Home Visas and Immigration IMPORTANT INFORMATION Temporary Resident Visa Information

Temporary Resident Visa Information

Temporary Resident Visa Information

General Information for Temporary Residents  
How to Apply  
Special Country Requirements  
Documents Required to Apply for a Temporary Resident Visa  
Children and Travel  
Citizens and Permanent Residents of the USA  

General Information for Temporary Residents

Persons who are not citizens of Canada, or permanent residents of Canada, may require a visa before travelling to Canada. You will need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to travel to Canada if you are from one of these countries.

All persons authorized to enter Canada who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents are authorized to enter as temporary residents. When a person enters Canada they are given temporary resident status for a limited period of time. After you arrive in Canada, the officer authorizes your stay by placing a stamp in your passport. Your temporary resident status will generally expire 6 months from the day you arrived in Canada (2 days for transit visas), unless otherwise indicated by a handwritten date or other document issued to you at the time of entry.

There are 3 different types of Temporary Resident Visas:

• Single Entry: With a single entry visa you may leave and re-enter Canada without obtaining a new visa only if: you are returning to Canada following a visit only to the United States or St-Pierre and Miquelon; and you return before the expiry of the period initially authorized for your entry. (For example, if after your initial entry to Canada, you left Canada and entered the USA, then proceeded to visit Mexico, your single entry visa would no longer be valid for re-entry to Canada.) Please ensure that your immigration status for Canada and the U.S.A. are still valid before travelling since the officers at the port of entry will need to see both.
• Multiple Entry: With a multiple entry visa you may leave and re-enter Canada multiple times within the validity of the visa, regardless of other countries you may have visited since your initial entry to Canada.
• Transit: A transit visa is required for travel through Canada to another country by those persons who need a temporary resident visa and whose flight will stop in Canada for less than 48 hours. When you apply for a transit visa you must provide specific evidence of your travel arrangements, i.e. airline tickets or itinerary showing transit through Canada for less than 48 hours. There is no fee required to apply for a transit visa. NOTE: A transit visa may not be used for tourism purposes, i.e. cruise ship docking at a Canadian port for one day.

How to Apply

Applications may be submitted in person at this office only during designated hours. Only applications submitted within the designated hours Monday to Thursday may be processed on the same day. However, if further documents are required, or if special checks must be requested (see the heading below Special Country Requirements), the processing may take several weeks. Apply well in advance of your planned travel.

Applications received by mail, will normally be processed within 10 working days. However, if further documents are required, or if special checks must be requested (see the heading below Special Country Requirements), the processing may take several weeks. Apply well in advance of your planned travel. Remember to include a pre-paid self-addressed envelope for mailing back of your passport and documents, otherwise they will be sent back by regular mail. (Courier slips must be billed to an account number, we will not use any courier service where the charges are billed to a credit card.) The Canadian Consulate does not assume responsibility for lost passports or documents.

All applicants for Temporary Resident Visas must show that they have the means to support themselves during their visit, and to leave Canada at the end of their visit. Temporary Resident Visa applicants must show ties to their country of residence sufficient to satisfy the visa officer that they intend to return there. The burden of proof rests with the applicant. Applicants who cannot satisfy an immigration officer will be refused.

Special Country Requirements

Applications for visas from citizens and nationals of certain countries require longer processing times. Please review the lists below to determine if your application will take longer to process and if there is a required questionnaire that must be submitted with your application. Failure to include the required questionnaire with your application will result in further processing delays.

