The Requirement for a Visa
A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) gives foreign nationals the ability to enter Canada for a temporary period of time. Most people require a TRV to enter Canada, unless you are from a country on the visa-exempt list, in which case, you will require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
US citizens do not require a TRV or eTA to enter Canada.
Eligibility Requirements
Temporary Resident Visas are highly discretionary and there are several factors that an immigration officer will look at when deciding whether or not to approve an application. These include, but are not limited to the following:
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Your intention to leave Canada at the end of your authorized period of stay,.
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Your financial situation and ability to support yourself while in Canada.
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Ties to your home country.
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Current or previous criminal or immigration violations.
Types of TRV's and Length of Stay
Single-Entry Visa
Allows you to enter Canada once.
Multiple-Entry Visa
Allows you to enter Canada repeatedly and is usually valid for up to 10 years, or until your passport expires.
Length of Stay
The standard length of stay for a Temporary Resident is a maximum of 6 months; however, this is discretionary to the immigration officer and in some cases they will grant less time than this.
If you wish to stay in Canada longer than 6 months, you can do this as long as you apply to extend your stay before your current status expires. You can then remain in Canada on maintained status until a decision is made on your new application.
Previous Refusals
One of the most refused applications in the Canadian immigration system, is the Temporary Resident Visa. This is because the ability to show that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized period of stay can be challenging sometimes.
If you have been previously refused a TRV, you are not alone - this is common and can be overcome. When you work with us, we will carefully review the reasons for your previous refusal(s) and put together a new application that addresses each area of concern so that you have the best chances of approval.
Common reasons for refusal include:
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Insufficient evidence that you have strong ties to your home country.
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Insufficient proof of financial security.
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Travel history.
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Concerns about your purpose of visit.
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Misrepresentation on previous applications.
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Inadmissibility issues (criminal or immigration history).
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The Difference Between a Study Permit and a Visa
A study permit is not a visa. While a study permit allows foreign nationals to attend a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada, most students will also be required to obtain a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) in order to enter Canada.
A Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is a school in Canada that has been approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. In order to obtain a study permit for Canada, you must have acceptance to a DLI.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply to come to Canada as a student, you must meet several requirements, including but not limited to the following:
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Having an official letter of acceptance to a DLI.
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Proof that you can pay tuition fees, living expenses and return travel to your home country.
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The ability to show that you will not remain in Canada beyond the validity of your study permit.
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Proof that you have no inadmissibility issues (criminal or medical).
Working in Canada While You Study and After You Finish Your Studies
Foreign nationals who are studying in Canada, have the ability to work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions, and full-time during scheduled academic breaks.
In some cases, such as a co-op or internship placements, you may be required to obtain a separate work permit in order to legally work in Canada.
If you are eligible, you can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) once you have completed your studies in Canada. The validity period of this work permit is dependent on your length of studies and will allow you to obtain an Open Work Permit so that you can gain Canadian work experience in the Canadian job market.
For many foreign students, a PGWP is a stepping stone to Permanent Residence in Canada through the Express Entry Canadian Experience Class immigration stream.
Length of Validity
Study permits are generally valid for the duration of your studies in Canada or until your passport expires. In the case of your passport expiring prior to your studies being completed, you have the ability to extend your status as a student, as long as you do so before your current study permit expires.
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Working Legally in Canada
If you are a foreign national, you cannot work legally in Canada unless you hold a valid Work Permit. As with Study Permits, a Work Permit is not a visa. Most workers require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada.
Types of Work Permits
There are two types of work permits in Canada:
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Employer Specific Work Permit (closed)
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this type of work permit is tied to a specific employer, job position and location, and
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often requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) showing that there are no Canadian citizens or permanent residents who can fill the position.
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Open Work Permit
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allows the foreign national to work for almost any employer in Canada, and
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is not tied to any specific job position or location.
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Eligibility Requirements
Foreign nationals must meet several requirements in order to obtain a work permit in Canada, including the application being tied to a specific immigration pathway. Foreign nationals cannot simply transition from being a visitor to being a worker without meeting the eligibility requirements for a particular pathway. In addition to this, workers must show the following:
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Proof that they will leave Canada at the end of their authorized period of work.
