Temporary Resident Permit Canada (TRP)

Updated November 5, 2026 · Canadian Temporary Resident Permit information

A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) may allow you to enter or stay in Canada temporarily despite inadmissibility. It is a discretionary decision, not a guaranteed entry document. Your application needs to explain the reason for the visit and address the concern that would otherwise prevent admission.

Have a DUI, another conviction, or a previous Canadian refusal? Akrami & Associates Immigration Law Firm can assess your records, explain the available route, and help prepare your TRP request. Call 416-477-2545 or 1-877-820-7121 before your planned trip.

What is a Temporary Resident Permit in Canada?

A TRP is a temporary immigration permission for a foreign national who is inadmissible or does not meet an immigration requirement. It can be relevant when an unresolved issue prevents a visit that has a compelling purpose. The officer assesses whether the need to enter or remain outweighs the health or safety risks to Canadian society.

That assessment is personal to your circumstances. A business meeting, family event, or other travel need should be explained with dates, supporting records, and a realistic itinerary. The application should also give a clear account of the underlying problem. A long submission is not necessarily a persuasive one if it leaves the important questions unanswered.

Temporary ResidentPermit

A TRP is different from a visitor visa

A Temporary Resident Permit and a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) serve different purposes. A TRP addresses inadmissibility or an unmet immigration requirement; it is not another name for an ordinary visitor visa. Likewise, an electronic travel authorization (eTA) does not itself resolve criminal inadmissibility. Determine which documents your circumstances require rather than choosing a form because its name sounds familiar.

If you were refused at the border, keep the officer’s paperwork. A missing travel document, criminal inadmissibility concern, or removal order may require a different response. Your first step should be identifying the reason, not assuming that every refusal calls for the same application.

Who may be eligible for a Canadian TRP?

IRCC’s current eligibility guidance covers foreign nationals who are inadmissible or do not meet IRPA requirements, do not currently hold temporary resident status, and have a compelling reason for a temporary stay. Approval remains discretionary. Review IRCC’s TRP eligibility requirements and obtain advice about how they apply to your situation.

Someone planning a short visit after a foreign conviction has different preparation needs from someone already in Canada with a status problem. Tell us where you are now, your citizenship, current status, travel history, and any Canadian decisions you have received. Those details help identify the correct process and any questions that require further investigation.

TRPs after a DUI, DWI, or other criminal offence

A foreign DUI or DWI may affect Canadian admissibility even if the offence was described as a misdemeanor. Assault, theft, fraud, and other offences also need assessment against Canadian law. The exact legal provision, court outcome, offence date, sentence, and later history matter. Do not rely only on the label used in a background-check summary.

For impaired driving, the December 18, 2018 law change can affect the analysis. Older offences may need consideration under different penalties. A TRP may be appropriate for a temporary travel need, while Criminal Rehabilitation or deemed rehabilitation may be relevant to an eligible case. Read our Canadian entry and criminal inadmissibility guide for a broader explanation.

What makes a reason for travel compelling?

Explain why you need to attend, why the proposed dates matter, and what evidence supports that explanation. A business invitation should describe the actual meeting and your role. A family request should identify the relationship and occasion. Where circumstances are urgent, provide appropriate evidence of the urgency rather than relying on the cost of a booking.

Business and professional travel

Prepare the invitation, agenda, dates, Canadian contact, and an explanation of why your attendance matters. Describe the actual activities so any work-authorization issue can also be assessed.

Family and compassionate visits

Explain the event or circumstances and your relationship to the people involved. Ask what supporting evidence is necessary before circulating sensitive family information.

Events and planned visits

Provide the itinerary and purpose early. Tickets, reservations, and a close departure date do not guarantee that an officer will consider the request compelling.

How to apply for a Temporary Resident Permit

The procedure depends on your location and travel-document requirements. Use the current IRCC TRP application instructions before submitting. Instructions can change; an old checklist or a form copied from another traveller may not fit your case.

Applying from the United States

For US citizens or lawful permanent residents currently in the US, IRCC directs applicants to gather their information and use its web form to request TRP instructions from the Los Angeles visa office. Confirm the route before sending a package.

Visa-required and eTA-required travellers

Visa-required applicants outside Canada request TRP consideration with the relevant temporary residence application. IRCC directs eTA-required applicants who know they are inadmissible to request instructions through its web form. The TRP is not a universal standalone online application.

Applying inside Canada and IMM 5708

IMM 5708 is relevant to certain in-Canada TRP applications, not every request worldwide. Separate instructions apply when seeking a work or study permit. Check the current route-specific forms and checklist before completing or mailing anything.

