For questions not listed here, please consult theFAQ section of the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.
A. Visitors
- I am not from a visa-exempt country. Can I apply for a temporary resident visa at the port of entry/airport in Canada?
- I do not have a return ticket. Can I travel to Canada with a one-way ticket?
- Is it correct that my passport has to be valid for at least 6 more months when I travel to Canada?
- I do not need a temporary resident visa, but I want to stay in Canada as a visitor for longer. Can I apply from outside of Canada for a temporary resident visa to cover my extended stay?
- I have a valid non-immigrant US visa. Can I travel to Canada within the validity of this visa?
- How longmay I stay in Canada?
- How can I extend my stay in Canada?
- I need both a permit and a visa. What fees must I pay?
- What documents must I present if I am just applying for a transit visa?
- What if I was previously a permanent resident of Canada and am now applying for a temporary resident visa?
- Where can I find information on what I may or may not bring to Canada?
- Where can I find information, whether I can bring my pets with me to Canada?
- Can a friend or a relative submit the application on my behalf?
B. Workers
- I want to work as au-pair in Canada. What type of visa do I need?
- I have been invited as visiting researcher/scholar by a Canadian university? Do I need a visa?
- I have to do a school/study related unpaid internship. Do I still need a work permit although I will not receive any money?
- Can I enter Canada as a visitor before my work permit has been issued?
- My passport will soon be renewed. Can I apply with my old passport or ID card details?
- Can I stay in Canada as a tourist after my study/work permit has expired?
- On my work permit it says: "Does not authorize re-entry". What does this mean?
C. Students
- Can I stay in Canada as a tourist after my study/work permit has expired?
- I want to do a language course which lasts less than 6 months, but includes an internship. Do I need a study permit?
- My son/daughter wants to go to school in Canada for less than 6 months. Do we need to apply for a study permit?
- On my study permit it says: "Does not authorize re-entry". What does this mean?
- Can I enter Canada as a visitor before my study permit has been issued?
- My passport will soon be renewed. Can I apply with my old passport or ID card details?
D. Immigration
- I am a Canadian citizen living outside Canada with my non-Canadian spouse/partner. Can I sponsor him/her for immigration while residing outside Canada?
- How much time will I have to enter Canada after receiving my permanent resident visa??
- How to sponsor a spouse/common-law or conjugal partner?
E. Pension Claim
- I need a certified copy of my immigration document (e.g. record of landing) for my pension claim. What do I need to do?
A. Visitors
1. I am not from a visa-exempt country. Can I apply for a temporary resident visa at the port of entry/airport in Canada?
No. A temporary resident visa application has to be applied for at a Canadian visa section outside of Canada.
2.I do not have a return ticket. Can I travel to Canada with a one-way ticket?
- We strongly recommend that travellers who enter as tourists present a return ticket upon entry into Canada, but this is not a legal requirement. Port of Entry officers may want to see proof that the person entering Canada will leave before expiry of their authorized period of stay.
- If you are the holder of a work or study permit, you generally do not need a return ticket. At the port of entry in Canada you might have to prove that you are able to fund your return flight.
3. Is it correct that my passport has to be valid for at least 6 more months when I travel to Canada?
The passport has to cover the whole duration of stay in Canada and must allow re-entry to the country of passport issuance. There is no legal regulation as to how many months/years the passport must be valid beyond return from Canada.
4. I do not need a temporary resident visa, but I want to stay in Canada as a visitor for longer. Can I apply from outside of Canada for a temporary resident visa to cover my extended stay?
No. Temporary residents who are visa-exempt citizens and wish to extend their stay in Canada have toapply for extension inside Canada.
5. I have a valid non-immigrant US visa. Can I travel to Canada within the validity of this visa?
No. A US non-immigrant visa does not entitle entry to Canada.
6. How long may I stay in Canada?
The official will stamp your passport indicating how long you may stay in Canada. Feel free to ask questions if you are unsure about anything. Generally, you are allowed to stay in Canada for a maximum of six months.
7. How can I extend my stay from within Canada?
After you arrive, you may want to change the conditions of your visit. This is possible in special cases.To extend your stay, you should apply three weeks before your visit is scheduled to expire.
