How to Apply for a Temporary Resident Visa

Steps on How to Apply for a Temporary Resident Visa

Are you a foreign national and have the desire to travel to Canada? If this is the case, and if you are a foreign national that comes from a non-visa-exempt country, you must first apply for a Temporary Resident Visa in order to travel and enter Canada. A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), also referred to as a Visitor Visa, is a document that will essentially permit you entry into Canada as a visitor for the validity period of the issued visa. Thankfully, Temporary Resident Visas are now only issued as multiple-entry and single-entry visas are no longer issued. Therefore, in this article, I will explain how to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa, who needs a TRV and other important factors to consider if you are applying for a TRV.

Do I Require a Temporary Resident Visa to Enter Canada

A Temporary Resident Visa is intended for foreign nationals from non-visa-exempt countries that would like to travel and enter Canada. Furthermore, the visa will then allow the foreign national proper authorization to enter Canada through multiple-entries for a temporary period. It is important to note that Temporary Resident Visas are also known and referred to as Visitor Visas; the terms are interchangeable.

The most important aspect of applying for a Temporary Resident Visa is to first determine whether your country is visa-exempt or not. For instance, if you are a foreign national from a non-visa-exempt country, you will need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa prior to travelling to Canada. Whereas, if you are a foreign national from a visa-exempt country, you will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) prior to travelling to Canada. Therefore, in order to determine whether your country is a visa-exempt country or not, it is highly suggested that you visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)’s website in order to find out whether you require a Temporary Resident Visa prior to travelling to Canada.

It is important to note that if you are coming from a country that is non-visa-exempt and you have not obtained a Temporary Resident Visa prior to travelling to Canada, an Immigration officer can deny your entry into Canada and you may be sent back to your country.

How to Qualify for a Temporary Resident Visa

There are specific and detailed eligibility requirements that must be met in order to travel to Canada as a visitor, regardless of your intention for travelling to Canada. It is very important that a foreign national meets all of the following eligibility requirements in order to enter and travel to Canada.

The eligibility requirements of a Temporary Resident Visa are:

• Must have a valid foreign passport &/or travel document
• Must be in good health
• Must not be inadmissible to Canada
• Must have sufficient ties to your home country, including a job, home, family or financial assets
• Must have an intention of exiting Canada at the end of your authorized visit
• Must have enough funds for the duration of your authorized visit

In addition to the above mentioned eligibility requirements, Immigration Canada may request further documentation from you, such as a medical examination or a police clearance certificate. It is important to note that these documents do not have to be submitted with the initial application as Immigration will request them while the application is processing. However, if you are unable to provide these additional documents, there is a possibility that you may be denied entry into Canada.

Another beneficial document that you may provide when applying for a Temporary Resident Visa is an invitation letter from a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada. For instance, if you are planning to travel to Canada to meet with family members, a family member of yours can write your invitation letter. In these circumstances, Immigration Canada may request to see their supporting financial documents to see if they could support your stay, financially, in Canada.

How to Apply for a Temporary Resident Visa

If you would like to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa, you will first need to obtain the application package, if you decide to apply in paper form. On the other hand, if you choose to apply online instead, the instructions are slightly different. However, Immigration Canada will request specific documentation and forms to be filled out regardless of the form of application. It is worth mentioning that Temporary Resident Visas are difficult applications to pursue on your own as they can be quite overwhelming. Therefore, if you require assistance or guidance with the application process for a Temporary Resident Visa, it is highly suggested to seek out professional immigration help, such as Akrami & Associates, in order to make your Temporary Resident Visa application as strong as it can be.

When applying for a Temporary Resident Visa, it is important to recognize that what you need to travel with can entirely depend on the type of travel document you intend on travelling with. For instance, it will all depend on several factors, including your passport; the country that issued your travel document; how you will travel to Canada; and your nationality. As a result, it is very important for you to determine what type of travel document you will require before entering Canada as a visitor. Additionally, if you do not have the proper travel documentation to enter Canada, you may be denied entry into Canada.

Contact Akrami & Associates

If you would like to visit Canada and explore what Canada has to offer and if you feel as though you’d be eligible for a Temporary Resident Visa, it is important to take all of the aforementioned information into consideration before applying. Temporary Resident Visa applications are difficult to pursue on your own, especially if you are unfamiliar; it is highly recommended that you seek out professional and experienced help before attempting to apply. Here, at Akrami & Associates, we work and have experience with many different immigration issues. We have helped many of our clients enter Canada as Temporary Residents for tourism or other purposes. If you believe that you may be eligible to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa, please feel free to contact Akrami & Associates at our office at 416-477-2545 for more information or if you would like to book a consultation with an immigration professional for more advise.

With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way!