The Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is a legal document for foreign nationals who want to visit Canada. If you have plans to visit friends and family in Canada, do business, or are simply taking a trip, you’ll need to look into a TRV. This visitor visa is for travelers who aren’t from a visa-exempt country and allows them to enter Canada on a visitor status.
Whether you’re planning on seeing family members or exploring the country’s beautiful and varying landscapes, a valid Temporary Resident Visa might be what you need to make sure your trip isn’t ruined by being denied entry.
Who Needs a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)?
Canada has a lot of different visas, and like others, not everyone needs a TRV to enter Canada. The types of travelers that usually need to have a TRV are:
- People who are traveling to Canada for tourism, to see family members, business, or short-term studies for up to six months.
- Foreign nationals from non-visa-exempt countries.
If you’re a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you don’t need to apply for a TRV, but you might need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). The best way you can determine if you need a TRV or another type of visa is to check with the Canadian government’s website.
Types of Temporary Resident Visas
Once you decide if you need to get a TRV before you enter Canada, you’ll then have to choose which one is the right one for your situation. The two types of TRVs are:
- Single-Entry Visa: This allows you to enter Canada once. If you choose to leave the country, besides for trips to St. Pierre and Miquelon or the United States, you’ll have to apply for a new TRV or visitor visa before trying to re-enter. This is ideal for a one-time visit to Canada.
- Multiple-Entry Visa: With this type of TRV, you can enter and leave Canada and then come back without needing to get a new visa during the validity period. Multiple-entry TRVs are typically valid for ten years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. This is great for those who frequently travel to Canada for work or to see friends and family.
Which one you’ll need depends on your specific circumstances, like why you’re traveling and the discretion of the person reviewing your application at the Canadian visa office.
Eligibility Requirements
If you want to get a Temporary Resident Visa, you’ll need to make sure that you meet the eligibility requirements of the visa office. These requirements include:
- Valid Passport: You need a valid passport from your home country. It needs to remain valid throughout the time you plan to be in Canada.
- Ties to Your Home Country: The visa officer will only issue you the TRV if you have clear and strong ties to your home country. It shows that you intend to leave the country whenever your authorization expires.
- Intent to Leave: You must ensure the visa officer that you plan to leave Canada before or by the end of your authorized stay. This can be shown through your ties to your home country and a laid-out travel plan.
- Good Health: You have to be in good health or at least not pose a public health risk to the public. Some visas require that you undergo a medical exam as part of your application process.
- Clean Record: You can’t have any criminal or immigration-related convictions on our record if you want a TRV to enter Canada.
- Admissibility: You have to be legally allowed into Canada. This means you don’t have any health risk or criminal record or pose a security risk.
- Sufficient Funds: You’ll need to prove that you have enough money to support yourself however long you plan on being in Canada. You can use employment records, bank statements, or anything similar.
Application Process
If you want temporary resident status, you’ll need to apply for a visa. The application process can feel daunting, but knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared and ensure you’re not making any mistakes that can delay your visa approval. The application for a TRV looks like:
- Choose How You’ll Apply: You can apply for the TRV online or with a physical paper application. Online applications are generally quicker to do and get approval for.
- Complete the Application Forms: Complete all the forms you need for your application, including the IMM 5257.
- Gather Your Documents: Collect all the documents required for your application. Make sure they’re legible and accurate before you upload them.
- Pay the Application Fee: Make your application fee payment and any other additional fees they might require.
- Submit Biometrics if Necessary: If they require you to submit your biometrics, complete that and the additional paperwork required.
- Submit Your Application: Officially send in your application to the Canadian visa office and wait to see if you’re approved. There are ways you can check the processing times for different types of visas online.
Supporting Documents
To give yourself the best chance of getting your TRV approved, you’ll want to make sure you have your supporting documents in order. Make sure you have the following:
- Valid Passport: You have to have a valid passport that is still valid for six months beyond your stay in Canada.
- Passport-Sized Pictures: You’ll need passport-sized recent photos to provide to the visa office.
- Travel Itinerary: You can show this by flight reservations or accommodation details.
- Proof of Funds: You can show your bank statements from three to six months before your application, employment records with salary, or proof someone else is funding your trip.
- Letter of Invitation (if applicable): Your host in Canada might have to provide an invitation letter stating why you’re visiting, the duration, and your relationship with them.
- Purpose of Travel: Business travel requires a letter from your employer and an invitation from the company in Canada you’re visiting. For tourism, you’ll need to provide your plans, and for family visits, you’ll need to show proof of your relationship to the Canadian citizens or permanent residents you plan on seeing.
- Proof of Ties to Home Country: This can include documents proving you own property, family ties documentation like marriage certificates, birth certificates, etc.
- Previous Travel History: Provide copies of any visas you previously had and stamps from other countries in your passport, if applicable.
There’s a possibility you might need additional documentation that further proves why you’re traveling to Canada and for how long you intend to stay. Always ensure that the documents you provide are clear, easy to read, and accurate to avoid delays in your application processing.
Processing Times and Fees
As with applying for any visa to enter Canada, understanding the processing time and fees you’ll have to pay will help you be better prepared.
The processing time for a Temporary Resident Visa in Canada will vary based on different factors like your country of residence, the current application volume, and the completeness of your application. Generally, the processing time for this visitor visa is between a few weeks and several months. You can check current processing times on the IRCC’s website.
When applying for TRV, be prepared to pay the following fees:
- CAD 100 for the application fee
- CAD 500 maximum application fee for families traveling together
- CAD 85 for biometrics fees (if applicable)
- CAD 200-500 for a medical examination (if applicable)
Remember, all the fees are non-refundable, and that doesn’t automatically mean that your TRV application will be approved.
Extending Your Stay
If you’re in Canada with a TRV and need or want to extend your stay, you might be able to do so. You’ll want to apply for a Visitor Record, which will allow you to stay in Canada longer than the original period you were granted at entry. You have to apply for the Visitor Record before your current TRV expires.
You’ll apply for the Visitor Record on the IRCC website, where you’ll provide the reason for requesting your extension, proof of funds, and any other documents they need to approve your extension.
To ensure that you can stay in Canada while you await approval of your extension, you’ll want to apply at least 30 days before your TRV expires. If your extension request is approved, you’ll get a Visitor Record informing you how long you’re now allowed to stay.
On the other hand, if you’re denied, you’ll need to leave Canada immediately, and you can reapply for a TRV once you arrive back in your home country.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I stay in Canada with a TRV?
How long you’re able to stay in Canada with a TRV varies. Most visitors are allowed to stay for up to six months but the exact amount of time is determined by the border service officer upon your arrival in Canada. A date will be stamped in your passport, letting you know how long you’re allowed to stay, but if there’s not, then it’s the default of six months.
What should I do if my TRV application is denied?
If it’s denied, you’ll want to read the refusal letter to understand why it was denied. Then, you can address the reason for the denial and reapply if you choose to appeal the denial. We recommend getting advice from an immigration lawyer or consultant if you have specific questions.
Can I work or study in Canada with a TRV?
You can, but the TRV alone doesn’t allow you to do so. You’ll still need a work permit or study visa to be able to do this. There are some exceptions for short-term researchers, business visitors, etc.