Are you planning to visit, study, or work in Canada? Find out if you require a temporary resident visa (TRV) first!

Since Canada is host to more than 20 million visitors during an average year, it is important to note that many of our visitors require approval from the government of Canada before coming to the country. Therefore, those who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada may need to obtain a temporary resident visa (TRV) before their arrival date. They will not be eligible to receive a temporary resident visa once they arrive in the country.

What is a Temporary Resident Visa?

A TRV is also known as a visitor visa. It is an official document from the Canadian visa office that is placed in your passport to provide proof that you meet the requirements for admission to Canada as a worker, student, or visitor. In addition, this requirement can also apply to temporary residents who are in the process of transitioning to Canada. 

Do You Require a Temporary Resident Visa to Visit Canada? 

Nationality is a main determining factor here. Some countries have been visa-exempt, which means that citizens from these countries only require an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before arriving. Therefore, if you are a citizen of a country that Canada has exempted from the Temporary Resident Visa requirement, then you must obtain an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before your arrival. If you are travelling over land (i.e. driving), keep in mind that visa-exempt visitors can obtain approval to enter the country on a temporary basis at the Canadian border.

To determine if you need a temporary resident visa, visit the Government of Canada’s information page and answer the prompted questions. 

Temporary Resident Permit Canada Application

Requirements

Firstly, you will need to present your met requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. You also need to prove that you will be in Canada temporarily. In addition, you must fulfill the following:

• Demonstrate that you have enough money to maintain yourself and your family members in Canada.
• Prove to an officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your intended stay.
• You cannot work or study in Canada unless you have been authorized and approved to do so.
• Provide additional documents that are requested by the officer.
• Be law abiding with no record of criminal activity.
• Be in good health. In some cases, a medical examination is required. 

Applying for a Temporary Resident Visa

You can apply online or on paper, depending on which option you prefer. For information on both of these application processes, visit the Government of Canada website. 

STEP ONE: Gather Your Documents

To determine which entry documents you need in order to apply, answer these questions. Please note that visa offices can request additional supporting documents that are specific to your country. By not providing ALL requested documents, your application process will inevitably be delayed.

If your documents are not originally in English or French, then you must obtain the English or French translation of these documents, the affidavit from the person who completed the translation, and a certified copy of the original document. 

STEP TWO: Fill Out Application Forms

There are a number of forms to complete:

• Application for Temporary Resident Visa [IMM 5257] (PDF, 0.56 MB)
• Family Information (IMM 5645 or IMM 5707)
• Document Checklist [IMM 5484] (PDF, 1.12 MB)
• Document Checklist – Applicants in Canada [IMM 5721] (PDF, 0.91 MB), if applicable
• Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union [IMM 5409] (PDF, 0.78 MB), if applicable
• Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (PDF, 1.53 MB), if applicable
• Authority to release personal information to a designated individual [IMM 5475] (PDF, 1.52 MB), if applicable

(This list is from https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5256-applying-visitor-visa-temporary-resident-visa.html#5256E4) 

STEP THREE: Pay Fees

There are two types of fees associated with this application process. The first type is an application processing fee, which is usually $100 per person. However, there is an additional fee for every family member that you bring with you.

The second type is a biometric fee. The Government of Canada website can help you calculate the biometric fee and determine whether or not you need to provide biometrics. 

STEP FOUR: Submit

Now all that is left is to submit the application. Simply submit it through the Visa Application Centre (VAC) or online using an IRCC Secure Account. 

You may submit family applications together online or through a Visa Application Centre (VAC) and pay for the total amount of all family members at once. Please keep in mind that all family members must complete their own application forms.