What is a Canadian Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) eTA
The Canadian temporary resident visa (Canadian TRV) is also known as a Canadian visitor visa. The Canadian temporary resident visa or a visitor visa is an authorized official travel document that is mandatory for all foreign nationals who are not eligible for the Canada eTA program.
Travelers often question whether they need to apply for a Canadian visitor visa or a Canada eTA. It is essential to know the difference between these two travel authorizations granted by the Canadian authorities.
Remember that travelers are required to present valid authorizations to enter the country and stay.
Most overseas visitors are unsure whether about the Canadian TRV and a Canada eTA. Go through this simple guide to learn about Canadian TRV or a Canadian visitor visa.
Visiting Canada is simpler than ever since Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced the simplified and streamlined process of obtaining electronic travel authorisation or Online Canada Visa. Online Canada Visa is an travel permit or electronic travel authorization to enter and visit Canada for a period of less than 6 months for tourism or business. International tourists must have a Canada eTA to be able to enter Canada and explore this beautiful country. Foreign citizens can apply for an Online Canada Visa Application in a matter of minutes. Online Canada Visa Application process is automated, simple, and completely online.
What is a temporary resident visa or a Canadian visitor visa?
All foreign citizens are required to obtain a temporary resident visa or a Canadian visitor visa in order to travel and stay in the country. A temporary resident visa or a Canadian visitor visa is one of the types of visas that overseas visitors who are not visa-exempt to enter Canada must produce to access Canada.
An approved and authorized Canadian visitor visa is a single-entry travel authorization that allows travelers to stay in Canada for a maximum of 6 months.
A valid Canadian visitor visa can be obtained for the following purposes:
- Tourism
- Business trips
- Study
- Work
Please also note that holding a valid temporary resident visa (TRV) or a Canadian visitor visa does not guarantee entry into Canada. Admission into Canada as a temporary resident is considered a privilege rather than a right.
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Online Canada Visa, or Canada eTA, is a mandatory travel documents for citizens of visa-exempt countries. If you are a citizen of a Canada eTA eligible country, or if you are a legal resident of the United States, you will need eTA Canada Visa for layover or transit, or for tourism and sightseeing, or for business purposes, or for medical treatment. Learn more at Online Canada Visa Application Process.
How long is a Canadian temporary resident visa or Canadian visitor visa valid?
The travelers who are applying for a Canadian temporary resident visa or a Canadian visitor visa are required to specify their intended date of arrival in Canada while submitting a TRV application. This is important because the TRV becomes a valid visa from this date. The validity of the Canadian visitor visa lasts for a period of 6 months from the date of arrival in Canada.
It is also possible to extend a Canadian TRV or Canadian visitor visa. It can be done either online or with a paper application. It is crucial that this process should be done at least 30 days before the initial visa expires.
Eligibility for extending temporary resident status in Canada
Temporary residents of Canada can apply to change or extend their status in the country under certain conditions.
The applicant must request an extension before their current temporary resident status expires.
Factors that are usually considered are-
- Intentions of the applicant
- Reason for extension
- Financial support
- Ability to leave Canada by choice
- Purpose of entry
Regardless of the qualifications, it will be up to the Canadian authorities to make the final decision after reviewing and processing your request.
Can I convert my Canadian TRV or a Canadian visitor visa into a Canadian work visa?
All students with a Canadian visitor visa need not produce any other travel documents if their studies are under 6 months of duration. If travelers are planning to undertake employment in Canada, they are required to hold a valid Canadian work permit.
Visitors who are already in Canada get an official job offer; they can apply for a Canadian work permit while they are still in the country.
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Who must apply for a Canadian TRV or Canadian visitor visa instead of the Canada eTA?
Overseas visitors from the following nations are required to submit an application form for a Canadian temporary resident visa or a Canadian visitor visa before the travel to Canada.
It is mandatory to produce a Canadian visitor visa so as to enter the country.
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo, Democratic Republic
Congo, Republic of
Cuba
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Korea, North
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Macao
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Paraguay
Peru
Qatar
Russia
Rwanda
Sao Tome e Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Surinam
Swaziland
Syria
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Togo
Tonga
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe
The Canadian authorities recently added 13 more countries to the list of nations that are eligible to travel to Canada visa-free using a Canada eTA.
