Canada welcomes millions of temporary residents every year. Unless someone is a permanent inhabitant, a Canadian citizen, or from a visa-exempt country, any individual seeking to enter Canada must apply for a temporary resident visa.
A temporary purpose includes temporary foreign workers, tourists, & international students. A temporary resident visa is issued by the Canadian Immigration Visa Office, representing that the holder has fulfilled the requirements for admission to the country as a visitor.
Moreover, it is vital to note that a temporary resident visa doesn’t guarantee entry to Canada, nor does it grant temporary resident status in Canada.
What Are Temporary Resident Visa Requirements?
An applicant for a temporary resident visa consists of IRCC forms. In addition to these forms, candidates should also:
- Pay the biometric collection & processing fee
- Submit the required supporting documents to accompany the application
The required documents are:
- Photo of your passport
- Evidence of financial support
- Photocopy of travel itinerary or return ticket
The vital documents required can differ depending on the country/ region you are in.
How Long Is The TRV Valid For?
If no stamp/ date/ document in your passport shows an expiry date, then your status as a temporary inhabitant will expire within six months from the day you came to Canada.
Multiple Entry Visa v/s Single Entry Visa
The multiple entry visa allows the holder to arrive in Canada from any country during the visa’s validity period. It is issued with long-term validity to facilitate entry to Canada for legitimate travelers. This is the standard type of temporary resident visa.
Multiple entry visas are valid for 10 years/ one month before the date of expiry on the travel document.
On the contrary, a single entry visa is when a candidate participates in a one-time special event in Canada for a short period. Since the standard is the multiple entry visa, any single entry visa issuance needs the officer to provide an explanation for it.
How Can You Extend Your Stay?
You can apply online or utilize a paper application to extend your stay. However, it is recommended to apply for your extended stay at least 30 days before your status expires.
Moreover, suppose your temporary resident status expires after you submit the extension application. In that case, you might remain in Canada under the maintained status, which lasts until a decision is made on your application.
Can You Study In Canada On A Temporary Resident Visa?
In general, international students need a study permit to pursue an educational program in Canada. However, if your program in Canada is less than six months, then you do not need a study permit.
Moreover, if you’d like to pursue a program that is longer than six months duration, you will need to apply to a DLI in Canada. Once you are admitted to the program, you’ll have to apply for a study permit.
Can You Work In Canada On A TRV?
As a rule, a foreign individual must obtain a work permit to work in Canada.
You can apply for a work permit if you have a valid temporary resident status. Moreover, you will likely have to extend your stay in the nation while you wait for a decision on the work permit application. In simpler terms, you might be in Canada under the maintained status as you wait for the decision to arrive on your application.
Can My Spouse Come On A TRV If I Am Sponsoring Them?
Family members or spouses from visa-required nations who have submitted family class permanent residency applications can apply for a TRV to join their sponsor in Canada.
IRCC’s new approach towards spousal TRV applications has led to approvals of more than 98% of applications for spouses & children so that they can be with their families while they await PR application processing. In addition, IRCC says that processing times for spousal TRVs will be 30 days.
Can I Enter Canada With A TRV & Ultimately Apply For PR?
Dual Intent is when a foreign international has applied/ might apply for PR in Canada & also applies to enter Canada temporarily as a worker, visitor, or student.
Having a dual intent is legitimate. However, the possibility that you might be approved for PR at some point does not remove the obligation to meet the temporary resident requirements, specifically the requirement to leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay.