Temporary Resident Visa

A temporary resident visa is a document issued by a Canadian visa office showing the individual has met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident. This is required for people such as tourists, temporary foreign workers with a work permit, and international students with a study permit. The processing and collection fee for an individual is $100 (for single or multiple entry) and a maximum of $500 for a family. Applicants can submit an online application from anywhere in the world by making an account on the Government of Canada website. If applying outside of Canada by paper, they will be required to submit their application to the visa application centre (VAC) that is responsible for serving:

• The country in which the applicant as been lawfully admitted
• The applicant’s country of nationality, or if the applicant is stateless, their country of habitual residence

However, a TRV is not required if they are a citizen of a visa-exempt country. Instead, those citizens must apply and obtain an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) prior to their departure if they are planning to travel by air into Canada. It costs only $7CAD to apply for one.

Individuals who need a TRV do not need an eTA and vice versa. Refer to the chart below to find out which document you require.

eTA Application Process: Ensure you have your passport and a credit/debit card ready. Use the online form to apply, pay the $7 for your eTA after completing the form, and soon after you will receive an email about your application. Most applications are approved within minutes. If you are required to submit additional documents prior to application approval, they will be emailed to you with instructions within 72 hours.

Holding a TRV does not guarantee the visitor will be admitted entry to Canada. They must demonstrate at the port of entry that they will leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay and that their visit is only on a temporary basis. The Border Services Officer who examines the visitor at the port of entry determines the duration of the visit and generally will grant entry for six months even when the person may request entry for only a short period such as two weeks.

List of Countries that require either a TRV or an eTA: