Temporary Resident Visa for Canada
A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is an official document affixed to a person's passport by a visa office, indicating their compliance with the requirements for temporary entry into Canada.
It's important to note that holding a TRV does not guarantee entry into Canada. The privilege of admitting foreign nationals as temporary residents is not an inherent right.
Eligibility Criteria for Temporary Resident Visas
To qualify for the application of Temporary Resident Visas for Canada, you must satisfy the following criteria:
- Your age should be at least 18 or 18+ to apply as the primary visa applicant.
- Should have a valid government-issued passport. It should have at least one blank page (excluding the last page).
- Translate and authenticate non-English or non-French documents.
- Have a clean criminal record, supported by relevant court documents.
- Be prepared to cover the necessary visa application and processing fees.
- Sign and date required documents as needed.
- Fill & sign a Visa Application Center (VAC) Consent Form.
- Should have adequate funds to support your living in Canada.
- Willingness to attend an interview or must provide biometric information.
- Undergo a medical examination if requested by the Canadian Consulate.
- Prove that your stay in Canada is temporary, with a plan to return home after your visit.
- Provide evidence that you do not intend to work or study in Canada.
- Depending on the type of TRV you're applying for, additional criteria may apply.
Who Needs to Apply for a TRP?
Foreign nationals are needed to apply for TRP in the following cases to enter Canada:
- Those convicted of a crime outside of Canada that would be considered an indictable offense punishable by a sentence of less than 10 years if committed in Canada.
- People who have been found guilty outside of Canada of a hybrid offence that carries a sentence of less than 10 years.
- Individuals convicted of two or more crimes outside Canada equivalent to two summary offenses in Canada.
- When evaluating a foreign criminal record, the key consideration is the equivalency of the offense in Canada, considering its nature and seriousness as per Canada's Criminal Code. Once equivalence is established, a path to addressing criminal inadmissibility can be identified.
Note: Offenses committed within Canada during a temporary stay, visitor visa, or work permit can lead to a finding of criminal inadmissibility, affecting your ability to remain a temporary visitor or obtain permanent residence.
Requirements for TRV Canada
Since this encompasses a category of visas rather than a single visa type, there are two sets of requirements applicants must meet to qualify:
1. General Visa Requirements
2. Visa-Specific Requirements
General Requirements
The standard Canada Visa Requirements apply to all Temporary Resident Visas, regardless of the purpose of your visit. For any Canada temporary resident visa application, you must submit the following forms:
- Form IMM 5257, Application for Temporary Resident.
- Form IMM 5707, Family Information Form.
Other forms may also be necessary based on your circumstances, such as:
- Form IMM 5409, Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union.
- Form IMM 5476, Use of a Representative.
- Form IMM 5475, Authority to release personal information to a designated individual.
Visa-Specific Requirements
In addition to meeting the general Canada Visa Requirements, there are specific criteria based on the purpose of your visit. These vary for each visa type within the category. Examples of such requirements include:
- For the Tourist Visa, you must provide an itinerary of planned destinations in Canada.
- For the Super Visa, you need an invitation letter from your child or grandchild and proof of relationship.
- For the Business Visa, you must demonstrate that you work for a company other than the one you're engaging with in Canada.
- For the Diplomatic Visa, official documents proving your governmental status and purpose of visit are required.
For more detailed information on visa-specific requirements, refer to our guide for the specific visa you're applying for. Meeting these requirements is crucial for obtaining the visa. If you don't meet all the criteria, you might need to submit additional evidence to convince the Canadian Consulate of your eligibility, or your application may be rejected.
Is a Temporary Resident Visa Required for Everyone Visiting Canada?
No, a Temporary Resident Visa is not required for individuals from visa-exempt countries. Instead, visa-exempt individuals flying to Canada need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before their flight. When traveling to Canada by land, a visa-exempt individual doesn't need either a TRV or an eTA.
If you are from another country, then you must apply for a Temporary Resident Visa before entering Canada to avoid being exempt.
