Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)

Canada welcomes millions of temporary residents each year. With the exception of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, all other individuals require authorisation to enter Canada as visitors. Foreign nationals are issued a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) in order to reside lawfully in Canada for a short period.

Overview

Unless they are citizens of a visa-exempt country, individuals wishing to enter Canada for a temporary purpose, such as visitors, temporary foreign workers (those holding awork permit) and international students (those holding astudy permit), must apply for and be issued a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).

Citizens of visa-exempt countries intending to travel to Canada by air are required to apply for and obtain anElectronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)before departing for Canada. Exceptions include United States citizens, who need neither a TRV nor an eTA, and holders of a United States Green Card, who need an eTA to travel to Canada regardless of their nationality. Unless exempt from the TRV or eTA requirement, individuals who need a TRV will not need an eTA, and vice versa.

A TRV is a document issued by a Canadian immigration visa office located outside Canada, showing that the holder has met the requirements for admission to Canada as a visitor. A TRV may be for single or multiple entry. As a general rule, visitors are permitted to stay for a period of 6 months. Temporary foreign workers and international students are permitted to stay for varying periods, determined on a case-by-case basis. An application for an extension may be made from within Canada.

It is important to note that holding a valid TRV does not mean that an officer at a Canadian port of entry will admit the visitor to Canada. At the port of entry, all visitors must demonstrate that the purpose of their visit to Canada is temporary in nature. Port of entry officers will refuse admission to anyone who, in their opinion, does not intend to leave Canada when their visitor status expires.

Please note:

• Some applicants may be required to undergo amedical examination for entry to Canada. This applies to certain individuals who intend to stay in Canada and have recently visited particular countries, as well as those who intend to work in certain occupations in Canada.
• Bothcriminalandhealthissues may prevent a visitor from entering Canada.
• Visitors to Canada must be able to demonstrate that they can support themselves throughout their intended temporary stay in Canada.
• Citizens of certain countries may be required to providebiometric information.

Eligible countries

Citizens of certain countries may be eligible for an eTA if they meet all 3 of the following conditions. If not, they will have to apply for a TRV to travel to Canada.

To be eligible for an eTA, these travellers must:

• Have held a Canadian visitor visa (temporary resident visa) in the past 10 years, or currently hold a valid United States (U.S.) non-immigrant visa:
  • The U.S. non-immigrant visa must be valid on the date the individual submits their eTA application, but need not be valid when they arrive in Canada.
• Be travelling to Canada for a short visit, business activity or tourism (normally a stay of up to 6 months).
• Be travelling to Canada by air, or transiting through a Canadian airport on a valid passport from one of the eligible visa-required countries.

These conditional eligibility provisions for the eTA apply to citizens of the following (visa-required) countries:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Brazil
• Costa Rica
• Mexico
• Morocco
• Panama
• Philippines
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Seychelles
• Thailand
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Uruguay

TRV list by country

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is mandatory for citizens of certain countries. See the table below:

Read more about the TRV on the Government of Canada websitehere.