Requesting a TRP at a port of entry

A border request may be possible in an eligible case. The officer checks the documents and decides whether the circumstances justify issuance. Assess that route before travel; refusal can mean being unable to enter.

Prepare before approaching the border

Do not plan around a promise of a same-day approval. Discuss the record, proposed crossing, travel purpose, and available documents first. If a border request is considered, understand what happens if it is refused and whether an advance application is more appropriate.

Call 416-477-2545 to discuss the next step for your trip.

TRP document checklist: what should you prepare?

A case-specific checklist should follow the legal assessment and current government instructions. Start with records that establish identity, explain the inadmissibility issue, and support the travel purpose. Tell your representative about missing documents early so you can discuss alternatives and realistic preparation time.

Identity and status: passport information, citizenship, and your status where you currently live.
Complete offence history: arrests, charges, convictions, dismissals, and any later changes to the court outcome.
Court documents: final dispositions, sentencing orders, and the precise offence provisions.
Sentence-completion evidence: fine receipts, probation records, and documents relating to other sentence requirements.
Police certificates: the records required for the particular application and jurisdictions involved.
Travel purpose: invitation, event details, assignment letter, itinerary, and intended length of stay.
Current circumstances: relevant employment evidence, personal explanation, and other supporting material requested for your case.
Canadian immigration history: previous refusals, removal paperwork, TRPs, rehabilitation approvals, and relevant correspondence.

Write an explanation that matches the evidence

Describe what happened accurately and take care with dates. Explain the sentence and provide proof of compliance. Where relevant, describe changes since the offence and support them with appropriate records. Character references are more useful when they contain specific, accurate information than when they simply praise the applicant.

Avoid submitting contradictory timelines. If an old court record is unavailable, ask for written confirmation and discuss alternative evidence. If a charge was reduced or expunged, provide the order rather than assuming it will no longer matter in Canada. Your representative needs the complete history to assess the Canadian consequences.

Organize the travel evidence

Make the purpose easy to understand. An invitation should identify who is inviting you, the dates, the location, and your role. For a work-related trip, explain what you will do rather than using only the phrase “business visit.” For repeated travel, describe the expected schedule so the request reflects the actual need.

Keep readable copies and a simple document index. Identify name differences, missing pages, or inconsistent dates before submission. Ask how to provide personal records securely. A well-organized file helps the officer follow the evidence and helps you respond if further information is requested.

How much does a TRP cost, and how long does it take?

The government TRP processing fee is CAD $246.25 per person on the IRCC fee list checked November 5, 2026. Professional fees and other application costs are separate. Confirm the amount when preparing payment because government fees can change. The processing fee is generally not refunded if the request is refused.

See the official IRCC fee list. Depending on the process, other temporary residence fees or costs for police certificates, court records, translations, or delivery may also apply. Ask for a written explanation of the proposed legal work and what is included.

There is no single processing time for every case

The application route, records needed, office workload, and complexity affect planning. Document collection can take time before the application is ready to submit. A close travel date does not guarantee priority, and a previous traveller’s experience is not a dependable estimate for your file.

Share the proposed travel date at the first discussion. If a decision cannot be obtained in time, consider whether the event can be rescheduled or attended remotely. Avoid non-refundable commitments where possible. If arrangements have already been made, explain them, but do not treat the booking as evidence that approval must follow.

TRP validity, re-entry, and conditions of stay

A TRP may be valid for up to three years, but a shorter period may be issued and it may be cancelled. Leaving Canada generally ends its validity unless re-entry is specifically authorized. A three-year expiry date therefore does not automatically mean unlimited visits.

For an approval from outside Canada, the counterfoil’s expiry concerns arrival; the TRP status document issued on admission states the permitted stay. Read the actual documents and conditions. See IRCC’s instructions after a TRP application.

Work, study, and subsequent permits

A TRP is not a substitute for required work or study authorization. Holders with a permit valid for at least six months may be eligible to apply in Canada for a work or study permit. Explain your intended activities before applying.

TRP applications do not provide maintained status, including applications for another TRP. Do not assume that submitting before expiry extends your permission to stay. Obtain advice about your dates and circumstances well before the current document expires.

TRP or Criminal Rehabilitation: which route fits?

