What to Expect When Applying for a TRP at the Port of Entry

Applying for a Temporary Resident Permit at the Port of Entry

Many foreign nationals, especially Americans, attempt to enter Canada through the Canadian border at a port of entry. They often bring with them a Temporary Resident Permit application package to present to the Immigration officer. Applying for a Temporary Resident Permit at the port of entry can be quite beneficial as you will receive a decision on your application on the same day, usually within a couple of hours. However, it is always best to remember that a Temporary Resident Permit is not always guaranteed and can be denied. Additionally, a Temporary Resident Permit is temporary and therefore does not allow the foreign national to remain in Canada permanently. Furthermore, in this article, I will address what to expect when applying for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) at the port of entry.

What does the Temporary Resident Permit do

A Temporary Resident Permit essentially allows foreign nationals with inadmissibility to enter Canada even though they may not qualify for a Canadian visa due to their inadmissibility. These foreign nationals can either be criminally inadmissible to Canada, which is the most common, or they can be inadmissible for many other reasons, such as medical, financial or security reasons, just to name a few. In whichever circumstance, the Temporary Resident Permit would assist the foreign national to temporarily overcome their inadmissibility issues in order to facilitate their entry into Canada. Specifically, when a foreign national is applying for a Temporary Resident Permit at the port of entry, they are often required to have a legitimate reason for entering Canada. Without a legitimate reason for entering Canada, the Immigration officer can deny your entry and not allow you into the country. However, if you do have a legitimate reason for travelling to Canada, for instance, if there is a special event happening in Canada that requires your physical presence or you are a business individual that needs to attend an important business meeting, then the likelihood of the Immigration officer permitting your entry into Canada are higher.

Reasons to be Inadmissible to Canada

Whenever a foreign national is applying for a Temporary Resident Permit, they must prove to the Immigration officer at the Canadian border that they are not a risk or a threat to Canadian society. This is one of the most important aspects to show in order for the foreign national to have a chance at entering Canada. Therefore, if you are inadmissible to Canada for any of the following reasons, you must show the Immigration officer that you are not a threat.

Criminal Inadmissibility

If you are a foreign national with a criminal record or past criminal conviction, then you will most likely be criminally inadmissible to Canada and thus will be denied entry into the country.

Medical Inadmissibility

If you are a foreign national with a significant medical condition, i.e. an infectious disease or a chronic disease, then you may be perceived as a threat to Canadian society as there is a potential for infection or an excessive demand on Canadian health services. If this is the case, then you will most likely be medically inadmissible to Canada and thus will be denied entry into the country.

Financial Inadmissibility

If you are a foreign national with insufficient funds to support yourself and any accompanying dependents while in Canada, then you will most likely be financially inadmissible to Canada and thus will be denied entry into the country. It is important to prove to the Immigration officer that you have sufficient funds to support your stay or otherwise there is no reason for the officer allowing you to enter the country.

Preparation for the Port of Entry

Be Well-Organized

The most important thing to do when preparing for the port of entry is to be as organized as you can be and make sure you have all of your information and documentation on hand, in case the Immigration officer requests it. Additionally, it is not only important to have the documents on hand, but it is also important to remember and fully understand exactly why you are inadmissible to Canada. For instance, if you are criminally inadmissible, it is best to understand your criminal record inside and out, just in case the Immigration officer asks you any specific questions about your past. Additionally, if you are attempting to enter Canada for business, it is best to have the proper business documents on hand to show the Immigration officer. It is also highly recommended to be well-dressed in a professional attire if you are attempting to enter Canada for business reasons.

Be Calm & Polite

Many Immigration officers may come across as confrontational, especially if you are inadmissible to Canada. This may be done on purpose to incite a reaction out of you or they may just be doing it just because. Whatever the reason, it is best to remain composed, calm and polite, that way you have a better chance of entering Canada with your inadmissibility. Additionally, it is best to remember that entering Canada can be a long process and you may have to wait patiently for the Immigration officer’s decision. If this is the case, try and be as patient as you can be until you receive a decision on your Temporary Resident Permit.

Contact Akrami & Associates

It is essential that you have taken all the aforementioned factors and information into consideration, if you are applying for a Temporary Resident Permit at the port of entry. If you would like to apply for a TRP, it is extremely important to note that these are difficult applications to pursue on your own. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you seek out professional and experienced help prior to submitting the Temporary Resident Permit application at the port of entry. Here, at Akrami & Associates, we work and have experience with many different immigration matters. We have helped many of our clients enter Canada with inadmissibility at the port of entry. If you believe that you may be eligible to apply a Temporary Resident Permit, 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 advice.

With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way!