8. Ineed both a permit and a visa. What fees must I pay?
You must pay the fees for the permit only. If you also require a visa, it will be included at no further charge.
If you are accompanied to Canada by a dependent (spouse, common-law partner, child) and that person requires a visa, you must also pay the processing fee for a temporary resident visa (single or multiple entry) for your dependent.
9. What documents must I present if I am just applying for a transit visa?
You must complete the same form and present the same documents as for any other temporary resident visa. You must also include documents concerning your travel arrangements (reservation or ticket). There are no fees for transit visas. Consult the information aboutTemporary Resident Visas.
10. What if I was previously a permanent resident of Canada and am now applying for a temporary resident visa?
If you were previously a permanent resident of Canada it will be necessary for our office to determine whether you are still considered to be a permanent resident of Canada before we can proceed with the processing of your temporary resident visa. Our office will contact you to inform you how to proceed.
11. Where can I find information on what I may or may not bring to Canada?
The following website provides information on Canada’s customs:
This Web site has specific information on:
- Moving to Canada
- Importing or Exporting Goods To/From Canada
- Travelling to Canada
12. Where can I find information, whether I can bring my pets with me to Canada?
The following website provides information on Canada’s import requirements, also for animals and plants:
Automated Import Reference System
13. Can a friend or a relative submit the application on my behalf?
An authorized third party (friend, family member, etc.) can drop off the application in person on your behalf. We can also return your passport to a third party if you supply a written authorization (no notarization required) allowing us to do so.
B. Workers
1. I want to work as au-pair in Canada. What type of visa do I need?
- You need to apply for a work permit under thelive-in caregiver program.
- You may or may not need a visa depending on yournationality. The visa - if required - will be issued together with your work permit. A separate visa application is not required, but you will have to submit your original passport together with your application for a work permit.
2. I have been invited as visiting researcher/scholar by a Canadian university? Do I need a visa?
- Visa requirement depends on your nationality, not on the purpose of stay. Please check forvisa requirement.
- Independent of the visa, you may need a work permit. For a research internship (with or without remuneration) awork permitis usually required.
- If you receive a research grant (Stipendium) either from a Canadian or a Non-Canadian institution, you may apply for a work permit without HRSDC confirmation as "award recipient".
- If you meet the requirements of a self-funded researcher you may enter Canada as a visitor without a work permit.A self-funded researcher is someone who:
- conducts research purely for his own project and uses the facilities of a Canadian university (library, computer,...) but is in no way contributing to research projects of the host institute,
- does not receive any official funding/scholarship/academic grant from either Canadian or non-Canadian sources.
3. I have to do a school/study related unpaid internship. Do I still need a work permit although I will not receive any money?
Yes. Please see our entry on visiting researcher/scholar. The same rules apply.
4. Can I enter Canada as a visitor before my work permit has been issued?
If you are avisa-exempt national, we cannot hinder you to travel to Canada before obtaining your work/study permit. However, we strongly advise against it. You may be refused entry into Canada. A work permit can only be issued upon entering Canada from outside. Even if we issue you with a permit letter, you will, nonetheless, have to leave Canada and re-enter to have your work permit validated.
5. My passport will soon be renewed. Can I apply with my old passport or ID card details?
No. You must submit your application with the data of the passport that you will use for travelling to Canada.
6. Can I stay in Canada as a tourist after my work permit has expired?
No. You must leave Canada before expiry of your work permit or you must apply forextension/change of statusin Canada before expiry of your permit.
7. On my work permit it says: "Does not authorize re-entry". What does this mean?
This restriction is not relevant forvisa-exempt nationals. Work permit holders who also require a visa need to make sure that their visa is still valid for re-entry when travelling outside Canada or else they need to apply for a visa at an embassy outside Canada.
C. Students
1. Can I stay in Canada as a tourist after my study permit has expired?
- Study permits are generally valid for 3 months after the completion of studies, depending on the validity of the passport and/or the CAQ.
- You must leave Canada before expiry of your study permit or you must apply forextension/change of statusin Canada before expiry of your permit.
2. I want to do a language course which lasts less than 6 months, but includes an internship. Do I need a study permit?
Yes. For courses that contain a practical component a study permit is required, regardless of the overall length of the course.
