Latvia
LVALatvia is a Baltic EU and Schengen member state using the euro, offering one of the most affordable costs of living in the eurozone. Riga, its vibrant Art Nouveau capital, anchors a growing tech and startup scene. Naturalisation requires five years of legal residence, a Latvian language test at B1 level, and a civics exam, though Latvia does not generally permit dual citizenship for naturalised citizens.
The Latvian passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to around 155 destinations. Citizens of Latvian descent can reclaim citizenship across generations. Personal income tax is a flat 23 % on most income, with a progressive element for higher earners introduced in recent reforms.
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Dual citizenship
- Not allowed
- Capital
- Riga
- Region
- europe
- Population
- 1,830,000
- Cost-of-living
- 52 /100
Passport Rank
#15
Visa-Free
155
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Latvia passport has visa-free access to 155 destinations. See the full Latvia passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Latvia without a prior visa (91)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Latvia
Current IRCC processing times for Latvia nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 28 days |
| Super visa | No processing time available |
| Study permit | No processing time available |
| Work permit | No processing time available |
| Sponsor a dependent child | No processing time available |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | Not enough data |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: Not enough data / refugee: Not enough data |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-09-22 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
Country Details
- Capital
- Riga
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- Latvian
- Population
- 1,830,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Schengen / EU
- Schengen / EU
- Climate
- Humid continental with cold winters and mild summers
- English Proficiency Rank
- #14
- GDP per capita
- $26,312
- Life expectancy
- 76.43 yrs
- Population growth
- -0.99%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
52
Safety
67
Healthcare
58
Quality of Life
148
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 5 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riga | $710 | $490 | $290 | $135 | $34 |
| Liepāja | $410 | $280 | $265 | $115 | $22 |
| Daugavpils | $330 | $220 | $250 | $110 | $18 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Riga
Rainfall range: 30–80 mm/month · Daylight 6h (winter) to 18h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Schengen C
- Long-stay D
- Temporary Residence
- Permanent Residence
- Work
- Student
- Family
- Investor
- Authority
- Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA / PMLP)
- Official Portal
- www.pmlp.gov.lv
- Phone
- +371 67219752
- pmlp@pmlp.gov.lv
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 10
- Language Test
- Yes (Latvian A2/B1)
- Civic Test
- Yes
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- No
- Fee
- $28
- Processing
- ~12 months
Safety
GPI Rank
#23
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠Bar and nightclub tab inflation in Riga Old Town targeting tourists and expats
- ⚠Fake rental listings on local classifieds (ss.lv) requiring upfront deposits for non-existent apartments
- ⚠Unlicensed taxi overcharging at Riga International Airport and major bus terminals
Examples of areas to avoid: Maskavas forštate (Moscow District, Riga) — high petty-crime rates after dark in parts of this dense Soviet-era neighbourhood
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Latvia, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Latvian Council of Sworn Advocates
LZAPProfessional body of sworn advocates in Latvia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by sworn advocates.
Related Guides
Fastest paths to an EU passport in 2025
A sourced comparison of the shortest EU naturalisation timelines, from 2-year descent fast-tracks to 5-year residency routes — plus the hidden requirements that extend them in practice.
Exit tax: countries that charge you to leave
Country-by-country reference of departure taxes, deemed-disposition rules, and wealth-locking regimes that trigger when tax residency ends.
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Citizenship by Descent
Sources & last verified
- Last verified