban and restrictions on vehicles registered in Belarus or Russia
Latvia enforces an entry ban and restrictions on vehicles registered in Belarus or Russia. These restrictions are currently in place at the border and within Latvia and reflect European Union sanctions against Belarus and Russia.
Vehicles registered in Russia carrying Russian license plates will be refused entry into Latvia.
Restrictions on vehicles with Russian license plates are also in place in countries bordering Latvia. Check with local authorities before you try to leave Latvia in a vehicle with Russian license plates.
Certain exceptions apply. You should verify with the Latvian authorities before you attempt to cross the border in a private vehicle from Belarus or Russia.
Useful links
- Vehicles registered in the Republic of Belarus are officially prohibited from participating in road traffic in the Republic of Latvia – Financial Intelligence Unit of Latvia
- Persons with vehicles registered in the Russian Federation are banned from Entering Latvia – State Revenue Service
Health insurance
When entering Latvia, you must be able to show sufficient proof of medical insurance to customs officials, which must cover the entire length of your stay. If you do not have proof of insurance coverage, you may be required to obtain health insurance from a Latvian insurance company when you arrive.
Official source: Government of Canada – Latvia travel advice and advisories (travel.gc.ca), section “Visas” · page last updated 14 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
How long must my Canadian passport be valid for Latvia?
In short: Valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave the Schengen area.
Our one-line summary of the official sentence below, which matches a wording we recognise. Your airline may apply stricter rules.
Official text, “Regular Canadian passport”:
Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave the Schengen area.
Official source: Government of Canada – Latvia travel advice and advisories (travel.gc.ca), section “Regular Canadian passport” · page last updated 14 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
For Canadian passport holders. These rules are published by the Government of Canada (Global Affairs Canada) for Canadian citizens travelling on a regular Canadian passport. Before You Fly is an independent site: it is not a Government of Canada site and is not endorsed by the Government of Canada. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice. British passport? See the UK (FCDO) rules.
Read the full official travel advice for Latvia (safety, health, local laws) before you travel.
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Canadian passport: all destinations · British passport rules · Liquids rules by airport · EES and ETIAS status