Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)
Statutory definition
Section 24(1) of the IRPA provides that an officer may, subject to any regulations, issue a Temporary Resident Permit — authorising a foreign national to enter or remain in Canada — if the officer is of the opinion that it is justified in the circumstances. TRPs may be issued for up to 3 years. Holders of a TRP may apply for permanent residence after 3 years of TRP status (IRPA s 25.2 pathway).
Explanation
A TRP is granted on a case-by-case basis where the reason for the person's visit or stay outweighs the risk of allowing entry. Common TRP scenarios: an inadmissible person with urgent family circumstances in Canada; a person who overstayed previously but has compelling ties; a businessman with a criminal conviction who needs to attend a conference. A TRP is temporary — it does not remove the underlying inadmissibility. Criminal Rehabilitation is the permanent solution for criminal inadmissibility.