Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)

Your valid Temporary Resident Visa allows you to enter Canada. Know the expiry date and make sure to renew it two to three months before the expiration date.

Temporary Resident Visa information is for in-Canada applications only. For info on temporary resident visa applications outside Canada view the COVID-19 FAQs below.

HOW TO APPLY ONLINE

Step 1: Log into your IRCC online account through GCKey or Sign-in partner

If you are a new user, you must register for MyCIC through GCKey or Sign-in Partner. Your Client ID from your Study Permit is required to complete the registration.

Step 2: Click on ‘Apply to come to Canada'

You will be asked to enter a Personal Reference Code.  

If you do not already have a code, go to the section, "I do not have a Personal Refence Code" and click on Visitor visa, study and/or work permit

Answer all the questions that follow. Please use the TRV Eligibility Questionaire Guide available in the navigation.

Step 3: Fill in the online application form and gather supporting documentation

1) Complete the IMM 5257 Application form. Validate and save the form as an unsigned copy.  If you cannot open the form, remove the pop-up blocker on your browser and update your Adobe Reader.  We recommend using Firefox or Internet Explorer as your browser.

You can find a guide to completing IMM5257 in the sidebar.

2) Gather the following supporting documents:

  • digital photo (420x540 pixels)
  • passport pages (only pages with stamps, visas, photos)
  • study permit (or post-graduate work permit if applicable)
  • Official transcript (Go directly to the Registrar's office or make a request on DalOnline)
  • proof of next term's enrolment: undergraduate students can request a confirmation of enrolment letter from  the Registrar's Office and graduate students can request a letter from the Faculty of Graduate Studies
  • proof of means of financial support  (eg. bank statement, loan letter or sponsorship letter)

Once you have all the documents ready, save them electronically, then upload the IMM 5257 form and supporting documents.

Important Information

After you submit your application, Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada may contact you for additional documents.  If you are contacted, make an appointment with an International Student Advisor to ensure you respond accurately and punctually to the IRCC request.   

Step 4: Upload biometrics receipt (if applicable)

If you paid $85.00 CAD for biometric collection but have not yet completed biometrics, please upload your $85.00 receipt under “Optional Documents-Client Information”. Make sure to indicate YES to biometrics in the online questionnaire or you will be charged again. 

Step 5: Pay the application fee

Pay theTRV renewal fee of $100 CAD online with a credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express). Do not forget to print a receipt.

Step 6: Submit application and wait for IRCC response

Save or print your confirmation of successful transmission for your records.

Once your application has been processed, IRCC will send you an email directing you to your IRCC online account. In the section for submitted applications, you should check your application for any IRCC letters requesting your passport.

Print the IRCC letter, then purchase two prepaid (32 x 24 cm and 26 x 16.5 cm)  Xpresspost—National envelopes at any Canada Post retail outlet.

Enclose one envelope in the other envelope along with your passport and IRCC letter. This second envelope will be used to return your passport and new TRV to you.

We recommend you enclose your passport and the IRCC letter in a regular envelope. Write your UCI, Application Number (found in your letter) and “TRV Application” on your envelope.

UCI: ######

Application: V######

“TRV Application”

Please mail all your documents to the following address:

Temporary Resident Visa Section
Case Processing Centre – Ottawa
P.O. Box 8780 STN T CSC
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5A9

If sent by private courier (eg. FedEx, DHL, UPS):

Temporary Resident Visa Section
Case Processing Centre – Ottawa
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1

COVID-19 FAQs

I am currently outside Canada and my Temporary Resident Visa (counterfoil/stamp in your passport) has expired or is about to expiry. Can I apply for a new Temporary Resident Visa from home ?

Yes, you can apply for another Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) from outside Canada. Before you apply for the TRV, please check the expiry date of your study permit. You may need to apply for both documents if they are expiring or have expired at the same time. To learn more on how to apply for a study permit and TRV outside Canada, visit Study Permit Extension COVID19 FAQs

To apply for a TRV, please following the step-by step instructions listed above. When completing the online questionnaire, please indicated your home country as current residence, NOT Canada. Please note, TRV processing time varies depending on country. Please visit IRCC Application Processing Time for more info.

Ensure you have the correct immigration documents before travelling:

  • A study permit approval letter (also known as a letter of introduction) 
  • A valid travel entry document (i.e. Temporary Resident Visa or eTA as applicable) 
  • A passport valid for more than 6 months at the time of entry 
  • A valid immigration medical exam the day you enter Canada (if you needed one). Your exam is valid for 12 months from the day you get it. If your exam will expire before you enter Canada, you need to get another medical exam. This applies even if your study approval letter is still valid.

OVERVIEW

What is it?
A TRV is an official counterfoil document issued by a visa office that is placed in a person’s passport to show that he or she has met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident.

Who needs it?

Only citizens of specific countries require Temporary Resident Visas to enter Canada. TRVs are often issued for the same length of time as the study permit. If you have a study permit, a TRV is not needed while inside Canada, but it is a good idea to keep a valid TRV in case of sudden trips outside of Canada.

Why do I need it?
Not everyone requires a TRV to enter Canada. Citizens from visa-exempt countries do not require a TRV to travel to Canada as a temporary resident (visitor, student, or temporary worker). Check the IRCC website to see if you need a valid TRV to travel to Canada.

When do I need it?
If you need to travel outside of Canada, you will need a TRV to re-enter Canada. Therefore we recommend you apply for a new TRV before you travelling outside of Canada. Please remember this is for Citizens of non-Visa exempt countries. 

NEED HELP?

        Please review our Contact Us page that lists who to
        contact for different types of advising and support.