Section 24 — Temporary resident permit
Text of provision
(1) A foreign national who, in the opinion of an officer, is inadmissible or does not meet the requirements of this Act becomes a temporary resident if an officer is of the opinion that it is justified in the circumstances and issues a temporary resident permit, which may be cancelled at any time.
(2) A foreign national referred to in subsection (1) to whom an officer issues a temporary resident permit outside Canada does not become a temporary resident until they have been examined upon arrival in Canada.
(3) In applying subsection (1), the officer shall act in accordance with any instructions that the Minister may make.
(3.1) A foreign national whose claim for refugee protection has been determined to be ineligible to be referred to the Refugee Protection Division may not request a temporary resident permit if they have made an application for protection to the Minister that is pending.
(4) A foreign national whose claim for refugee protection has not been allowed may not request a temporary resident permit if less than 12 months have passed since
(a) the day on which their claim was rejected or determined to be withdrawn or abandoned by the Refugee Protection Division, in the case where no appeal was made and no application was made to the Federal Court for leave to commence an application for judicial review; or
(b) in any other case, the latest of
(i) the day on which their claim was rejected or determined to be withdrawn or abandoned by the Refugee Protection Division or, if there was more than one such rejection or determination, the day on which the last one occurred,
(ii) the day on which their claim was rejected or determined to be withdrawn or abandoned by the Refugee Appeal Division or, if there was more than one such rejection or determination, the day on which the last one occurred, and
(iii) the day on which the Federal Court refused their application for leave to commence an application for judicial review, or denied their application for judicial review, with respect to their claim.
(5) A designated foreign national may not request a temporary resident permit
(a) if they have made a claim for refugee protection but have not made an application for protection, until five years after the day on which a final determination in respect of the claim is made;
(b) if they have made an application for protection, until five years after the day on which a final determination in respect of the application is made; or
(c) in any other case, until five years after the day on which the foreign national becomes a designated foreign national.
(6) The processing of a request for a temporary resident permit of a foreign national who, after the request is made, becomes a designated foreign national is suspended
(a) if the foreign national has made a claim for refugee protection but has not made an application for protection, until five years after the day on which a final determination in respect of the claim is made;
(b) if the foreign national has made an application for protection, until five years after the day on which a final determination in respect of the application is made; or
(c) in any other case, until five years after the day on which the foreign national becomes a designated foreign national.
(7) The officer may refuse to consider a request for a temporary resident permit if
(a) the designated foreign national fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with any condition imposed on them under subsection 58(4) or section 58.1 or any requirement imposed on them under section 98.1; and
(b) less than 12 months have passed since the end of the applicable period referred to in subsection (5) or (6).
Plain English
A temporary resident permit (TRP) is a discretionary document that allows an otherwise inadmissible or non-compliant foreign national to enter or remain in Canada temporarily. It is an exceptional measure — not an alternative to the normal immigration process.
Section 24(1) requires the officer to be satisfied that the circumstances justify the issuance of the TRP. The officer weighs the reasons why the person needs to enter Canada against the risks to Canadian society posed by the inadmissibility.
Section 24(4) provides that a TRP may be cancelled at any time and the holder may be required to leave Canada.
Practical effect
TRPs are used in a variety of situations, including: persons with a criminal conviction who need to enter Canada for a business meeting, wedding, or other time-sensitive purpose; persons who failed to obtain a required visa but have compelling compassionate circumstances; and persons who are otherwise non-compliant with IRPA but whose removal would cause undue hardship.
A TRP issued for less than three years does not count towards permanent residence pathways. A TRP of five or more years may, in limited circumstances, lead to permanent residence under the TRP holder pathway.