How to Apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) in Canada?

There are millions of visitors welcomed in Canada every year for tourism, family visits, and business. A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is a must if you wish to enter Canada. We have compiled this guide for your ease in order to understand how to apply for a TRV in Canada. You will find the requirements and the way to apply in this guide.

Why Do You Need a TRV?

“Can you enter Canada without a Temporary Resident Visa?” This is the common question many wonder about. According to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), if you are a national of any country that is on the list of visa requirements before entry to Canada, you must apply for a TRV before entering Canada. If you do not comply with the requirements, you are not eligible to enter by the airlines and Canadian Border Officers. Make sure that you have a TRV before planning to travel if your passport is from a Visa-Required Country. If not, you can easily get an eTA and enter Canada.

Canadian Law on TRV Applications

Under the IRPA s. 11(1), it is mandatory for every foreign national to apply for a TRV before entering Canada. It is important for the applicants to prove that they have business in the country. They can be a necessity to visit in terms of both formal and informal nature. They must leave the country once they are done with their respective business.

How to Apply for a Temporary Resident Visa in Canada

We have discussed an easy-to-follow and step-by-step approach on how to apply for TRV Canada.

Determine Your Eligibility

The necessary authorization to either apply for an eTA or TRV must be confirmed. The citizens from Visa-Exempt countries only need an eTA, while citizens from Visa-Required countries need a TRV.

Gather the Required Documents

You need the following documents to apply

• Valid passport (with blank pages).
• Application form IMM 5257 (completed online).
• Recent photos that meet IRCC specifications.
• Proof of financial support (bank statements, employment letter, etc.).
• Travel itinerary (flight bookings, hotel reservations).
• Invitation letter (if visiting family or attending business events).
• Proof of ties to home country (job, property, family).

Apply either online or through a Visa Application Centre (VAC)

The IRCC online portal is accessible to most applicants to create an account, pay the fee, and upload the relevant documents. You also need to visit the Visa Application Centre once your application progresses on VAC for form submissions and biometric collection.

Pay the Application Fee

The Canada TRV fee is currently CAD $100 per person. There is an additional cost of CAD $85 for Biometrics.

Provide Biometrics

Visiting a Visa Application Centre and providing biometrics is necessary, along with a recent photo, captured as per the requirements.

Wait for Processing

Canada processing time varies with respect to the country you are applying from. You can confirm the required time for you from the official IRCC website for an up-to-date timeline.

Submit your Passport for Visa Stamping

IRCC will request for passport submission in case you get a prompt for visa stamping. The TRV allows you to visit Canada once your visa is sanctioned and stamped.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for a TRV

Make sure you have all the necessary documents before applying for a TRV. You might encounter application refusal due to avoidable errors if your application lacks coherence with the respective requirements. Make sure all your forms are complete with authentic and verifiable information. Check out the FAQs to gain more insights.

Make sure there are no missing documents in your application. Show strong ties to the home country. This will lead the officers to comply, as you are showing proof that you will not overstay. Overstaying is a huge crime and is highly discouraged to maintain not just your legal integrity but that of your passport and home country, too.

Your visa will not be approved in case you have insufficient funds. Make sure you apply early enough, as the procedure may take several weeks and in some cases even months. Please be extremely mindful, as false information may not only result in refusal but also a permanent ban from traveling to Canada.

TRV Applications Made Simple

A TRV in Canada is a must for nationals of visa-required countries, as already discussed above in detail. Through this guide, you can now enjoy a smooth process for traveling and make sure that all the provided necessities are up to the mark. If you follow the TRV Canada application process, you can easily get approval and fly to Canada with ease.

Frequently Asked Questions