Applying for a Temporary Resident Permit at a Port of Entry
When entering Canada through a Port of Entry at the border, it is extremely important that you are complying with the Immigration laws in order for successful entry. The Immigration officers that will be evaluating your entry into Canada will assess your entry with the safety and security of Canadian citizens and permanents residents of Canada. When entering Canada with inadmissibility, this can become a significant problem for the individual as they can be denied entry. In order to overcome the inadmissibility issue when entering Canada, individuals can apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) in order to gain entry into Canada. A TRP essentially allows the inadmissible individual with the opportunity to cross the border and successfully enter Canada temporarily. In this article, I will explain how an individual can apply for a Temporary Resident Permit at a Port of Entry in Canada and what are the requirements needed from them in order to successfully enter.
What is Inadmissibility
As long as you’ve had a criminal history in Canada or the United States, or if you’ve been deemed inadmissible due to other reasons, you are eligible to apply for a TRP. Interestingly enough, Canada and the United States share 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.
On the other hand, you may be deemed inadmissible due to other circumstances as well. For instance, should you have a significant medical condition, you may be deemed medically inadmissible. The reasoning for the medical inadmissibility is due to the person potentially needing or demanding Canadian social services, such as health care. Another circumstance that can cause inadmissibility is financial difficulties. For instance, if you are unable to provide sufficient evidence and documentation to prove that you can support yourself while in Canada, you may be denied entry at the border. Lastly, another circumstance that can cause inadmissibility is illegal employment. For instance, should you have work equipment with you while traveling to Canada or if you have any communication between yourself and a Canadian employer, the Immigration officer may refuse your entry at the border.
Determine Eligibility for TRP at Port of Entry
When applying for a TRP, it is usually recommended to apply through the Canadian Consulate before attempting to enter Canada through a Port of Entry. When applying through the Consulate, Immigration officers will be able to recognize that you have taken the process seriously and want to overcome your inadmissibility. Of course, if you are pressed for time and have an important event in Canada that you must attend, then you may apply for a TRP at the Port of Entry. A Port of Entry is any Canadian border or a Canadian airport.
For criminal inadmissibility, you may apply for a TRP 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.
A very important factor to consider when you are applying for a TRP is that you must demonstrate that your desire to enter Canada must outweigh the health or safety risks to Canadian society. This goes for all types of inadmissibility issues and you must provide sufficient documentation to prove this. However, ultimately the final decision is determined by the Immigration officer who is reviewing your TRP application and they may use their discretion, resources and knowledge of Immigration matters to determine an outcome for your application.
Be Prepared to Enter at the Port of Entry
In order to successfully enter Canada with no issues, all while still being inadmissible, it is vital for you to provide the requested documentation and forms for a TRP application at the Port of Entry. All of the forms must be accurate and signed and the documentation must be valid to support your application for a TRP. Additionally, you should also provide a detailed narrative of why you should be allowed to enter Canada with inadmissibility, as well as how you will not pose a danger or risk to Canadian society. In many TRP cases, individuals get overwhelmed with the requirements and don’t know where to start. If you feel this way, it is highly recommended to contact an Immigration professional, such as Akrami & Associates, prior to attempting to enter Canada through a Port of Entry with a TRP application. If you do this, your chances of entry will be stronger.
Once you arrive at the Port of Entry and will be submitting your TRP application it is also very imperative that you are well-prepared and have all of the necessary documentation for your application as well as being ready for any questions that the Immigration officer may have. Make sure you have acquired all documentation that the Immigration officer may ask for and present yourself in a respectable manner. Please note that not all Immigration officers are the same and many have different ways of approaching visitors entering Canada. There may be Immigration officers that may ask questions in an aggressive or demeaning way; however, you must compose yourself and try and be as polite as possible. If you show any signs of frustration or anger, the Immigration officer has the authority to deny your entry. Therefore, it will benefit your chances of successful entry if you are respectful and polite when answering any questions the Immigration officer may impose on you.
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 at a Port of Entry. Applications for TRPs 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 with inadmissibility. If you believe that you may be eligible for a TRP and would like to submit your application through a Port of Entry, 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!