Temporary Resident Visas (Visitor Visas) For Canada

Last updated: 22 March 2024

Trv

Canada welcomes millions of temporary residents each year. Except for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, all other individuals require permission to enter Canada as a visitor. This CanadaVisa page provides an overview of whether you need a Temporary Resident Visa to enter Canada.

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Table of Contents


Overview

Unless they are citizens of a visa-exempt country, individuals who wish to enter Canada for a temporary purpose, such as tourists, temporary foreign workers (individuals with work permits) and international students (individuals on study permits) must apply for and be granted a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).

  • To find out if you need a TRV before departure to Canada, click here.

Citizens of visa-exempt countries intending to travel to Canada by air are expected to have applied for an obtained an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before their departure to Canada. Exceptions to this include citizens of the United States, who do not require a TRV or an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), and Green Card holders in the United States, who need an eTA to come to Canada, regardless of their nationality. Unless otherwise exempt from the requirement to obtain a TRV or an eTA, individuals who require a TRV do not require an eTA, and vice versa.

The TRV is a document issued by a Canadian Immigration Visa Office outside Canada, showing that the holder has satisfied the requirements for admission to Canada as a visitor. TRVs may be for single entry or multiple entry. As a general rule, tourists are admitted for a period of six months. Temporary foreign workers and international students are admitted for varying periods of time, as determined on a case-by-case basis. Extensions may be applied for from within Canada.

It is important to note that possession of a valid TRV does not necessarily mean that the Officer at the Canadian Port of Entry will admit the visitor into Canada. At the Port of Entry, all visitors must demonstrate that the purpose of their visit to Canada is of a temporary nature. Officers at the Port of Entry will deny admission to all persons who, in their opinion, do not intend to leave Canada at the expiry of their visitor status.

Items to note:

  • Certain applicants may need to undergo a medical examination. This pertains to some individuals who intend to remain in Canada and have recently visited certain countries, as well as persons who intend to work in certain occupations in Canada. To learn more, click here.
  • Criminality and medical issues may prevent a visitor from entering Canada.
  • Visitors to Canada must be able to prove their ability to support themselves during their intended temporary stay in Canada.
  • Citizens of certain countries may need to provide biometric information. To learn which countries this applies to, click here.

Countries with Conditional Eligibility

Citizens of some countries may be eligible for an eTA if they meet all three of the following conditions. If not they will have to pursue a TRV to travel to Canada. 

To be eligible for an eTA these travellers must:

  • have held a Canadian visitor visa (temporary resident visa) in the past 10 years or currently hold a valid United States (U.S.) nonimmigrant visa;
    • The U.S. nonimmigrant visa must be valid on the day that an individual applies for their eTA, but doesn’t need to be valid when they travel to Canada.
  • be coming to Canada for a short visit, business or tourist activity (normally for stays of up to 6 months); and
  • arriving to Canada by air, or transiting through a Canadian airport using a valid passport from one of the eligible visa-required countries. 

These conditional eligibility rules for an eTA apply to citizens of the following (visa-required) countries:

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Costa Rica
  • Mexico
  • Morocco
  • Panama
  • Philippines
  • St. Kitts and Nevis
  • St. Lucia
  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Seychelles
  • Thailand
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Uruguay

Country Checklist: Temporary Resident Visas

TRVs are required for citizens of certain countries. The chart below outlines which individuals require a TRV and which individuals need an eTA in order to enter Canada.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Country
Document/Authorization Required
Afghanistan
TRV
Albania
TRV
Algeria
TRV
Andorra
eTA
Angola
TRV
Anguilla
eTA
Antigua & Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
TRV
Australia
eTA
Austria
eTA
Azerbaijan
TRV
Bahamas
eTA
Bahrain
TRV
Bangladesh
TRV
Barbados
eTA
Belarus
TRV
Belgium
eTA
Belize
TRV
Benin
TRV
Bermuda
eTA
Bhutan
TRV
Bolivia
TRV
Bosnia-Herzegovina
TRV
Botswana
TRV
Brazil
Brunei
eTA
Bulgaria
eTA
Burkina Faso
TRV
Burundi
TRV
Cambodia
TRV
Cameroon
TRV
Cape Verde
TRV
Central African Republic
TRV
Chad
TRV
Chile
eTA
China
TRV
Colombia
TRV
Comoros
TRV
Congo, Democratic Republic
TRV
Congo, Republic of
TRV
Costa Rica
Croatia
eTA
Cuba
TRV
Cyprus
eTA
Czech Republic
eTA
Denmark
eTA
Djibouti
TRV
Dominica
TRV
Dominican Republic
TRV
Ecuador
TRV
Egypt
TRV
El Salvador
TRV
Equatorial Guinea
TRV
Eritrea
TRV
Estonia
eTA
Ethiopia
TRV
Fiji
TRV
Finland
eTA
France
eTA
Gabon
TRV
Gambia
TRV
Georgia
TRV
Germany
eTA
Ghana
TRV
Greece
eTA
Grenada
TRV
Guatemala
TRV
Guinea
TRV
Guyana
TRV
Haiti
TRV
Honduras
TRV
Hungary
eTA
Iceland
eTA
India
TRV
Indonesia
TRV
Iran
TRV
Iraq
TRV
Ireland
eTA
Israel (passport holders)
eTA
Israel (holders of travel document in lieu of passport)
TRV
Italy
eTA
Ivory Coast
TRV
Jamaica
TRV
Japan
eTA
Jordan
TRV
Kazakhstan
TRV
Kenya
TRV
Kiribati
TRV
Korea, North
TRV
Korea, South
eTA
Kosovo
TRV
Kuwait
TRV
Kyrgyzstan
TRV
Laos
TRV
Latvia
eTA
Lebanon
TRV
Lesotho
TRV
Liberia
TRV
Libya
TRV
Liechtenstein
eTA
Lithuania
eTA
Luxembourg
eTA
Macao
TRV
Macedonia
TRV
Madagascar
TRV
Malawi
TRV
Malaysia
TRV
Maldives
TRV
Mali
TRV
Malta
eTA
Mauritania
TRV
Mauritius
TRV
Mexico

