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Temporary Residence Visa (TRV)

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SUMMARY

Visitors to Canada, including tourists, students, and workers, may need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to enter Canada.

You do not need a Temporary Resident Visa to visit Canada if you are from a visa-exempt country. In this case, a visa-exempt person flying to Canada would need to apply for and obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) (➨Page), before boarding his or her flight. . As a visa-exempt foreign national, you do NOT need an eTA (or a visitor visa) when arriving by car, bus, train or boat (including a cruise ship).

Citizens from all other countries must apply for a Temporary Resident Visa before entering Canada, unless otherwise exempt.

The TRV is a document issued by a Visa Office outside of Canada that proves the holder has met the requirements for visitor admission to Canada. Both single entry and multiple entry TRVs are possible. Tourists are typically permitted entry for a period of six (6) months.

A Canadian multiple-entry visa allows holders to enter Canada repeatedly for up to 10 years or until their passport or biometric information expires. Officers determine whether to issue single- or multiple-entry visas by considering the purpose of visit, applicant’s funds, medical conditions, and ties to their home country. The visa's duration may be shortened based on factors like the applicant’s situation and visit purpose.

It is crucial to remember that simply having a valid TRV does not guarantee that the officer at the Canadian Port of Entry will admit your entry to Canada. All individuals who, in the officers' judgment, do not intend to depart Canada when their visitor status expires will not be allowed entry at the Port of Entry.

Study Permit / Work Permit: If you plan to study in Canada more than six (6) months, you require a Study Permit (➨Page), in addition to a Temporary Resident Visa or eTA. If you plan to work in Canada in most cases you also need a Work Permit (➨Page), in addition to a Temporary Resident Visa or eTA. International students and temporary foreign workers may be admitted for a variety of terms that are decided on a case-by-case basis. You can request extensions from anywhere in Canada.

Super Visa: The parents and grandparents multiple-entry temporary resident visa or Super Visa (➨Page), allows you to visit your children or grandchildren in Canada for up to five (5) years. It's a multi-entry visa that allows you to visit Canada multiple times for up to ten (10) years.

Transit Visa: A transit visa (➨Page) is required for foreign nationals from visa-required countries (➨Appendix 10). in order to travel through Canada without stopping or staying. Even if the visitor will be in Canada for less than 48 hours, they still need a visa.

Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.

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MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

1- Visa Required Countries

Most visitors to Canada either require a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), but not both. Some people might only require their valid passport. To find out if you need a TRV or an eTA to enter Canada, see (➨Appendix 10).

To find out whether you require a TRV or eTA, you may use the Visiting Canada Tool by IRCC (➨immilib.com/VisitCanadaTool)

2- Purpose of Visit

All foreign nationals seeking entry into Canada must be able to demonstrate to an officer at the POE or a Visa Office that they have a valid reason for entering or remaining in Canada.

This can be achieved by providing the following:

  • An invitation letter (which can be verified) from the family/friends/colleagues to be visited in Canada, outlining the purpose and duration of the visit.
  • Contact information for persons who may be able to substantiate the stated purpose for coming or remaining in Canada.
  • Any other documentation that can substantiate the stated purpose.

Officers investigate whether you have a legitimate reason to travel temporarily to Canada or whether you intend to remain in Canada illegally, claim refugee status, or otherwise seek to remain in Canada despite the requirement to depart at the conclusion of your authorized temporary stay.

Note : A person may have a dual or eventual intent to become a permanent resident, but to qualify for a temporary resident visa, they must demonstrate the ability and willingness to leave Canada at the end of the authorized temporary period (dual intent).

3- Ties to Canada and/or Country of Residence

You must demonstrate that the ties to your home country are sufficiently strong to ensure that you are motivated to return home after the visit to Canada.

To reach the decision the office will examine the following:

  • Who invited you to Canada? Is there proof of an invitation?
  • Do you have family in Canada? If so, what is their immigration status in Canada?
  • Are you employed? If yes, at what salary? In what position? Has your employer approved a request for leave?
  • What family do you have in the country of residence? Where were they at the time of the application?
  • Do you have property? What is the value of the property?
  • What financial obligations are you leaving behind? What is the nature and value of these obligations?
  • What other responsibilities and obligations are you leaving behind? How will you be discharged?
  • Is travel consistent with local customs or practices? Have you travelled before?

Even if your ties to your home country appear to be strong, there may be other factors in the general economic or political environment that render your and your family's long-term prospects uncertain.

4- Financial Support

Temporary residents must demonstrate their ability to support themselves and any dependents accompanying them while in Canada. The amount of money you will need depends on how long you will stay and if you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives.