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The ability to support themself and their family financially while in Canada.
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Proof that they do not have any criminal or immigration violations.
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Proof of good health.
Validity Period
When you obtain a work permit, it will usually be valid for the same length of your job offer, employment contract, or program eligibility. In some cases, you may be able to renew your work permit, for example, if your passport expires prior to your employment contract and you were only given a validity period up to the expiry date of your passport.
Benefits of Canadian Work Experience
In many cases, gaining Canadian work experience can become a pathway to permanent residence. This is especially beneficial if you are applying through the Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs.
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What is a Temporary Resident Permit
A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is a special document that is issued to a foreign national who needs to enter Canada, but cannot do so under the regular means of obtaining a Temporary Resident Visa, because they are inadmissible to Canada for medical, criminal or other reasons.
TRPs are highly discretionary and the applicant must show that their need to enter or stay in Canada outweighs the risks. Even with strong reasoning, being granted a TRP is not automatic and if the application is approved, an officer can decide to grant entry from one day for up to three years, depending on the circumstances.
Some Common Reasons for Obtaining a Temporary Resident Permit
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Attending an important family function like a funeral or a wedding.
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Receiving essential medical treatment.
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Making a significant business or economic contribution.
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Continuing studies or work despite being inadmissible.
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What is a Super Visa
A Super Visa is a special, long-term Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
A Super Visa is a multi-entry visa and is usually valid for up to 10 years. A parent or grandparent who holds a Super Visa, is able to visit their children or grandchildren for up to 5 years at a time without having to renew their status every 6 months.
Eligibility Requirements
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You must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
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You must receive an invitation from your child or grandchild in Canada.
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Your child or grandchild must show proof of minimum necessary income based on family size.
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You must show proof of medical insurance coverage for a minimum of one year.
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You must meet standard admissibility requirements (criminal, medical, etc.).
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What is a Business Visitor Visa
A Business Visitor Visa is a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) that allows a foreign national to enter Canada for short-term business purposes without joining the Canadian labour market.
If you are a business visitor in Canada, this is not the same thing as being a temporary foreign worker in Canada. Business visitors do not need a work permit or Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), because they are not engaging in what is considered work in Canada.
Who Qualifies for a Business Visitor Visa
You may qualify as a business visitor to Canada if you need to enter the country for one of the following reasons:
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You need to attend a meeting, conference, or trade fair in Canada.
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You need to enter Canada to negotiate a contract.
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You need to come to Canada to receive training from a Canadian parent company.
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You are entering Canada to provide after-sales service (training, installation, or repairs, if allowed under the contract).
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What is Restoration of Status
Restoration of status means applying to regain your temporary resident status in Canada after it has already expired. If your temporary resident status in Canada has expired, you have up to 90 days from the time your status expired, to apply for a Restoration of Status.
Eligibility
You can apply for a Restoration of Status if you previously held:
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Visitor status.
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A study permit.
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A work permit.
You must stop working and studying immediately upon the expiry of your status and you cannot do either while your application for restoration is in processing and until your status is restored.
Important Things to Note
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If you leave Canada will your restoration application is in processing, it will be considered an abandoned application and will be refused.
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As with any Canadian immigration application, there is no guarantee of approval. It is your responsibility to know the expiry date of your status and to be proactive in ensuring that you do not fall out of status.
Restoring your status can be tricky at times and is a very discretionary type of application. Officers will look at why you allowed your status to expire, if you worked or studied without authorization, and any other reasons that may have contributed to remaining in Canada without valid status. If you or someone you know is in this situation and needs help navigating these circumstances, contact us to find out how we can assist in helping you gain back your Canadian status so that you can continue to study and work.
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We Are Here to Help
At Satov Immigration, we bring years of experience helping clients successfully enter Canada on a temporary basis. Our in-depth knowledge of Canada’s immigration system, combined with careful attention to detail, helps reduce stress and improve your chances of a positive outcome.
There’s no need to navigate the process alone — we’re here to guide you with clarity and support at every step.
Contact us today and let us make your journey to Canada smoother and stress-free.
