A TRV allows you to enter Canada as a visitor and may be single or multiple entry. It is valid for up to six months after you first use it and before its written expiration date. Please be cautious about booking travel plans until you receive your TRV. IRCC processing times can be unpredictable.
If you are traveling to Canada from a visa-required country, you must obtain a Temporary Resident Visa before you can enter the country. A TRV is a travel document placed in your passport, authorizing you to enter Canada as a visitor. The type of TRV you need depends on your citizenship and what kind of activities you want to do in the country.
You may apply for a TRV by creating an IRCC secure account and following the instructions, or you may submit a paper application. In either case, you must send the original passport with your TRV application to IRCC in Ottawa. Please refer to the IRCC website for detailed and up-to-date TRV Canada application instructions.
A TRV can be single or multiple entry, and it is valid for a specific period of time. If you need a TRV, we recommend applying for it at least two months before your trip to Canada. This will give you enough time to receive the visa before your departure date.
If your TRV expires while you are in Canada, you can re-apply for a new one from inside the country, as long as you have legal visitor status. Eastman Law Office can help you prepare a complete and accurate TRV Canada application that exceeds the minimum requirements set by CIC.
What is a Temporary Resident Visa?
A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is a document that grants permission to travel to Canada, for the purpose of studying, working or visiting. The visa is not a permit to remain in the country and is only valid for entry at the Canadian border. You need a study or work permit if you want to stay longer than your TRV authorizes.
Those seeking to enter Canada as tourists, temporary workers, or international students will need a TRV unless they are from a visa-exempt country. When a person applies at a port of entry, a Canada Border Services Agency officer will determine whether they meet all the entry requirements. The officer will stamp or otherwise mark their passport to indicate their admission status.
The application process requires applicants to provide evidence of their identity, a clear photograph and some other information such as family ties, financial support and a personal statement. The applicant must also show that they have a legitimate reason for travel to Canada and that they will leave the country at the end of their authorized stay.
Applying for a TRV well before you intend to travel to Canada is important because processing times can take a while. It is also recommended that you make your applications for a TRV through a consulate, as these offices typically have more resources to assist you and the process can be expedited.