This evidence could consist of the following:

  • Cash, certified check, bank draught, or money order in an amount sufficient to cover all reasonable expenses incurred during the stay in Canada (or of your spouse’s)
  • Verbal or written statements, which can be verified, indicating that sufficient financial support from friends and/or family is available and has been arranged to cover all reasonable expenses incurred during the stay in Canada.
  • Your (and spouse's) letter of employment or employment book, providing name of employer, applicant's position/occupation, date employment started and annual earnings.
  • Your host or family member's (and spouse's) proof of income, such as a previous year's Notice of Assessment or letter from employer(s) showing position, start date, and annual earnings.
  • Family size proof for Canadian host or relative (to equate earnings with size of family to ensure ability to support long-term visit).

In cases where applicants pose a low risk, routine document requirements may be limited or waived. For inland extensions or frequent visitors, the client history may provide enough information to determine if applicants can support themselves in Canada.

5- Travel History

If you have travelled extensively, it is important to demonstrate that you always complied with the conditions of your stay. The more countries the better and extensive history of compliance during travels abroad is a strong indicator of future comportment with the terms of any visa issued by Canada.

Previous travels to Canada or a pattern of travel to countries like UK, USA, Australia or Schengen countries may indicate that an applicant is a genuine visitor. 

If you have no travel history at the time of application, you should provide a comprehensive explanation. Perhaps you’ve spent years earning qualifications with no time for travel, have lived on a tight budget to save for this trip, or you’ve been caring for family members. You would need to provide evidence to support your explanation in any case.

6- Other Factors

In order to approve your visitor visa, the officer may take other factors in consideration including the following:

Most foreign nationals who come to Canada to work or study must have their work or study permit approved before they arrive. Refer to the Guidelines for Students (Page) or Temporary Foreign Workers (Page).

Any issues with admissibility, such as criminality or security, must be addressed. Evidence that an applicant won't pose any health risks, will remain healthy, and won't have a history of any contagious, physical, or mental diseases is also required. The purchase of travel and medical insurance may be helpful when one's health is a concern.

Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.

FMRA

WHAT STEPS SHOULD YOU TAKE?

Step 1: Write a Strong Cover Letter

An important part of getting a Canadian visitor visa is writing a cover letter. The following important pieces of information should be in the cover letter for a Canadian visitor visa application:

  • The purpose of your travel to Canada
  • Describe how you will pay for your trip and proof that you have enough money
  • Explain where your money comes from. If you have a sponsor in Canada, explain who they are and what your relationship is with them.
  • Give an overview of your flight plan (travel itinerary). You should include the times of your flights and the main things you want to do in Canada.
  • Talk about why you chose Canada
  • Explain what documents you are going to submit with your visa application.
  • You should convince the visa officer that you will return to your home country.

Step 2: Apply for TRV

You must apply for a Temporary Residence Visa from outside Canada. You must apply online with the IRCC portal  (➨immilib.com/TRV-Apply). You may apply on paper if you can’t apply online because of a disability, or if you’re travelling with an identity or travel document that was issued to a refugee, a stateless person or a non-citizen.

You can only apply for a visitor visa from inside Canada if you are already in Canada with a valid study or work permit, you have an existing visitor visa that’s expired, or is about to expire, or that was valid for only 1 entry, and you want to leave and return to Canada in the near future.

Step 3: Get your fingerprint and photo taken (Biometrics)

You and any members of your family between 14 and 79 years old need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics). You only need to give your biometrics once every 10 years. If you gave biometrics in the past as part of an application for a visitor visa, work or study permit and they’re still valid, you don’t need to give them again.

You will be contacted to give your biometrics and you will have 30 days from the date on the letter to do it.

In order to give biometrics you need to go to an official biometrics collection service point. You must give your biometrics in person.

Before you go, check the location’s website for its services and fees at (➨immilib.com/Biometrics).
Temporary Residence Visa
Submit the application online or by
immilib.com/TRV-Apply
Official Program Guide:
immilib.com/TRV-Guide
IRCC Application Fees:
Applicant: $100
Spouse: $100
Each child – Visitor: $100
Biometrics: $85
Processing Time:
immilib.com/FED-PT
Document Checklist:
In Canada:
immilib.com/TRV-Doc
Contact:
1-888-242-2100 (in Canada)
1-613-944-4000 (outside Canada)
Web Form:
immilib.com/web-form
Visa Office:
immilib.com/Visa-Offices

Step 4: Arrival with Temporary Residence Visa

If your application is approved, the visa will be stamped inside your passport. It is crucial to remember that simply having a valid TRV does not guarantee that the officer at the Canadian Port of Entry will admit your entry to Canada. All individuals who, in the officers' judgment, do not intend to depart Canada when their visitor status expires will not be allowed entry at the Port of Entry.

Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.

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WELCOME TO CANADA!

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