A Brief Introduction

Canada welcomes more than 35 million temporary residents (non-immigrants) each year.

Unless they are citizens of a visa-exempt country, persons who wish to enter Canada for a temporary purpose, such as tourists, temporary foreign workers (work permits) and international students (study permits) must apply for and be granted a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).

There are certain conditions that the applicant has to meet. A few things that the applicants are required to provide (apart from other documents that are required)

• A valid travel document, such as a passport;
• Details of ties with the country of residence like a job, home, financial assets and family, that will take the applicant back to your country of origin

• Information and documents to satisfy the immigration officer that the applicant will leave Canada at the end of the visit
• Details of sufficient funds to cover the cost of the stay and travel.

The TRV is a document issued by a Canadian Immigration Visa Office outside Canada, showing that the holder has satisfied the requirements for admission to Canada as a visitor. Temporary Resident Visas may be for single entry or multiple entry.

As a general rule, tourists are admitted for a period of six months. Temporary foreign workers and international students are admitted for varying periods of time, as determined on a case-by-case basis. Extensions may be applied for within Canada.

It is important to note that possession of a valid Temporary Resident Visa does not necessarily mean that the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Officer at the Canadian Port of Entry will admit the visitor into Canada. At the Port of Entry, all visitors must demonstrate that the purpose of their visit to Canada is of a temporary nature. Citizenship and Immigration Canada Officers at the Port of Entry will deny admission to all persons who, in their opinion, do not intend to leave Canada at the expiry of their visitor status.

In addition, criminality and medical issues may prevent a visitor from entering Canada. Visitors to Canada must also be able to prove their ability to support themselves during their intended temporary stay in Canada.

The visa officer might ask the applicant to undergo a medical examination or call for an interview.

If there are friends or relatives in Canada who would like to invite the applicant as a guest, they can also provide a letter of invitation and other supporting documents.