A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) — commonly called a visitor visa — is an official document issued by a Canadian visa office (embassy, high commission, or consulate) that is placed in a passport and confirms that the holder has met the requirements for temporary entry to Canada as a visitor, student, or worker. It is required for nationals of countries that are neither visa-exempt nor eligible for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Without a TRV, a person from a visa-required country cannot board a flight to Canada or cross a Canadian land border.

The TRV is distinct from the authorized period of stay — a valid TRV allows the holder to travel to Canada and seek entry, but the period of stay is determined separately by the Border Services Officer at the Port of Entry (typically 6 months from the date of entry). For current TRV fees, processing times, and the document checklist, refer to the IRCC visitor visa page.

• Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), s 20 — the requirement for foreign nationals to hold a visa or authorization to enter Canada
• Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), s 179–187 — the requirements for temporary resident visas
• IMM 5257E — Application for a Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)
• IRCC: Visitor visa (temporary resident visa) — canada.ca/visitor-visa
• IRCC: How to apply for a visitor visa — canada.ca/apply-visitor-visa

Who needs a TRV

Canadian entry requirements divide travellers into three categories:

• Visa-exempt — citizens of certain countries (including the United States) do not need a TRV or eTA to enter Canada by land, air, or sea — they need only their passport
• eTA eligible — citizens of other countries (including the United Kingdom, most EU countries, Australia, Japan, and others) travelling to Canada by air need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which is an electronic record linked to their passport — not a physical document
• TRV required — citizens of all other countries need a physical Temporary Resident Visa before travelling to Canada — this includes India, China, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, and many others

The current list of visa-exempt and eTA-eligible countries is on the IRCC entry requirements by country page.

What a TRV grants — and what it does not

A TRV is a travel document — it allows the holder to present themselves at a Canadian Port of Entry and seek admission. Key distinctions:

• A valid TRV does not guarantee entry to Canada — the CBSA officer at the Port of Entry makes the final admissibility decision
• A valid TRV does not determine the length of stay — the authorized stay is stamped by the CBSA officer at entry (typically 6 months from the entry date, shown on a visitor record or passport stamp)
• A TRV valid for multiple entries and 10 years allows the holder to return to Canada multiple times within the visa's validity, but each entry is still subject to a new admissibility decision and a new authorized stay period

Single entry vs multiple entry TRV

A TRV may be issued as:

• Multiple entry — the most common type for eligible applicants; allows repeated entries to Canada within the visa's validity period
• Single entry — the holder can use the visa to enter Canada once; after leaving Canada, the TRV is spent and a new application is needed to return

The type of TRV issued is at the officer's discretion. Most regular visitors who demonstrate strong ties to their home country and a legitimate purpose for travel receive a multiple-entry TRV.

Genuine temporary resident assessment

The key question in a TRV assessment is whether the applicant is a genuine temporary resident — someone who will comply with the conditions of temporary status and leave Canada when their authorized stay expires. Officers assess:

• Purpose of visit: tourism, business, visiting family, medical treatment, or other legitimate temporary purpose
• Ties to home country: employment, property, family, financial assets — factors that create an incentive to return
• Financial capacity: sufficient funds to support themselves during the visit and to purchase a return ticket
• Travel history: a history of compliance with previous visitor conditions in Canada or other countries strengthens an application
• Immigration history: any prior refusals, overstays, or immigration violations in any country are relevant

Application process

TRV applications are submitted online through the IRCC Portal using Form IMM 5257E. The applicant must also:

• Provide biometrics if required (a separate biometric instruction letter is generated after the application)
• Undergo a medical examination if required (for stays over 6 months, or if visiting from certain countries)
• Pay the visa application fee — refer to the IRCC visitor visa page for current fee amounts

After submitting, the applicant may be required to submit their passport to a visa application centre (VAC) for the visa sticker to be placed in it upon approval.

TRV for students and workers

A TRV is also required for nationals of TRV-required countries who are entering Canada with a valid study permit or work permit — the study/work permit alone does not authorise entry for these nationals. A TRV (or "single journey temporary resident visa") is issued alongside the study or work permit. This is sometimes called a "co-issue" TRV.

Extending a stay or changing status from within Canada

A person who entered Canada with a TRV and wishes to extend their stay or change their status (to student or worker) must apply to IRCC from within Canada before their authorized stay expires. The TRV itself need not be valid for the extension application — it is the authorized stay period (stamped at entry) that controls lawful status inside Canada. For maintaining status while an application is pending, see the implied/maintained status page.

A common misunderstanding is that a 10-year multiple-entry TRV means the holder can stay in Canada for 10 years. It does not — it means the holder can travel to and seek entry to Canada for up to 10 years, with each entry typically granting a stay of up to 6 months. The authorized stay is determined at entry, not by the TRV validity. Overstaying the authorized stay makes the holder unlawful in Canada and can affect future visa applications. For current TRV fees, processing times, and the document checklist for different visa offices, refer to the IRCC application guide.