Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)

Overview
A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), commonly known as a visitor visa, is an immigration document enabling foreign nationals to enter and visit Canada. Regardless of your purpose—whether you’re a student, temporary worker, or visiting for leisure—you’ll likely need a visitor visa unless you’re from a visa-exempt country.
Considering experiencing life in Canada but unsure about settling permanently? In such cases, a Temporary Resident Visa can be invaluable, depending on your circumstances. Obtaining a TRV might pave the way for permanent residency, regardless of your initial plans.
Temporary Residence Visas are essential for various programs in Canada, including Study Permits, Work Permits, Temporary Resident Permits, and Super Visas. These visas are official documents issued by a visa office, indicating that you meet the entry requirements as a temporary resident. While it doesn’t guarantee entry, it’s a crucial step, especially if permanent residency is your ultimate goal.

Individuals planning to enter Canada for temporary purposes, such as tourism, temporary employment (with work permits), or education (with study permits), must obtain a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) unless they are citizens of a visa-exempt country.

TRVs, issued by Canadian Immigration Visa Offices abroad, signify that the holder meets Canada’s entry requirements as a visitor. They can be for single or multiple entries. Tourists are typically allowed a six-month stay, while temporary workers and students are granted varying durations based on individual cases. Extensions can be requested from within Canada.

It is important to note that possession of a valid TRV does not necessarily mean that the Officer at the Canadian Port of Entry will admit the visitor into Canada. At the Port of Entry, all visitors must demonstrate that the purpose of their visit to Canada is of a temporary nature. Officers at the Port of Entry will deny admission to all persons who, in their opinion, do not intend to leave Canada at the expiry of their visitor status.

Single Entry Visas and Multiple Entry Visas

Canadian visitor visas come in two forms: single entry visas and multiple entry visas.

A single entry visa grants one-time entry into Canada, whereas a multiple entry visa permits holders to come and go from Canada as often as needed within the visa’s validity period. Applicants are automatically considered for multiple entry visas, with single entry visas issued only under special circumstances.

Multiple entry visitor visas allow stays of up to six months per visit and can remain valid for up to 10 years, though the exact duration is determined by the issuing visa officer. If you hold another status document, such as a study or work permit, and aren’t visa-exempt, you’ll receive a visitor visa upon entry to Canada to obtain your permit, typically in the form of a multiple entry visa.

If you temporarily leave Canada during your studies or work term, you won’t need a new visitor visa to re-enter as long as both your permit and visa are still valid.

Who Needs a Visitor Visa?

Anyone seeking entry into Canada who isn’t a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and isn’t exempt from visa requirements, needs a visitor visa. Canadian permanent residents cannot apply for a visitor visa; if their permanent resident card has expired, they must apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD). Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, cannot apply for a visitor visa either; they must travel with a valid Canadian passport.

If you’re transiting through Canada or visiting for business purposes (not as a temporary foreign worker), you might require a business visitor visa.

Visa Exempt Countries

Apart from Canadian citizens and permanent residents, individuals who do not need a visitor visa to enter Canada are those from visa-exempt countries. Canada has agreements with several countries exempting their citizens from visa requirements for visits of up to six months. If foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries plan to travel to Canada by air, they need a valid electronic travel authorization (eTA).

For those entering by land or sea, only a valid passport issued by a visa-exempt country is required, with the exception of citizens of the United States. Given the extensive, undefended border between Canada and the U.S., thousands of Canadian and U.S. citizens cross daily without visas. U.S. citizens can travel to Canada with a valid U.S. passport without needing a visitor visa or eTA, as long as their stay doesn’t exceed six months. U.S. permanent residents (Green Card holders) are also visa-exempt, regardless of their citizenship. They must have an eTA to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport, and upon entry, they need to present both a valid Green Card and passport.

For travelers from visa-exempt countries flying to Canada, obtaining an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before departure is mandatory, except for United States citizens, who do not require a TRV or eTA. However, Green Card holders in the United States need an eTA regardless of their nationality. Unless specifically exempt, those needing a TRV do not require an eTA, and vice versa.

How to Apply

Applicants requiring a visitor visa for entry into Canada have the option to apply online, via a paper application, or in person at a Visa Application Center (VAC). When traveling as a family, each member, including dependent children, must complete their own application, though all applications can be submitted together.

Depending on their country of citizenship, applicants may need to provide biometric information. If required, this includes fingerprints and a photograph, which can be provided at a biometric collection service point. Biometrics can be submitted either after completing the visitor visa application online when prompted, or simultaneously with submission when applying in person at a Visa Application Center (VAC).

Extending a Visitor Visa

Visitor visas, whether single entry or multiple entry, permit foreign nationals to reside in Canada legally for up to six months at a stretch. Upon the expiry of this period, your legal status ends, necessitating your departure from Canada. If you wish to prolong your stay beyond six months, you must apply for an extension while your temporary resident status remains valid. It’s advisable to initiate the extension process at least 30 days before your status expires. Should your current visa expire while awaiting the decision on your extension application, you’re allowed to stay in Canada under what’s known as implied status. Alternatively, if you qualify for one of Canada’s immigration programs, you can also apply for permanent resident status.

Why Visitor Visas Get Refused

Visitor visa denials frequently occur due to a range of issues, including incomplete documentation, financial instability, criminal background, health concerns, unclear travel intentions, weak ties to the home country, past travel history problems, misrepresentation, overstaying records, or illegal status. 

Important Notes:

• Certain applicants may need to undergo a medical examination. This pertains to some individuals who intend to remain in Canada and have recently visited certain countries, as well as persons who intend to work in certain occupations in Canada.
•  Criminality and medical issues may prevent a visitor from entering Canada.
• Visitors to Canada must be able to prove their ability to support themselves during their intended temporary stay in Canada.
• Citizens of certain countries may need to provide biometric information.

Should you need assistance with your Temporary Resident Visa application, our team can provide guidance on your options, visa validity, potential extensions or changes, and exemptions. Understanding the terms of your visa, including its duration and permitted activities, is crucial. We’ll ensure you comprehend your obligations, including the importance of departing Canada on time if you don’t intend to extend your stay.