A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) allows someone who has been refused a visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), or who has otherwise been deemed ineligible to travel to Canada, to enter the country under certain limited and exceptional circumstances.
In order to be granted a TRP, your need to enter or stay in Canada must be judged by an immigration or border officer to outweigh the risks to Canadian society of permitting your entry to the country.
When do I need a Temporary Resident Permit?
You will need a Temporary Resident Permit to enter Canada if you have been unsuccessful in gaining a visa or other form of entry permission, such as an Electronic Travel Authorization.
Normally, if you have been refused a visa or Electronic Travel Authorization, you will be refused entry to Canada if you attempt to travel. However, border authorities can at their discretion grant you a strictly time-limited Temporary Resident Permit to allow you to enter the country.
When issued, Temporary Resident Permits are typically given to individuals who have been refused a visa or eTA because they are ‘inadmissable’ under Canadian immigration law.
Who is considered ‘inadmissable’ under Canadian law?
There are a number of reasons that someone may be refused a visa or eTA because of inadmissability, including:
- security reasons e.g. suspected terrorism or links to terrorist groups
- human rights or sanctions violations
- a criminal record in Canada or another country
- includes convictions for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- medical or public health reasons
- having lied or withheld information in a visa/eTA application
Can I get a Temporary Resident Permit if I am inadmissable?
If you have been judged inadmissable because of a conviction for a crime, you may still be able to get a Temporary Resident Permit and enter Canada for a limited time. You will however need to convince a Canadian immigration officer that there is minimal risk to Canadian public safety of admitting you into the country, and that you can be considered to be ‘rehabilitated’.
Usually, you will be considered rehabilitated if at least five years have passed since you completed your sentence (including any probation) and if the crime is punishable in Canada by no greater than ten years in prison.
How do I apply for a Temporary Resident Permit?
If your nationality would normally allow you to apply for an eTA and your application was refused, you may be given a temporary resident permit instead. You should however consult with the Canadian embassy, consulate or visa office responsible for immigration applications from your country or region to see if they have a specific application process for Temporary Resident Permits.
If your nationality is normally not entitled to apply for an eTA, you should instead submit an application for a visitor visa, including documentation and evidence to show why you should be permitted to enter Canada.
How long can I stay in Canada with a Temporary Resident Permit?
Each Temporary Resident Permit issued is unique to the holder. It will specify precisely how long you are entitled to stay in Canada, and you must ensure that you have left the country or secured a new permit by the time it expires.
Failure to abide by the time restrictions on your permit could lead to you being removed from Canada and will likely affect any future applications to enter the country.