3. My son/daughter wants to go to school in Canada for less than 6 months. Do we need to apply for a study permit?
Please see "Who may need a study permit".
4. On my study permit it says: "Does not authorize re-entry". What does this mean?
This restriction is not relevant forvisa-exempt nationals. Study permit holders who also require a visa need to make sure that their visa is still valid for re-entry when travelling outside Canada or else they need to apply for a visa at an embassy outside Canada.
5. Can I enter Canada as a visitor before my study permit has been issued?
If you are avisa-exempt national, we cannot hinder you to travel to Canada before obtaining your work/study permit. However, we strongly advise against it. You may be refused entry into Canada. A study permit can only be issued upon entering Canada from outside. Even if we issue you with a permit letter, you will, nonetheless, have to leave Canada and re-enter to have your study permit validated.
6. My passport will soon be renewed. Can I apply with my old passport or ID card details?
No. You must submit your application with the data of the passport that you will use for travelling to Canada. ID data are generally of no use to us.
D. Immigration
1. I am a Canadian citizen living outside Canada with my non-Canadian spouse/partner. Can I sponsor him/her for immigration while residing outside Canada?
Yes. Canadian citizens can. Canadian permanent residents, however, need to be in Canada during the sponsorship/immigration process.
2. How much time will I have to enter Canada after receiving my permanent resident visa??
You must enterCanada within the validity of your permanent resident visa. A permanent resident visa cannot be extended.
The validity of a permanent resident visa is connected to the date of expiry of the medical examination results as well as to the validity of the passport. The medical examination results are valid for one year from the date you had the examination.
The expiry date is clearly visible on the visa sticker.
As of December 1, 2011, citizens of visa-exempt countries no longer have a permanent resident visa affixed to their passport. These applicants are only issued a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). The expiry date is clearly visible on the COPR.
3. How to sponsor a spouse/common-law or conjugal partner?
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada and have married or are in a common-law/conjugal relationship with a non-citizen of Canada who isresiding overseas, you must submit the sponsor application to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga (CPC – Mississauga) in Ontario.
You must send your sponsorship application together with the application for immigration of the person you wish to sponsor along with all required documentation to CPC-Mississauga. Please consult the Sponsor's Guide athttp://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/3900ETOC.asp.
There are two steps to process the application forms:
- The sponsorship application is processed by CPC - Mississauga.
- If you are approved as a sponsor, the permanent residence application is sent to the appropriate visa office abroad.
Detailed information about the sponsorship process can be obtained from the website of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration atwww.cic.gc.ca. Within Canada, the Department of Citizenship and Immigration also provides toll-free telephone numbers that you can call to obtain information about sponsoring a member of the Family Class. You can find the numbers in the Government of Canada pages in your local telephone directory.
E. Pension Claim
1. I need a certified copy of my immigration document (e.g. record of landing) for my pension claim. What do I need to do?
If you need a certified copy of your immigration document (e.g. record of landing) for your pension claim, please proceed as follows:
- Fill out the "Verification of Entry" form [IMM 5009] PDF * (88.84 KB).
- Fill out the "Supplementary Form" [IMM 5541] PDF * (101.09 KB).
- Gather supporting documents, if applicable. If your case is urgent, please indicate this on your application and enclose written evidence.
- Read ourpayment instructionscarefully. The applicable fee is that specified for "certification and replacement of immigration document". Enclose proof of your payment.
- Send the above documents to usby mail.
- We will then forward your application to Canada for processing. Please bear in mind that we cannot estimate how long processing may take.
Forbackground information, you may wish to refer to the website ofCitizenship and Immigration Canada. Please make sure to follow the payment instructions for the Vienna office.
FAQs
What is required to obtain a Canadian temporary resident status? ›
To be eligible for a temporary resident permit, your need to enter or stay in Canada must outweigh the health or safety risks to Canadian society, as determined by an immigration or a border services officer. Even if the reason you're inadmissible seems minor, you must demonstrate that your visit is justified.
Can I enter Canada with temporary resident visa? ›A temporary resident visa (TRV) is an official counterfoil document issued by a visa office that is placed in a person's passport to show that they have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident. Holding a TRV does not guarantee entry to Canada.
