All about the working holiday in Latvia!
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation…)
Between 18 and 30 or 35 years old
A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday
At least €700 or equivalent in another currency
This must be your first participation
Must cover medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation
Must be a citizen of a partner country
01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?
WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.
02. Which nationalities are eligible?
Young adults from Canada, Japan and New Zealand can apply.
03. What is the application fee?
The visa fee is €60 and the state processing fee is €100.
04. What documents are required for the application?
Standard items include:
- Completed application form
- Passport
- Passport-sized photo of yourself
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Cover letter detailing the purpose of your trip
- Proof of address for where you will stay initially
Check the specific requirements for your citizenship with your nearest Embassy before applying.
05. How long is the visa good for?
The WHV allows holders to stay up to one year in Latvia.
Exception: Canadian citizens can apply for a second year but must take a break in between stays.
06. Are there any other requirements I should be aware of?
Requirements vary depending on citizenship. For example, Canadian citizens applying for their second year must participate in a different category to their first year.
Check the specific requirements for your citizenship before applying:
07. What is the processing time?
The state fee covers processing of your application within 30 days.
09. Can I bring my spouse and/or children?
No, you cannot bring dependents on your WHV to Latvia. Your spouse/partner must apply for their own WHV, if they are eligible.
10. Can I leave and re-enter at any time?
Yes, you can leave and re-enter Latvia within the visa period and travel through other European countries, subject to compliance with the Schengen area. (Source)
11. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?
We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday, to Latvia and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.
We don’t ask for any money, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.
12. Where can I apply?
You must send your completed application form and all supporting documents to your nearest Embassy.
As mentioned earlier, all working holiday makers must have health insurance for the duration of their WHV. Your insurance must cover at least medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation.
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They meet the requirements and have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.
- Chapter 5: Getting WHV health insurance
- Everything You Need to Know About Insurance for Working Holiday and Other Adventures Abroad
- What to have in your Working Holiday adventure first-aid kit
Latvia’s currency is the euro (€). There are two main ways to open a foreign-currency account: via 1) a traditional bank or 2) an online neo-bank. Traditional banks usually require you to already be in the country. You would have to make and attend an appointment where a representative would ask you for some documents.
If you want to have a euro debit card in hand before even arriving in Latvia, you may want to consider the second option, an online neo-bank like Wise. It is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs. Your euro account would also have its own routing and account numbers, so you can set up autopay, direct deposits, or transfer money to recipients in Latvia. These capabilities could be useful in exchanges with your employer or landlord. You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Latvia. Learn more about Wise.
There are advantages to both options. Wise registration is simple and quick, but traditional banks offer the possibility of issuing and depositing cheques, if that is something you need. So you could make a Wise account first and then a traditional account once you arrive in Latvia.
Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Latvia before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.
For your first couple of weeks, you could consider Airbnb or hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.
- Chapter 6: Booking housing for your arrival
- 7 Tips for finding housing during your working holiday abroad
- Couchsurfing Abroad
Once your application is approved, you will have plenty of things you need to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, from the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot but don’t worry, take it one step at a time!
As you prepare for your working holiday in Latvia, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, and so everything we write is from personal experience.
This is the perfect chance to learn or brush up on a foreign language. Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our other deals for working holiday makers.
All applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old (inclusive, i.e. until the day before their 31st birthday).
Exception: Canadian citizens can be up to 35 years old.
You must have a passport that is valid for both the entire duration of your working holiday and for at least three months after the expiration date of the visa.
At least €700 or the equivalent in another currency to show that you can support yourself for the initial period of your stay. If you don't have a return ticket, you should show additional funds to prove you can purchase one later on.
See our chapter on budgeting for an idea of how much more savings you should have for a working holiday.
This must be your first participation. If you have already been granted a Latvia WHV before, then you cannot apply again.
Exception: Canadian citizens can apply for a second year.
Your insurance must be valid for the full duration of your stay and cover at least medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation.
You must be a citizen of a partner country to apply. Latvia currently has bilateral accords with Canada, Japan and New Zealand.