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🇨🇦CANADA
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Do Canada passport holders need a visa to visit LV?

No visa needed. Canadian ordinary passport holders can visit Latvia visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a Schengen short-stay visitor. Latvia is a member of the Schengen Area, and Canada is on the EU's visa-exempt list. As of May 2026, holders of an ordinary Canadian passport may enter Latvia for tourism without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. The 90-day allowance is shared across the entire Schengen Area, not per country. No application or fee is required before travel. Two systems affect entry: the Entry/Exit System (EES), operational since 12 October 2025, registers non-EU travellers (including biometrics) automatically at the border at no cost; and ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, which is expected to begin operation in late 2026 (Q4) with a transitional grace period before becoming mandatory. ETIAS is NOT yet required as of this verification date, so Canadians currently need only a valid passport. The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the intended departure date from the Schengen Area and ideally issued within the last 10 years. Canada has no separate bilateral arrangement overriding Schengen rules; the visa-free status flows from the EU short-stay visa waiver.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
Canada (PR)Living in Canada as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Visa-free short stay (Schengen visa waiver)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
per entry
Entries
Multiple entries within the 90/180 allowance
from issue date
Visa fee
None (CAD 0)
consular fee only
Processing time
None - no pre-travel visa application required
standard track
Validity
Passport valid at least 3 months beyond departure from Schengen; 90/180 rule applies
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm your passport meets Schengen rules
Ensure your Canadian ordinary passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area and was issued within the previous 10 years.
· Passport validity· No visa needed
/02
Count your Schengen days
Verify you have not used up the 90-days-in-180 short-stay allowance across all Schengen countries in the rolling 180-day window before arrival.
· 90/180 rule
/03
Prepare supporting documents
Carry proof of onward/return travel, accommodation, sufficient funds, and valid travel medical insurance covering your whole stay, as Latvian border officers may request these.
· Border check
/04
Check ETIAS status before booking (late 2026 onward)
ETIAS is expected to launch in Q4 2026. Confirm whether it has entered force at your travel date; if so, apply online and pay the fee before departure.
· ETIAS pending
/05
Register at the border via EES
On arrival, complete Entry/Exit System registration (fingerprints and facial image captured automatically). No advance action or fee is required.
· EES since Oct 2025
/06
Enter and respect the 90-day limit
Present your passport and documents to the border officer, receive entry, and ensure you exit before exceeding 90 days to avoid overstay penalties.
· Tourism
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
Canadian ordinary passport valid 3+ months beyond departure from Schengen
required
Passport issued within the last 10 years
required
Proof of return or onward travel
recommended
Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation)
recommended
Evidence of sufficient funds for the stay
recommended
Valid travel medical insurance covering the whole stay
required
Confirm 90/180 Schengen day count not exceeded
required
Check ETIAS requirement at travel date (expected live late 2026)
recommended
Complete EES border registration on arrival
required
Note any temporary internal Schengen border controls
optional
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Schengen short-stay visaCAD 0Not required for Canadian passport holders
ETIAS travel authorisationEUR 20 (approx; expected late 2026)Not yet in force; free for travellers under 18 or over 70 when launched
EES border registrationCAD 0Automated biometric registration at the border, no charge
Total estimate00incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

ETIAS (when in force, late 2026)
Usually minutes; up to 96 hours
Online authorisation linked to passport, valid 3 years or until passport expiry; not yet required.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Schengen visa waiver for Canada
Canada is on the EU list of nationalities exempt from short-stay Schengen visas, so no visa is needed for tourism up to 90 days.
High
/02
Exceeding 90/180 allowance
The 90-day limit is shared across all Schengen countries; miscounting prior trips can cause overstay and entry refusal.
Medium
/03
Insufficient passport validity
Passport must be valid at least 3 months beyond departure and issued within 10 years, or boarding/entry may be denied.
Medium
/04
Missing supporting documents
Lacking proof of funds, insurance, accommodation, or return travel can lead to questioning or refusal at the border.
Low
/05
Upcoming ETIAS requirement
Once ETIAS launches (expected late 2026), travel without authorisation will eventually be refused after the grace period.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30 · major
Canada to Latvia route verified
Confirmed visa-free Schengen short-stay status for Canadian ordinary passport holders against Government of Canada and official Latvian sources. EES operational since Oct 2025; ETIAS expected Q4 2026 but not yet mandatory.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Canadians need a visa to visit Latvia?
No. Canadian ordinary passport holders can enter Latvia visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days in any 180-day period under the Schengen short-stay rules.
How long can I stay in Latvia without a visa?+
Do I need ETIAS to travel to Latvia now?+
What is EES and does it apply to me?+
How much passport validity do I need?+
Can I work in Latvia on this visa-free entry?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Canada passport

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