What is a Temporary Resident Permit?

A Temporary Resident Permit, also known as a TRP, is a document issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada that allows people who are technically inadmissible to Canada to visit the country. A TRP is only given to a person if they need to come to Canada to outweighs the risk of that person being in the country. For example, an individual might be granted a TRP for a visit to Canada if the trip is work-related and that a person’s presence in Canada will be beneficial to the country or its citizens.

Canadian Border Service officers determine which Temporary Resident Permit applications are approved. They will compare the risks of a person’s entry to the benefits it will have on Canadian society. Therefore, it is up to the applicant to demonstrate that they are deserving of temporary residence in Canada. TRPs usually cover the length of a person’s stay in Canada and if you are granted one, you must leave once your temporary residence has expired.

Who Needs a Temporary Resident Permit?

Anyone who is inadmissible to Canada but has a valid need to come to the country needs a TRP. TRPs can cover either medical or criminal inadmissibility. If you are inadmissible to Canada because of a criminal conviction and you completed your sentence less than five years ago, a Temporary Resident Permit might be your best option if you need to travel to Canada. If a person is deemed inadmissible to Canada, their family members traveling with them may also be considered inadmissible. Those family members will need to apply for, and be granted, their own individual TRPs before a border officer will let them enter Canada. When a person receives a TRP and is in Canada, they must adhere to certain conditions in order to remain in the country. They must respect and follow all Canadian laws. In order to work or study in Canada during the temporary residence, a person must also receive the proper permits in addition to the TRP. A temporary resident cannot leave and re-enter Canada without proper authorization. When a TRP expires, its holder must leave Canada.

Application Procedure

Applying for a Temporary Resident Permit requires that a person proves the necessity of their trip to Canada. Application procedures vary depending on the country someone is applying from. Canadian visa offices in each country will have information on their requirements. Each TRP application has a non-refundable $200CAD application fee.