Temporary resident visa (TRV)
Overview
A temporary resident visa (TRV) is a document issued to foreign nationals of visa-required countries that authorises them to seek entry to Canada as a temporary resident. The TRV is placed in the holder's passport and does not by itself guarantee entry — a border services officer at the port of entry must still authorise admission.
Nationals of visa-exempt countries (such as the United States) do not need a TRV. Most other visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) instead of a TRV.
The TRV (where required) is needed for visits as a tourist, visitor, or family member, and also alongside a study permit or work permit for nationals of visa-required countries who are studying or working in Canada.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a TRV, the applicant must:
- Hold a valid passport from a visa-required country
- Demonstrate a genuine intention to come to Canada for a temporary purpose and to leave before their authorised period expires
- Have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay in Canada
- Not be inadmissible on grounds of health, character, security, or other grounds set out in IRPA
- Not have been previously refused a TRV without a material change in circumstances
The key test for a visitor TRV is whether the officer is satisfied that the applicant will leave Canada by the end of their authorised period. Officers consider ties to the home country, immigration history, purpose of visit, and financial circumstances.
Selection criteria
TRV applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. There is no points test. Key factors:
- Bona fide temporary resident test (IRPA s.22) — the officer must be satisfied the applicant will leave Canada at the end of the authorised period
- Admissibility — the applicant must not be inadmissible under IRPA ss.34–42
- Purpose of visit — tourism, visiting family, attending a conference or business meeting (not working); the purpose must be consistent with temporary visitor status
- Financial means — sufficient funds without the need to work in Canada
- Immigration history — prior refusals, overstays, or misrepresentation are negative factors
Application process
- Apply online through the IRCC portal (or through a visa application centre (VAC) if required for the applicant's nationality).
- Provide: passport, travel history, financial evidence, purpose of visit documentation, family ties evidence, and any other documents requested.
- Provide biometrics at a designated collection site if required (most nationalities).
- The visa officer assesses the application and either approves (affixes the TRV sticker to the passport or issues an eTA equivalent) or refuses.
- On arriving in Canada, a border services officer determines the period of stay and may impose conditions.
Related programs
Notes
The TRV itself (which may be valid for up to 10 years) does not determine how long the holder may stay in Canada. The period of stay is determined at the port of entry by the border services officer, who stamps the passport with the authorised period (typically up to 6 months). The two are distinct: a long-validity multiple-entry TRV merely allows repeated entries; the officer decides how long the holder may stay on each visit.
Nationals of certain countries who hold a valid US visa may be eligible for a TRV on a single-entry basis without the usual full documentation requirements (under special measures in place for US visa holders transiting Canada).
A TRV issued alongside a study permit or work permit is typically a single-entry or dual-entry TRV specific to the permit, rather than a general multiple-entry tourist TRV.