Temporary Resident Permit Canada

Marc Laforce, Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant

A temporary resident permit (TRP) is essentially a "special" permission or "waiver" to enter Canada as a visitor or resident despite being inadmissible on criminal or medical grounds.

A TRP is generally awarded to applicants who have a compelling and urgent need to be in Canada - such as an important business meeting or family event - and are not eligible for rehabilitation, have a pending rehabilitation application at the consulate or have a serious medical condition.

In certain cases, a TRP may be granted on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. In other cases, our Firm can press a "national interest" narrative.

The validity of a TRP will vary depending on the particular circumstances of the individual. It may range from a 24-hour pass to a 6-month permit. A TRP may allow for a single- to multiple-entry pass during the validity of the permit. In some cases, our Firm will press for back-to-back permits for multiple visits covering an extended period of time.

If you wish to file a TRP but want to confirm if you're indeed eligible for one or likely to be granted a TRP, we offer a private phone or office consultation for $150. At the consultation, we'll review your circumstances and reasons to be in Canada, discuss your background and issue a recommendation on the path forward.

Temporary Resident Permits - Two Ways to Apply

There are two ways of applying for a temporary resident permit. Both approaches have their pros and cons. We can petition for your TRP at a Canadian visa post either upon your arrival in Canada at the point of entry or prior to your trip.

Point-of-Entry TRP* : TRP Application at Point of Entry Upon Arrival in Canada (airport) or at Border Crossing by Car or Boat): This is an aggressive approach, and the decision is immediate.
* Requires formal go-ahead with the firm leading practitioner.

Consular TRP : TRP Application at a Qualified Canadian Consulate or Embassy: This is a safe approach, and the decision, if "compelling", may take 1-4 months (on average).

The basic drawback of applying at a visa post, such as a consulate or embassy, prior to your travel is time (or lack of time), given typical permits take 1-4 months (and sometimes more) to obtain depending upon the quality of the submission, the urgency of the case and the backlog at the visa post. If a TRP submission is poorly prepared or incomplete, the application will be returned and precious time will be lost. If a traveler plans to file a TRP prior to his travel plans, it is critical that he use a professional practitioner to minimize delay.

A TRP point-of-entry application, in contrast, allows for immediate entry if approved. This approach, however, carries a degree of anxiety given entry is uncertain until you present yourself to the immigration officer. There's no guarantee the officer will grant your request or even entertain a TRP. If no return flights are available, the officer may confiscate your passport, instruct you to lodge at a nearby hotel for the night and order you to return on the next available flight on the following day. In some circumstances, you may be detained at the point of entry. For these reasons, our Firm will not take a point-of-entry case without full knowledge of your personal circumstances and criminal history. The leading practitioner at the Firm must approve a TRP application at the point of entry prior to your scheduled trip.

Should you have an urgent and compelling need to be in Canada and are considering an application for a temporary resident permit, contact Serena Mergeani at our head office at 214-295-6051.