**Click on the country name for the required questionnaire**

• Application Form: Complete the form Application for a Temporary Resident Visa [IMM5257].  The application form may also be obtained using the Fax Back Service. 
  (Citizens of certain countries are required to submit the application form in duplicate.)
  Provide a written answer to all questions on the form, do not leave any questions blank.
• Required Questionnaire: Please see the heading Special Country Requirements.
• Photos: Two recent passport size photographs for each applicant.
• Processing Fee: Click here for the Fee Schedule. 
  Processing fees are non-refundable.
• Passport or Travel Document: Original, valid and subsisting passport or travel document. Must be valid for at least 3 months from your date of travel to Canada. The passport must have at least one completely blank 'visa' page which has no marks or stamps on it. (Visas cannot be issued beyond the validity of the passport.)
• Proof of Lawful Admission to the USA: Documents issued by the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) showing your valid immigration status. For example: U.S. entry visa and I-94 Entry/ Departure Card; I-20 (F or M category visas); DS-2019 (J category visa); I-797A Approval Notice for any change or extension of status; I-512 Advanced Parole Travel Document.
• Proof of funds: Proof of funds available to support your travel to Canada, i.e. recent bank statements, traveller’s cheques.
  If your travel is being supported by a relative in Canada or the USA, provide proof of their funds and employment income, i.e. their bank statements, proof of their employment or income (income tax records: T-4/ Notice of Assessment or W-2) etc...
• Proof of Employment: This may include: a letter from your employer including details of your position, date of hire, rate of pay, approval of leave; current pay-stubs, etc…
  If you are travelling on business, the letter from your employer or company should include complete details regarding the purpose of travel to Canada including names and addresses of any companies you will visit.
  If you are self-employed, provide a copy of your business registration and corporate tax return.
• Students: A letter from your school registrar's office confirming your current enrolment.
  F and M visa holders in the USA: I-20 form must be currently endorsed by the school officials.
• Invitation from Host in Canada: Invitation letter accompanied by proof of the host’s legal immigration status in Canada. If applicable, the host should include proof of their ability to financially support the visit, i.e. proof of funds and employment income (T-4/ NOA). Click here to view a sample invitation letter.
• Travel Plans: Itinerary showing destination and intended duration of visit. **Required for Transit Visa applications.**
• Refugee Travel Document Holders (I-571): In addition to the above, you should also submit:
  ○ Completed Temporary Resident Supplementary Information questionnaire;
  ○ U.S. Tax return including W-2 forms for the most recent tax year.
• B1/B2 visitors: In addition to the above, you should also submit:
  ○ Completed Temporary Resident Supplementary Information questionnaire;
  ○ Documents supporting the reason for your travel to the USA. For example, a copy of your friend/ relative's status in the USA, i.e. passport or citizenship certificate, permanent resident card (greencard), or other visa status. Or, if you are in the USA for business purposes, copies of invitation letters from businesses in the USA or other documents supporting your business relationship.
  ○ You may be asked to present proof of ties to your country of habitual residence including proof of personal financial history, employment history, recent business activity etc…
• Certified Translations:  All documents in languages other than English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation.
• Minors: See heading below Children and Travel.
• Self-Addressed Return Envelope: For applications submitted by mail or on Fridays, remember to include a pre-paid self-addressed envelope for mailing back of your passport and documents, otherwise they will be sent back by regular mail. Courier slips must be billed to an account number, we will not use any courier service where the charges are billed to a credit card.

What documents should be carried by a child travelling alone or by a parent or guardian travelling with a child?

Foreign officials and transportation companies are vigilant concerning documentation for children crossing international borders. Make sure you carry the proper identification for yourself and any children travelling with you. Generally, persons younger than 16 years of age could be considered children. When minors are travelling, a consent document or letter should be carried to prove that the child has the permission of the absent parent(s) or legal guardian to travel. It is strongly recommended that each child have proper identification in the form of a valid passport. For citizens of the USA proper identification in addition to a passport could include: original birth certificate issued by the State (copies and hospital certificates and copies are not acceptable); or citizenship/ naturalization certificate.  In addition, we reccommend:

• Minors travelling without both of their parents require a letter of permission from the non-accompanying parent. This document should be specific to each trip and should include contact information for the parent(s) or guardian. If the child is the subject of a custody order*, proof of custody and the other parent’s consent must also be provided.
  Click here to view a sample consent letter.  
• Minors travelling alone also require a letter from their custodian in Canada.
  Click here to view a sample custodian letter.  
• If a legal guardian is accompanying the child, then a copy of the court order granting guardianship would also be required.
• If one parent has died, a certified copy of the death certificate should also be carried. 
• A child who is included in a parent's passport may only travel to Canada in the company of that parent (along with consent from the non-accompanying parent). A child who is included in a parent's passport who intends to travel to Canada without that parent must obtain his or her own passport.

custody order* A consent document would be required even if the separation or divorce documents award custody of the child to the accompanying parent, but the non-custodial parent has legal access or visiting rights to the child. A copy of any separation, divorce or custody decree might be requested.

Citizens and Permanent Residents of the USA

If you are either a Citizen or a Permanent Resident of the United States, you do not require a passport or visa to enter Canada. However, you will be required to show proof of your identity as well as proof of your citizenship or permanent resident status.

• Citizens of the USA: You must travel with government issued photo identification to establish your identity, such as: a valid driver's license or State I.D. card; and documents to establish your citizenship, such as: a valid U.S. passport, an original birth certificate issued by the State (copies and hospital certificates and copies are not acceptable); Citizenship/ Naturalization Certificate.
  NOTE: The following are not considered proof of citizenship: Voter registration cards; Army discharge papers.
• Permanent Residents of the USA: You must travel with proof of your Permanent Resident status, such as: your valid original I-551 Permanent Resident Card/ Alien Resident Card/ "Greencard"; valid I-551 "Temporary Evidence of Permanent Resident Status" endorsement in your passport; or valid I-327 Permit to Re-Enter the United States. (Generally these documents mentioned will satisfy both requirements to establish your identity and your Permanent Resident status. However, if a clear identification cannot be made from the photograph on your document, i.e. if your photograph was taken when you were a child, you are strongly encouraged to obtain a new document from the USCIS before travelling.)

Although it is rare, Immigration Officials may prevent the entry of visitors:

• who appear to pose a health risk to the Canadian public;
• whom they doubt will be able to support themselves and their dependants while visiting Canada; 
• whose willingness and means to leave Canada is in doubt.

Those admissible to Canada must not have a criminal record. (This includes convictions for driving while intoxicated.) If you have been convicted of an offence, you may be Criminally Inadmissible.