Quick answer
Canadian citizens aged 18-35 can apply for a Youth Exchange Programme residence permit and work permit in Latvia. The permit is valid for up to one year , and there is an annual quota of 50 participants . Applicants must submit a valid passport, a completed questionnaire, a tuberculosis statement, and documents proving their purpose (e.g., employment contract, internship, or intention to travel and work occasionally) [4][5][7][8]. Upon arrival, they must present their passport and a health insurance policy covering hospitalization and repatriation [12][13].
Key facts
| Age requirement | 18-35 years[2] |
| Eligibility | Canadian citizens can apply for the Youth Exchange Programme residence permit and work permit through the Embassy of Latvia in Canada.[1][3] |
| Application submission | Applicants must submit required documents to the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Canada.[3] |
| Decision notification | The OCMA sends the decision regarding granting of the residence permit and work permit to the Embassy, which notifies the applicant.[11] |
Am I eligible?
Canadian citizens
- Must be a Canadian citizen
- Must submit application to the Embassy of Latvia in Canada
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Requirements in detail
Your secondary education certificate must meet Latvian education standards.
You must be enrolled in a Latvian higher education institution.
You must have sufficient competence in the language of instruction (usually Latvian, English, or Russian).
EU/EEA citizens need a valid passport or identity card; others may need a visa.
Citizens of countries requiring a visa must obtain a 3-month entry visa before arrival.
Documents you'll need
- A copy of a valid passport (original must be produced) with validity exceeding the intended residence period by at least three months [4]
- A completed questionnaire for the residence permit application [5]
- A statement confirming the applicant does not have active tuberculosis (if not legalised, must be confirmed in the questionnaire) [7]
- A document confirming one of the following: former or current registration in a Canadian post-secondary institution, a pre-arranged employment contract or internship confirmation in Latvia, or an application regarding intention to travel and work occasionally [8]
This list adjusts automatically based on your nationality and category.
How to apply
- 1
Submit the required documents to the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Canada [3]
- 2
The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) will send the decision to the Embassy, which will notify the applicant [11]
- 3
Upon arrival in Latvia, present a valid passport and a health insurance policy covering hospitalisation and repatriation for the entire planned residence period at the OCMA office [12][13]
Frequently asked questions
How will I be notified of the decision on my residence permit application?
The OCMA sends the decision to the Embassy of Latvia in Canada, which will notify you.
Related visas
Sources
One numbered entry per specific claim — several entries may point to the same underlying document, each with its own locator.
- [1]
in the questionnaire of application for the residence permit: - shall indicate the reason of residence – according to the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [2]
a payment document that confirms payment of the state fee of EUR 100
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [3]
The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (hereinafter – the OCMA) passes the decision regarding granting of the residence permit and work permit within 30 days
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [4]
**Degrees in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy** (5 and 6 year courses of study are available) are equivalent to a master's degree and graduates of these programmes can continue their studies at the do
Visas and residence permits | Study in Latvia · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [5]
### ## Academic year The academic year in most of the higher educational institutions starts at the beginning of September, there are 40 weeks divided into 2 semesters
Visas and residence permits | Study in Latvia · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [6]
The range is from less than €1,600 per year in certain bachelor’s degree programmes (3-4 years of studies) to €15,000 per year for a degree in Dentistry (5 years) to €25,600 for Executive MBA degree
Visas and residence permits | Study in Latvia · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [7]
EU citizens can spend up to 90 days a year in Latvia without a visa if they have a valid passport or identity card (for a full list of countries whose citizens do not require a visa to enter Latvia se
Visas and residence permits | Study in Latvia · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [8]
Eligibility for Canadian citizens aged 18-35
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [9]
Required documents for application
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [10]
Validity of residence and work permit
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [11]
Annual quota for Canadian citizens
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [12]
Post-arrival requirements
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [13]
Youth Exchange Programme eligibility and application
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced
This page reflects Latvia's officially published requirements as of the dates above. It is not legal advice, and final approval is solely at the discretion of Latvia's immigration authorities. For a case-specific compliance check against your own documents, try VisaBook free.