A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is a document permitting lawful entry to Canada for those who are otherwise inadmissible.
A person may be refused entry to Canada for various reasons, and the Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) covers 2 groups: those inadmissible on criminal grounds and those inadmissible on medical grounds.
A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) may be used in situations where the person entering has a legitimate reason to enter the country, and the benefits of their entry outweigh any risk to Canadian society.
Contents
What is a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)?
A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) may be issued to individuals refused entry to Canada on medical or criminal grounds, allowing them to enter or remain in the country where justified by exceptional circumstances.
Driving while impaired may also be a criminal offence. Read the detailed article onDriving under the influence (DUI) in Canada.
A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) permits lawful entry to Canada for a specified period and may be applied for at any time. Unlikecriminal rehabilitation, a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) does not depend on a particular period relating to the completion of a sentence, meaning an individual may be issued a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) while still serving part of a sentence, in certain cases.
A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is issued for a period of stay in Canada (up to 3 years) and may be extended from within Canada.
Considering a residency programme? The Prosperous Living Investment team assesses your profile free of charge and advises on the pathway that fits your goals.
Is a temporary resident permit the same as a visitor visa?
A visitor visa, also known as aTemporary Resident Visa (TRV), differs from a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP).
A temporary resident visa (TRV) is a document showing that a person meets the requirements to enter Canada temporarily, and it may be issued to visitors, international students or workers. Most visitors may remain for up to 6 months on a temporary resident visa (TRV). A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), by contrast, is used only for those treated as inadmissible to Canada.
Who is issued a TRP
Where a US citizen or permanent resident is charged with or convicted of an offence, such as a DUI or theft, the details of the offence are added to the FBI’s criminal history database.
An agreement between the United States and Canada allows border officers at crossings on both sides to access these databases to check travellers as they attempt to enter.
A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) may be a useful temporary remedy for individuals currently refused entry to Canada on criminal grounds. Where a person has previously been refused entry, believes they are inadmissible, or is not currently eligible to apply for criminal rehabilitation, a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) may be convenient for an upcoming trip. The permit may be valid for a stay of up to 3 years, depending on the importance of their trip.
The application process can be quite complex, as the Government of Canada must ensure the safety of its citizens. Individuals intending to enter for recreational purposes are often refused for lack of a legitimate reason for entry to take priority over inadmissibility. There are therefore strict application guidelines applicants must follow to ensure their application is as compelling as possible.
The TRP application process
To apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), a person needs to submit an application with supporting documents explaining the reasons for being treated as criminally inadmissible and why their entry to Canada may be regarded as justified.
Once a person or their immigration lawyer has prepared all the Canadian immigration documents needed to apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), they must submit the application to the Government of Canada for review.
US citizens, or those with permanent resident status in the United States, may apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) at a Canadian consulate or at any port of entry (land, sea or air).
The Canadian consulate
Although applying for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) through a Canadian consulate involves a longer processing time (3–6 months), it is regarded as the best approach for a foreign national submitting a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) application to the Canadian immigration authorities.
This is because the decision is made by an experienced immigration officer who understands the various reasons a person’s visit may be regarded as justified. It is also the best approach because it removes all uncertainty. A person knows before travelling whether they will be allowed into the country.
Where a person decides to apply at a port of entry rather than at a Canadian consulate, they may be refused entry, meaning they will have to return to their point of departure, whether by land, sea or air.
See thelist of Canadian consulates.
Ports of entry
A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) application may be made at any port of entry. These applications are processed immediately at airports, land border crossings or sea entry points — essentially, anywhere a passport is required to enter the country.
A Canadian immigration visa officer weighs the inadmissible person’s need to enter Canada against the health and security risks to the Canadian population. The applicant must be able to demonstrate that their entry to Canada is justified.
The main advantage of applying at a port of entry is the speed with which a person can obtain a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), which may be issued within minutes.
The main disadvantage of using a port of entry to apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), as discussed above, is uncertainty. A person does not know whether their application will be approved or refused by the immigration officer handling their case until it happens.
If refused, they will not be permitted to enter Canada until they obtain approval from a Canadian consulate. Although a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) submitted at a Canadian consulate is not guaranteed, it has the advantage of being reviewed thoroughly by experienced officers specialising in this area.
Note: where a person is a citizen of a visa-exempt country, they will need to apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) according to the guidance set out for their particular country, as the application form may differ and they may not be eligible to apply at a port of entry.
TRP application fees
A fee of CAD 239.75 applies to each Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) application submitted.
Find out more about the Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) on the Government of Canada website athere.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
No — as a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) holder, they are permitted to enter Canada only as a temporary visitor.Work permitsorstudy permit, orTemporary Resident Visa (TRV)is not the same as a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP).
A temporary resident visa (TRV) is recorded as a visa, a study permit or a work permit. A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is issued only where the applicant is treated as inadmissible to Canada, and at the discretion of the officer assessing the application.
Both a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) application and aCriminal rehabilitationapplication may be submitted without legal representation. A Canadian immigration lawyer can nonetheless be a valuable source of support where an individual is seeking to enter Canada with a criminal history, and is all the more helpful in preparing applications for future entries.
Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) applications can be difficult to understand, both for the applicant and for the immigration officer. Eligible applications are sometimes refused where the applicant fails to provide the information requested or to explain their situation clearly to the assessing officer.
The purpose of a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) application is to argue that the individual needs to enter Canada and poses no risk to Canadians. An experienced lawyer can help in preparing that argument.
Where a person has a significant reason to come to Canada but believes they are refused entry on criminal grounds, they may be eligible to apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP). A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) may be used only for lawful entry as an international student, foreign worker or visitor, and cannot be used for any Canadian permanent immigration process such as an Application for Permanent Residence (APR).
Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) applications are currently processed in around 3–6 months at Canadian consulates. US citizens may have a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) application processed immediately by an immigration officer at a Canadian port of entry.
The Government of Canada charges a processing fee of CAD 229.77, whether the application is processed at a Canadian consulate or at a port of entry.
There are two types of Temporary Resident Permit (TRP): single-entry and multiple-entry permits. A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) may be issued for the duration of a single stay or for up to 3 years, depending on the reason for entering Canada and the time needed in the country. Applicants who can demonstrate regular travel to Canada are more likely to receive a permit of longer duration.
Yes — the Government of Canada requires federal and state background checks where a person is a US citizen applying for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP). They must submit both an FBI background certificate and a police certificate from each state in which they have resided for 6 months or more.
A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) application may be submitted without legal representation. A Canadian immigration lawyer can nonetheless be a valuable source of support where an individual is seeking to enter Canada with a criminal history, and is all the more helpful in preparing applications for future entries. The purpose of a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) application is to argue that the individual needs to enter Canada and poses no risk to Canadians. An experienced lawyer can help in preparing that argument.
Before applying, a person should ensure their passport has sufficient validity remaining to cover the permit period requested in the Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) application, and the period they wish to remain in Canada if the application is approved. A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) can be issued only for a period falling within the validity of their passport.
Where a person’s stay in Canada is longer than originally planned and they need to extend their Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), they may do so by submitting the “Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Visitor or Temporary Resident Permit Holder”. If the extension request is approved, they are issued a new/subsequent Temporary Resident Permit (TRP).
Accompanying you on your journey in residency investment
The Prosperous Living Investment team advises on pathways, assesses profiles and manages investments transparently for every residency, citizenship and international property objective.
Free profile assessmentWhere life gets prosperous