Marrying and Sponsoring a Latvian Citizen

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  • Located in Eastern Europe bordering the Baltic Sea between Estonia and Lithuania
  • The climate is maritime wet with moderate winters

 

Marriage to a Latvian Citizen

Every country has its own laws that apply to its citizens marrying a person from a different country. Getting married to a Latvian citizen with the goal of eventually bringing them to Canada to live is a process with many steps.

If you want to bring your Latvian spouse or partner to live in Canada, you must then file a sponsorship application for them to become a permanent resident. If they would like to visit you in Canada while their application is in process, they must also apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization. For more information, please see our family sponsorship page and our eTA article.

 

Latvian Marriage Basic Requirements

In order to marry a citizen of Latvia, you must demonstrate to the Latvian government that you are eligible to do so. This includes:

  • Proof of country of birth
  • Proof of single status
  • Proof of age requirement

 

Latvian Marriage Ceremony

The marriage ceremony to a Latvian citizen can legally take place in Latvia, Canada, or any other country as long as both parties have the necessary visas to enter this country legally. This marriage can then be recognized when applying for a permanent residence or an eTA for your Latvian spouse. To learn more about ceremony customs, see below.

 

Family Members

If your Latvian spouse has dependent children, this does not affect the Latvian Marriage document application.

If you have dependent children, they have no effect on the application to marry a Latvian citizen.

 

How long is the Latvian Marriage document valid?

The document is valid for 6 months from the date of issue. If you do not marry your Latvian fiancé within 6 months of the issuance of the Latvian Marriage document, you must apply again with new supporting documents.

 

List of Latvian Consulates in Canada

Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Canada

 

Calling Latvia from Canada

The country code is 371 so to call you dial 011 – 371- local number. There are no area codes in Latvia.

 

Calling Latvia from Canada

Dial 00 – 1 – area code – local number

 

Area Codes of Canada

Province Code Province  Code
Alberta 403 / 587 (southern Alberta)

587 / 780 (central and northern Alberta)

Nunavut 867
BC 236 / 250 / 778 (majority of BC)

236 / 604 / 778 (Metro Vancouver)

Ontario 226 / 519 (southwestern Ontario)

249 / 705 (northeastern Ontario)

289 / 365 / 905 (Greater Toronto Area)

343 / 613 (eastern Ontario)

416 / 647 (Toronto)

807 (northwestern Ontario)

Manitoba 204 / 431 PEI 782 / 902
New  Brunswick 506 Quebec 418 / 581 (eastern Quebec)

438 / 514 (Montreal)

450 / 579 (Greater Montreal)

819 / 873 (remainder of Quebec)

Newfoundland and Labrador 709 Saskatchewan 306 / 639
Northwest Territories 867 Yukon 867
Nova Scotia 782 / 902

 

Time Difference

Latvia is on Eastern European Time (GMT+2). Latvia participates in Daylight Saving Time, however Europe changes their clocks at slightly different times than Canada, meaning that there are two periods each year – in March and October – when the time differences below are 1hour less. Saskatchewan does not participate in DST and so in the summertime the time difference is 1 hour greater.

Canadian Time Zone # of Hours Latvia is Ahead
Pacific (BC, Yukon) 10 hours
Mountain (Alberta, western Nunvaut, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan) 9 hours
Central (Manitoba, Northwest Territories, central Nunavut, northwestern Ontario, Saskatchewan*) 8 hours
Eastern (most of Ontario, most of Quebec) 7 hours
Atlantic (Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, eastern Quebec) 6 hours
Newfoundland 5.5 hours

 

Emergency Information for Canadians in Latvia

The Canadian Embassy in Riga does not have a full consular department. In order to get certain services – such as renewing or replacing a passport – you may have to contact the Embassy in Stockholm

Embassy of Canada in Riga

20/22 Baznicas Street
6th Floor
Riga LV-1010
Latvia

Telephone: 371 6781-3945
Fax: 371 6781-3960
Email: [email protected]
Website: latvia.gc.ca


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Embassy of Canada in Stockholm

23 Klarabergsgatan
Stockholm
Sweden

Postal Address:
P.O. Box 16129 , Stockholm, Sweden, 10323

Telephone: 46 (0) 8 453-3000
Fax: 46 (0) 8 453-3016
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: sweden.gc.ca


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Emergency Numbers in Latvia

  • 112 – main
  • 01 – fire department
  • 02 or 110 – police
  • 03 or 113 – emergency medical service
  • 04 – emergency gas service

In Latvia, cell phones cannot dial numbers beginning with 0. In order to call any of the above numbers beginning with 0 – 01, 02, 03, 04 – dial the country code first, i.e. 371-01.

 

The Government of Canada’s Travel Alerts for Latvia

For travel alerts, click here

Sponsoring Your Latvian Spouse to Come to Canada

The sponsorship process can be lengthy and frustrating. To learn more about it, click the button below:

Learn More

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