Temporary Resident Visa and Electronic Travel Authorization

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is sometimes called a ‘visitor visa’ and is a counterfoil stamp placed in your passport.  This travel document is required for citizens of visa-required countries to enter Canada. 

You can find out if you need a TRV to travel to Canada here.

A TRV is required to enter Canada but does not have to be valid once you are in Canada.  However, you may want to keep your TRV valid in case an unexpected trip comes up.

A study permit allows you to stay and study inside Canada.  It must be valid at all times while you are in Canada as an international student.

Initial Study Permit:  You do not need to apply for a TRV when you apply for an initial study permit from outside of Canada.  If your study permit application is approved, you will automatically be issued a TRV.

Study Permit Extension:  When you apply to extend your study permit, a TRV is not automatically issued.  In this case, you must wait until you receive the new study permit, then apply to renew  your TRV. 

• Note: citizens from some visa-required countries may automatically receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) when their study permit extension applications are approved. Discover if this policy applies to you here.

PGWP Application:  When you apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) from inside Canada, a TRV is not automatically issued.  In this case, you must wait until you receive the PGWP, then apply to renew your TRV.

• Note: citizens from some visa-required countries may automatically receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) when their PGWP applications are approved. Discover if this policy applies to you here.

You should apply for a TRV well in advance of any travel plans. Be cautious about booking non-refundable tickets before you receive your TRV. The published processing times do not include the time it takes to mail your passport to receive the counterfoil stamp; this can take an additional 1-2 months.

• Check out the following resources to help you apply for a TRV:

  • TRV Application Guide

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air. An eTA is electronically linked to a traveller’s passport and is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.  If you get a new passport, you need to get a new eTA.

You can find out if you need an eTA to travel to Canada here.