Temporary resident Visa

You may need a visa to enter Canada, depending on your country of citizenship.

A Temporary Resident Programs allow you to legally visit friends and relatives in Canada and undertake limited business operations as a business guest.

Foreign nationals from certain countries may not need a Temporary Resident Visa to enter Canada, but they may need an Electronic Travel Authorization before travelling there. All other foreign nationals must get a Temporary Resident Visa before entering Canada. Depending on their country of origin, spouses and dependents of persons temporarily residing in Canada may also be required to get a Temporary Resident Visa.

A Work Permit is required for foreign nationals who aspire to work in Canada. If the foreign nationals want to travel in and out of Canada, they may need a Temporary Resident Visa. The requirement for obtaining a Temporary Resident Visa will vary depending on the country of origin of the foreign individual.

If a foreign individual already in Canada on a Temporary Resident Visa wishes to work, they must first obtain a Work Permit from a Canadian Consulate, Embassy, or High Commission in their home country.

Temporary Resident Visas: What Are They and How Do They Work?

There are three types of Temporary Resident Visas: Single Entry Visa – which allows the foreign national to enter Canada only once; Multiple Entry Visa – which allows the foreign national to enter Canada multiple times; and Multiple Entry Visa – which allows the foreign national to enter Canada multiple times.

Multiple Admission Visa gives a foreign national unrestricted entry into Canada while the visa is valid, and Transit Visa permits foreign nationals who are travelling and will be in Canada for less than forty-eight (48) hours but whose place of origin requires a visa to enter Canada.

Supervisa

A family reunion is a crucial component of society. This type of visitor visa was introduced by Canadian immigration for the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. This visa category allows for a maximum stay of two years with the option of an extension. A supporting letter (invitation to Canada letter) must be provided by the sponsoring child or grandchild and a pledge of financial support for the duration of the stay. Proof of medical insurance bought from a Canadian insurance provider is required for admission.

Temporary resident permit

Admissibility to Canada is Canada’s key criterion for granting a travel permit. If you are inadmissible to Canada, a Temporary Resident Permit may allow you to temporarily overcome your status if you can show a valid and compelling reason for your presence.

The visa office can award a Temporary Resident Permit, historically known as a “minister’s permit.”

This permit is only provided in specific circumstances, such as

  • when you are ineligible or barred from entering Canada but can persuade the visa officer that you have a valid and justified cause to visit.
  • If you are currently in Canada and do not qualify for another programme, it may also be provided.

Please remember that TRP is only considered in extreme cases and is equivalent to humanitarian and compassionate applications.

TRPs are typically issued for a set amount of time. However, they can be extended up to three years in some situations.

TRPs usually allow only one entrance and become invalid once you leave Canada. You’ll need to apply for a new TRP if you need to re-enter Canada and are still ineligible.

An officer may approve a multiple entry TRP at any time, and it is valid for the duration specified on the TRP or until terminated by an authorized decision-maker.

The visa officer may consider providing a work or study permit if the TRP is valid for at least 6 months.

TRP holders must meet the following criteria:

Work or Study: TRP holders cannot work or study in Canada unless they have been granted the appropriate permits.

Exiting Canada: Like holders of any other Canadian permission, TRP holders must leave Canada before the permit expires or apply for a new TRP to keep their temporary status in Canada.

TRP Cancellation: If your TRP is revoked, you must leave Canada immediately or face deportation.

However, before your TRP is cancelled, you will receive a letter stating the reasons for the termination and an opportunity to comment and resolve the issues stated.