Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)

This is for people intending to come to Canada to visit or tour the country for a short period of time. It includes travellers, tourists, vacationers and people who are visiting friends or family. Visitors contribute significantly to Canadas economy and Canada welcomes visitors with open arms to visit the warm people and the rich cultures of Canada.

 

A visitor visa, also referred to as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is an immigration document that allows foreign nationals to travel to and enter Canada. Unless you are from a visa-exempt country, you will need a visitor visa to enter Canada whether you are coming as a student, temporary worker, or simply to visit.

There are four types of Temporary Resident Visas

1. Single entry visa: allows foreign nationals to enter Canada for one-time only. This is usually issued when the purpose of travel is limited. That is purpose of entry is strictly for a onetime event or when the Minister has issued country specific instructions.
2. Multiple -entry visa: This allows foreign nationals to travel to Canada several times within the validity of the visa and stay is valid for maximum of 6months per entry. The maximum validity can be up to 10 years matched with the validity of the applicant’s passport minus one month. Please note visa validity is at the discretion of the Visa office. If you hold a study permit or a work permit, and are not visa-exempt, you will automatically be issued a visitor visa allowing you to enter Canada to receive your permit. Usually, this is a multiple entry visa. If you choose to temporarily leave Canada during your studies or temporary work, you will not need to apply for a new visitor visa to re-enter Canada if your permit andvisa remain valid.
3. Transit Visa: A transit visa is generally required for travel through Canada to another country by any person who would require a temporary resident visa to come into Canada. The foreign national is required to show travel tickets and allowed to remain in Canada for it to 48 hours on transit. Some foreign nationals have been exempted from the requirement of a transit visa…. Find out from us if you are exempted.
4. Super Visa: The Parents and grandparents super visa simply referred to as Super visa is a multiple entry visa that allows multiple entries for up to 10 years period and a maximum stay of up to 2 years on an initial entry to Canada. This is issued to parents and grandparents of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who meet the eligibility.

WHO NEEDS A VISITOR VISA

Everyone who wants to enter Canada who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or otherwise visa-exempt, requires a visitor visa. Canadian permanent residents are not permitted to apply for a visitor visa, even if their permanent resident card has expired. They must instead apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD). Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, are also not permitted to apply for a visitor visa. They must be traveling on a valid Canadian passport. If you are transiting through or coming to Canada for business, not as a temporary foreign worker, you may need a business visitor visa.

Visa-Exempt Countries

Some foreign nationals are exempted from TRVs to enter into Canada. Some persons are exempted based on nationality, possession of certain documents, or the purpose of entry. If foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries wish to visit Canada by air, they require a valid electronic travel authorization (eTA). If they however choose to visit by land or by sea, they only require their valid passport issued by a visa-exempt country.

United States citizens can travel to Canada on a valid U.S. passport, and do not require a visitor visa or eTA, provided they are not staying for a period longer than six months. U.S. permanent residents, or Green Card holders, are visa-exempt regardless of their country of citizenship. They however require an eTA to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport and must present a valid Green Card and a valid passport to enter Canada.

EXTENDING A VISITOR VISA

Visitor visas, whether a single entry or multiple entries, allow foreign nationals to legally stay in Canada for up to six months at a time. The visitor’s status expires at the end of this period and the individual must leave Canada. Foreign nationals who would like to extend their stay beyond six months must apply to do so while their temporary resident status is still valid. They should apply for an extension at least 30 days before status expiration. If your current visa expires while your extension application is still being processed, you may remain in Canada while waiting for a decision to be made. This is called implied status.

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