What is a Temporary Resident Permit
In order to enter Canada as a visitor, you must abide by the Immigration laws that are in place for the safety and security of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. In the issuance of a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), which is only issued if you are deemed inadmissible to enter Canada. In most cases, inadmissibility is due to criminality – any criminal offence that you’ve committed in or outside of Canada. This permit allows the inadmissible individual to cross the border and enter Canada for a specified amount of time. In this article, I will address the eligibility for a TRP, how to apply for a TRP, and the chances of a successful application.
Am I Eligible to Apply for TRP
As long as you’ve had a criminal history in Canada or the United States, you are eligible to apply for a TRP. Since 2010, Canada and the United States have shared a criminal database that allows easy access to information with regards to any past criminal activity for visitors, permanent residents and citizens of either country. Inadmissibility is usually designated for individuals who commit major offences, such as misdemeanors and/or felonies. Traffic offences, for the most part, do not render an individual inadmissible to Canada.
Specifically, a TRP allows you to enter or stay in Canada only if it has been less than 5 years since the end of your sentence, or you have valid reasons to be in Canada.
Moreover, if you are attempting to enter Canada and have a criminal past, it is highly advisable to apply for a TRP. If you attempt to enter and do not have any documentation or permission by the Canadian immigration to enter, or in worst case scenario, if you lie to an immigration officer and tell them you do not have a criminal past, there can be severe consequences. If the immigration officer suspects that you are lying to them or omitting important information from them, you can be misrepresenting yourself and this may lead to you being banned from entering the country.
Another important factor that you must consider when applying for a TRP is that your need to enter Canada must outweigh the health or safety risks to Canadian society. This final decision is made by an immigration officer and they must use their discretion, knowledge and resources of immigration to determine if you are not a risk to Canadians. You must prove that you are admissible and not a risk, just like you would prove your innocence in court.
How to Apply for TRP
The application process for TRP involves certain forms that must be filled out to be best of the applicant’s ability and signed as well as documentation that proves the applicant is not a risk or danger to Canadians. In a TRP, as previously mentioned, you must prove to Canadian immigration why you should enter Canada. This specific aspect of the application process can be one of the most difficult as you need to write a persuasive narrative to justify your presence in Canada. Often times, people are overwhelmed and don’t know where to start with the application process as it does ask for a lot of information. In this case, it is highly advisable to seek out professional help. Akrami & Associates has dealt with many TRP cases and has extensive knowledge on how to compile a proper application for higher chances of success.
Additionally, when you apply for a TRP, the permission is usually issued for the extent of your visit in Canada. For instance, if you decide to visit Canada for a month to attend several business meetings and conferences, then you must leave by the expiry date of the permit. Should you need a new permit or need to stay longer, you must apply for one before your current permit expires.
On the other hand, if you’d like to be issued a TRP for multiple entries, this is also an option but can only be determined by the immigration officer based on your application. A multiple entry TRP can be issued for as long as three years at a time. However, if you’d prefer to have an indefinite and permanent solution for your inadmissibility, a Criminal Rehabilitation would be your best option. Please see our blog on “Who Qualifies for Criminal Rehabilitation” for more information on this topic.
What are my Chances for Successful Entry
In order for you to have a successful entry through a TRP application, you must ensure that you have a well-prepared and fully compliant collection of forms, documents and an exceptional submission that includes why you should be granted entry into Canada. By submitting all of this information to the immigration officer, they will ultimately have the discretion on whether you are allowed to enter. They will review all information and consider a number of different factors; the factors can range from the reason you want to enter Canada to the particulars of the criminal offence. If you decide to go with an immigration professional, such as Akrami & Associates, we can give you an idea of whether you have a strong case or not. However, as aforementioned, the decision is entirely up to the immigration officer and is entirely out of the hands of the applicant and the immigration professionals.
Contact Akrami & Associates to Apply for a TRP
It is essential that you have taken all of the aforementioned requirements and documentation into consideration before you attempt to apply for a Temporary Resident Permit. Applications for TRP are difficult applications to pursue on your own and it is highly recommended that you seek out professional and experienced help before attempting to submit the application. Here, at Akrami & Associates, we work and have experience with many different immigration issues. We have helped many of our clients gain entry into Canada as visitors. If you believe that you may be eligible for a TRP, please feel free to contact Akrami & Associates at our office at 416-477-2545 for more information or if you would like to book a consultation with an immigration professional for more advise.
With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way!