Travelers from these countries who wish to stay in Canada for more than 6 consecutive months will be required to apply and obtain another type of Canadian visa. They can start the process by visiting the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate.
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Before applying for the Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) you must make sure to have a valid passport from a visa-exempt country, an email address that is valid and working and credit/debit card for online payment. Learn more at Canada Visa Eligibility and Requirements.
How to apply for a Canadian TRV or a Canadian visitor visa?
Visitors who are already in Canada and applying for a Canadian study permit or work permit, or visitor record can now submit an online application for a Canadian temporary resident visa or Canadian visitor visa.
But one must know that the usual process of overseas visitors applying for a Canadian TRV or a Canadian visa requires the applicants to visit the Canadian visa application center (VAC). It is possible to carry forward this process either in the country the applicant has been lawfully authorized or in their home country.
The usual process of applying for a Canadian visitor visa or a Canadian TRV includes the applicants making an appointment at any one of the centers well in advance. It is important that the applicants present the following documents:
- An authorized passport from an eligible country
- A fully completed Canadian visitor visa application form
- A passport-sized photograph of the traveler
- A copy of the confirmed airline tickets
- An organized travel itinerary for the intended stay in Canada
The authorities may request some additional supporting documents depending on the purpose of visiting Canada. It is necessary to pay the required Canadian visitor visa fee before the processing of the application.
On submitting the application, the applicants have to provide their biometric data, like fingerprints and photographs, within 30 days of visiting the visa application center (VAC).
The Canadian visitor visa processing time varies depending on the workload at the visa application center (VAC). It is also depended upon the reviewing of your application and if the applicant has to submit any additional requirements.
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Documents required to apply for a Canadian TRV or a Canadian visitor visa
To get an approved Canadian visitor visa, the applicants have to meet certain basic requirements –
- The applicants must provide a valid passport
- Be in good health
- Must not have serious criminal convictions
- Have no immigration-related issues
- Must convince the immigration officer to allow entry into the country
- Must convince the immigration authorities that the applicant will leave Canada at the end of their visit
- Must have sufficient financial funds to cover the costs of the trip and stay in Canada
Sometimes, the applicants may have to present an invitation letter from the person living in Canada, and also, the overseas visitors must take a medical exam.
There are a few reasons why a person may not be allowed to enter Canada. Some people can be considered inadmissible for the following reasons:
- Serious criminal convictions
- Human rights violation
- Involvement in organized crime
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Is Canada eTA and a Canadian temporary resident visa the same?
No. The Canada eTA and a Canadian TRV are not the same.
The Canada eTA is only meant for those citizens from visa-exempt countries. In contrast, a Canadian TRV is suitable for those travelers who plan for a short stay in Canada and are not eligible to apply for the online Canada eTA.
The Canada eTA is an online application process that is much simpler than the process of a Canadian visitor visa. The Canada eTA is mandatory for all visitors from visa-exempt nations planning to travel to Canada. It is valid for a period of 5 years, and it allows the visitors to stay for 6 consecutive months with each entry. The Canada eTA is a multiple-entry travel authorization and is valid for a longer period when compared to a Canadian TRV.
The process of applying for a Canadian TRV or a Canadian visitor vis is time-consuming. The applicants must submit many supporting documents, and the list of requirements is quite long when compared to a Canada eTA.
In order to apply for a Canada eTA, the applicants need to have only the following-
- An authorized passport as an identity document
- A valid credit or debit card to pay the Canada eTA fee amount
- A working email address to receive notifications regarding the travel authorization
See the list of documents required to apply for a Canadian TRV above.
Are Canadian tourist visa and Canadian visitor visa the same?
A Canadian visitor visa, a Canadian TRV, and a Canadian tourist visa are all the same in Canada. It is an authorized travel document that grants travelers entry into Canada for tourism, business, study, or work purposes.
Most foreign nationalities are required to apply for the Canadian TRV unless they are eligible to apply for a Canada eTA online.
Check your eligibility for Online Canada Visa and apply for eTA Canada Visa 3 days in advance of your flight. British citizens, Italian citizens, Spanish citizens, French citizens, Israeli citizens, South Korean citizens, Portuguese citizens, and Chilean citizens can apply online for eTA Canada Visa. Should you need any help or require any clarifications you should contact our helpdesk for support and guidance.
