Important Information About Temporary Resident Visa
You must obtain a TRV before departing for Canada. It cannot be obtained upon arrival.
Holding a TRV does not guarantee entry to Canada. The admission of foreign nationals as temporary residents is a privilege, not a right.
ENTRY PROCEDURE
Visa-required foreign nationals must apply for a TRV if they wish to visit, work, or study in Canada. An immigration officer may issue a TRV to a foreign national who meets the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and is admissible to Canada. The TRV appears as a counterfoil document in the passport, and the expiry date indicates the last possible day for entry into Canada.
Upon Arrival: What to Expect
Upon arrival at a Canadian port of entry (POE), the individual must report to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The foreign national must prove to a CBSA officer that they hold a valid visa and will leave Canada by the end of their authorized stay.
Automated Ports of Entry
At automated POEs, passports may not always be stamped. If there is no stamp, the authorized stay is automatically six months unless otherwise specified. Foreign nationals can request a stamp if required.
Non-Automated Ports of Entry
At non-automated POEs, a CBSA officer will confirm the foreign national's identity, verify their travel documents, and ensure they meet all requirements. The officer will determine the duration of the visit, and a handwritten date below the stamp will indicate when the foreign national must leave Canada. Temporary resident status is granted at this point.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Document Requirements
When applying for a TRV, the following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) forms must be completed, signed, and dated:
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Application for Temporary Resident Visa (IMM 5257)
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Family Information (IMM 5707) (for those aged 18 or older)
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Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409) (if applicable)
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Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) (if using a representative)
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Authority to Release Personal Information (IMM 5475) (if authorizing release of information to someone other than the applicant)
In addition to these forms, applicants must pay the applicable processing and biometric collection fee and submit supporting documents, such as a valid passport.
For minors traveling alone, a letter of authorization from both parents or legal guardians, custody documents (if applicable), and proof of who will be responsible for the child upon arrival are required.
Proof of Funds / Financial Support
Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their dependents during their stay in Canada. This can be shown through:
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Cash, certified cheque, bank draft, or money order
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Written or verbal confirmation from family or friends that sufficient financial support is available
Medical Requirements for Foreign Nationals
Foreign nationals applying for a TRV or temporary resident status in Canada may need to undergo an Immigration Medical Exam (IME). An IME is required if the visit exceeds six months or if the individual will work in a setting where public health is a concern, such as healthcare, childcare, or agriculture.
Examples of required settings:
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Healthcare workers
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Medical students
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Patient attendants
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Workers in primary and secondary schools
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Domestic workers and caregivers
Fees: Temporary Resident Visa and Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Processing Fees (TRV applications before February 6, 2014):
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$75 for a single-entry visa
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$150 for a multiple-entry visa
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$400 maximum fee for a family (single or multiple entry)
Processing Fees (on or after February 6, 2014):
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$100 for single or multiple entry
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$500 maximum family rate
Work Permit Fees:
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$155 for individual applicants
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$465 maximum for a group of three or more performing artists and staff
Study Permit Fees:
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$150 per applicant
eTA Processing Fee:
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$7 (paid at the time of application)
Issuing a Single or Multiple-Entry Visa
As of February 6, 2014, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) promotes the issuance of long-term multiple-entry visas to facilitate legitimate travel to Canada. Eligible applicants will receive a multiple-entry visa unless a single-entry visa is warranted by special circumstances.
Work Permit Applicants under International Experience Canada (IEC)
IEC applicants must undergo an IME if they plan to work in a designated occupation or have traveled to specific countries for six months or more. Medical results must be submitted with the application, and delays in obtaining the IME can be accommodated by submitting proof of an appointment with an approved panel physician.