How long does it take to process temporary resident permit for Canada? ›The processing time for a Temporary Resident Permit is approximately 3 to 24 months. You can apply for the TRP by paper to a Canadian Processing Centre or at a Canadian port of entry. Port of entry applications are processed immediately. The cost of processing a TRP is $200 CAD.
Are temporary residents considered residents in Canada? ›Temporary residency is an immigration status in Canada given by an immigration officer to a foreign national that permits the foreign national to stay in Canada for a limited period of time. When a foreign national has been granted temporary residency status, they become a temporary resident in Canada.
How long can I stay in Canada as a temporary resident? ›How long you can stay. Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months in Canada. At the port of entry, the border services officer may allow you to stay for less or more than 6 months. If so, they'll put the date you need to leave by in your passport.
What are the three types of temporary resident applications? ›There are three main types of temporary residents: (1) visitors, (2) students, (3) workers. To obtain temporary status in one of these categories it is usually necessary for foreign nationals to make an application for the appropriate visa to the Canadian visa office serving the country where they reside.
Can a temporary resident leave and return to Canada? ›If you have a single-entry temporary resident visa, you will generally need a new single-entry visa to come back to Canada. You can request to return to Canada on your original single-entry temporary resident visa, if: you will only visit the U.S. or St.
What is the difference between temporary resident permit and visitor visa in Canada? ›A TRV is a document that shows you meet the requirements to enter Canada temporarily, and they can be issued to visitors, students or workers. Most visitors can stay for up to six months with a TRV. On the other hand, a TRP is only used for those that are deemed inadmissible to Canada.
What is the difference between visitor visa and temporary resident visa Canada? ›A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), also referred to as a visitor visa, is an official document issued by a Canadian visa office that is placed in your passport to show that you have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident (either as a visitor, a student, or a worker).
How much is a temporary resident visa in Canada? ›| Fee | Price ($CAN) |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa – per family (1 fee per family of 5 or more people) Single or multiple entry temporary resident visa; maximum fee for a family of 5 or more people applying at the same time and place | $500.00 |
| Extend your stay as a visitor - per person | $100.00 |
Do temporary residents pay tax in Canada? ›
Taxing Canadian-source income. As a non-resident of Canada, you are subject to Canadian income tax on most Canadian-source income paid or credited to you during the year unless all or part of it is exempt under a tax treaty.
Do temporary residents get healthcare in Canada? ›A temporary resident who holds a work permit valid for requisite minimum duration AND who will reside and work for that requisite duration in the same province/territory, will typically be deemed eligible for that provincial/territorial health plan.
What are the types of temporary resident visa in Canada? ›- A single-entry visa: allows you to enter Canada only once during its validity. When you leave Canada, excluding travel to the United States and St. ...
- A multiple-entry visa: allows you to re-enter Canada repeatedly during its validity.
Yes, you can live in Canada if you are a U.S. citizen—and actually, unless you actually apply for citizenship in Canada, you will still be considered an American citizen, even if you are a permanent resident of Canada.
What is the difference between permanent resident and temporary resident in Canada? ›A permanent resident is someone who has been given permanent resident status by immigrating to Canada, but is not a Canadian citizen. Permanent residents are citizens of other countries. A person in Canada temporarily, like a student or foreign worker, is not a permanent resident.
Do I need TRV to enter Canada from USA? ›Do I need a TRV? If you're a citizen of a visa-required country, you will need a TRV to travel to or re-enter Canada. If you are from a visa-exempt country, you will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada by air (U.S. citizens are exempt).
How long does a temporary resident visa take? ›You should send the application for the TRV around three months before you plan to travel as the process usually takes an average of 90 days to complete.
What are the requirements for TR to PR in Canada? ›- Proof of Entry and Status in Canada.
- Proof of Current Employment in Canada.
- Proof of Language Proficiency.
- Proof of completed study in Canada.
To qualify for the Temporary Foreign Worker program, applicants must: Have a job offer from a Canadian employer. In most cases, the employer who has offered the a temporary position will need to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment to get permission from the Canadian government to hire a foreign worker.