TRV/eTA

Moldova
TRV
Monaco
eTA
Mongolia
TRV
Montenegro
TRV
Morocco
Mozambique
TRV
Myanmar
TRV
Namibia
TRV
Nepal
TRV
Netherlands
eTA
New Zealand
eTA
Nicaragua
TRV
Niger
TRV
Nigeria
TRV
Norway
eTA
Oman
TRV
Pakistan
TRV
Palau
TRV
Panama
Paraguay
TRV
Peru
TRV
Philippines
Poland
eTA
Portugal
eTA
Qatar
TRV
Romania
eTA
Russia
TRV
Rwanda
TRV
San Marino
eTA
Sao Tome e Principe
TRV
Saudi Arabia
TRV
Senegal
TRV
Serbia
TRV
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
TRV
Singapore
eTA
Slovakia
eTA
Slovenia
eTA
Somalia
TRV
South Africa
TRV
Spain
eTA
Sri Lanka
TRV
St. Kitts & Nevis
St. LuciaTRV/eTA
St. Vincent and the GrenadinesTRV/eTA
Sudan
TRV
Surinam
TRV
Swaziland
TRV
Sweden
eTA
Switzerland
eTA
Syria
TRV
Taiwan
eTA
Tajikistan
TRV
Tanzania
TRV
Thailand
Togo
TRV
Tonga
TRV
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
TRV
Turkey
TRV
Turkmenistan
TRV
Turks and Caicos
eTA
Tuvalu
TRV
Uganda
TRV
Ukraine
TRV
United Arab Emirates
eTA
United Kingdom
eTA
United States of America
Neither (travel document required at border)
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
TRV
Vanuatu
TRV
Venezuela
TRV
Vietnam
TRV
Yemen
TRV
Zambia
TRV
Zimbabwe
TRV


Frequently Asked Questions

Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents have the right to enter Canada freely. Other visitors to Canada, including tourists, students, and workers, may need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to enter Canada.

No. You do not need a Temporary Resident Visa to visit Canada if you are from a visa-exempt country. In this case, a visa-exempt person flying to Canada would need to apply for and obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before boarding his or her flight. If traveling to Canada over land, a visa-exempt person does not need either a TRV or an eTA.

Citizens from all other countries must apply for a Temporary Resident Visa before entering Canada, unless otherwise exempt.

Use our Visiting Canada Tool to determine what you need to do before traveling to Canada.

If your studies will last less than six months in Canada, then no Study Permit is required. Any studies beyond six months require a Study Permit, in addition to a Temporary Resident Visa, if you are not from a visa-exempt country.

There are many ways to qualify for a Work Permit. In some situations, the Canadian employer must demonstrate that they were unable to find Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents to fill the position.

If your TRV application is refused, there is no formal appeal process. In addition, you may only reapply if your situation has changed substantially or you have considerable new information to submit.

If your friend or family member requires a TRV to visit Canada, their initial application must be made outside the country, at the visa office responsible for the applicant's country or region. You may provide them with a Letter of Invitation, explaining how you will help the person to visit Canada. For example, you may state that you will pay for plane tickets or accommodation. While a Letter of Invitation may help a TRV application, it does not guarantee that the person will receive a visa.

In addition to the application forms and required fees, you will need to submit photos, proof of financial support, a photocopy of your return ticket or travel itinerary (if applicable), and any other documents required by the visa office responsible for your country or region.

No. You may simply present your passport and your valid Green Card at the Canadian border if traveling over land. If you are flying into Canada, you would need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

No, each family member must complete and sign the required forms. Parents or guardians may help their children fill out the forms, and will need to sign for any children under the age of 18. All the applications can be submitted in one envelope, with one payment receipt for the total fee for all applications.

If there is no stamp, handwritten date or document in your passport indicating an expiry date, your status as a temporary resident will expire six months from the day you arrive in Canada.

You may apply online or using a paper application to extend your status as a temporary resident. You should submit your application for an extended stay in Canada at least 30 days before your status expires. If your temporary resident status expires after you submit your application for an extension but before you receive a decision on the application, you may remain in Canada under maintained status. This status lasts until a decision is made on your new application.

In general, international students require a study permit to pursue an educational program in Canada. However, there are several exceptions to this rule. If your program in Canada is less than six months in duration you do not require a study permit, although it may be a good idea to apply for one in case you decide to continue your studies. As well, you may study in Canada without a study permit if you are a family member or staff member of a foreign representative accredited by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. You should contact your embassy in Canada for more information. In addition, if you are a member of a foreign armed force under the Visiting Forces Act, you will not be required to obtain a study permit. If your family members wish to study in Canada, they must meet the requirements. Finally, if you are in Canada on a work permit or student visa, your minor children can study at the secondary or elementary level. They must first enter Canada on a visitor visa.

As a general rule, a foreign national must obtain a Work Permit in order to work in Canada, although there are some exceptions.

If you are from a country that requires a visa to visit Canada, you will need to apply for a TRV just like any other visitor to Canada. The application is the same as for a visitor visa. For more information, please visit our page on Business Visitors.


Contact the Cohen Immigration Law Firm for Assistance

Do you need professional assistance getting Canadian TRV? The Cohen Immigration Law Firm can help. We offer over 45 years of Canadian immigration expertise.

Please complete our short form to submit your question directly to our law firm. One of our lawyers will contact you to schedule a free telephone consultation.

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