Temporary travel and longer-term criminal inadmissibility options
Option	What it addresses	What to check
Temporary Resident Permit	A temporary need to enter despite inadmissibility	Compelling purpose, evidence, route, and permit conditions
Criminal Rehabilitation	The foreign criminal inadmissibility covered by an approval	Eligibility, sentence-completion dates, and complete offence history
Deemed rehabilitation	Whether the applicable legal criteria are already satisfied	Offence equivalency, penalties, number of offences, and elapsed time

Individual rehabilitation generally requires at least five years after completing the sentence. It is a different assessment from a temporary travel request. A pending rehabilitation application does not itself permit travel. If an event is approaching while that application is in process, discuss whether a TRP should also be considered.

Deemed rehabilitation is not a blanket ten-year exemption for every conviction. Canadian convictions and foreign record-clearing measures also need the appropriate analysis. We can help identify which records are needed before recommending a route. Learn more about Criminal Rehabilitation or record suspensions.

What if your TRP application is refused?

Keep the decision and a complete copy of what was submitted. A useful review asks which concern was not addressed, whether evidence was missing, and whether the proposed response can resolve the problem. Repeating the same request with a different cover letter may leave the underlying issue unanswered.

Depending on the circumstances, further evidence, a different strategy, or legal review may need consideration. Obtain advice promptly about any available review route and deadlines. Do not assume that another application pauses a deadline or creates permission to travel. An individual assessment is especially important after a previous refusal.

Temporary Resident Permit Canada: frequently asked questions

Can Americans apply for a Canadian TRP?

Yes, where the eligibility requirements and circumstances support the request. American citizenship does not remove criminal inadmissibility. Your location and US citizenship or lawful permanent resident status affect the current application instructions, so confirm the route before submitting.

Is IMM 5708 the TRP form for everyone?

No. It is used in certain in-Canada situations. Different instructions apply outside Canada and where work or study authorization is also requested. Follow the current IRCC instructions for your circumstances rather than an old generic form link.

Will a TRP erase my DUI?

No. It provides temporary immigration permission; it does not erase a court record. Whether a longer-term criminal inadmissibility solution is available needs a separate assessment. Keep the permit and answer questions about your history accurately.

Can I fly instead of drive to avoid the problem?

No. Criminal admissibility concerns entry to Canada, not only driving in Canada. Explain the full route, including air travel and Canadian cruise ports, so the advice reflects the actual itinerary.

Is a three-year TRP guaranteed?

No. Three years is the maximum, not a standard entitlement. The officer decides whether to issue a permit and on what terms. Check both the period of stay and any re-entry authorization before making future travel plans.

Can I get a TRP the same day at the border?

A same-day decision may be possible in an eligible case, but neither timing nor approval is guaranteed. Have the border route assessed before departure and understand the consequences of refusal. A last-minute trip does not remove the need for supporting records.

Do I need a lawyer to apply?

You may apply yourself using the government instructions. Representation can be useful where offence equivalency is unclear, there are multiple cases, records are missing, or a previous request was refused. Ask what the proposed service covers and which issues need to be resolved.

What if I need to travel for work?

Provide the assignment or meeting details and explain the actual activities. A TRP assessment and work-authorization assessment are separate. Pilots, flight attendants, executives, and performers should explain their role and expected travel frequency early.

Does applying for another TRP extend my status?

No. IRCC states that TRP applicants do not benefit from maintained status. Review the expiry date and seek advice before it approaches rather than assuming a pending application lets you remain.

What information should I have ready when I call?

Your citizenship, current location and status, travel date, purpose, offence history, court outcomes, sentence-completion dates, and any Canadian refusal documents. If you are uncertain about a date, say so; the supporting record can be identified.

How Akrami & Associates can help with your TRP

We begin by identifying the issue that may prevent entry and the evidence needed to assess it. We can review the offence and immigration history, discuss the appropriate route, and help organize a submission that explains the travel purpose and addresses the relevant concerns. You should understand both the proposed next step and the limits of what it can achieve.

There is no guaranteed approval or universal application package. A practical strategy should match your records, timing, and intended activities. If you have already been refused, bring the decision so the review focuses on what needs to change. If you are planning ahead, contact us before committing to travel.

Discuss your Canadian travel plans

Call 416-477-2545 or toll-free 1-877-820-7121 to speak with Akrami & Associates about a Temporary Resident Permit. Tell us when you need to enter Canada, why you are travelling, and what records are available.

Watch: Temporary Resident Permit information

More information about Temporary Resident Permits

General information only; not advice for a particular case. Canadian immigration and border authorities decide applications and admission. Verify current requirements before applying.

Temporary Resident Permit Canada (TRP): Eligibility & Applications