A temporary resident visa is an official document issued by a visa office abroad that is placed in your passport to show that you have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident (either as a visitor, student, or worker).

A valid temporary resident visa is not a guarantee of entry into Canada; an officer at the port of entry will decide if you still meet the requirements for admission when you arrive. If there has been a change in circumstances between the date of your application and your arrival in Canada or if subsequent information is given which was not originally available to the visa office, you may be refused entry.

A visa may be for a single entry, for multiple entries, or for transit purposes.

Applications should be made at least one month before your intended departure date.

Note: If you are mailing your application, allow up to eight weeks for it to be received as mail services can vary.

• satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada

• show that you have enough money to maintain yourself and your family members in Canada and to return home;

• not intend to work or study in Canada unless authorized to do so;

• be law abiding and have no record of criminal activity (you may be asked to provide a Police Clearance Certificate);

• not be a risk to the security of Canada;

• produce any additional documents requested by the officer to establish your admissibility;

• be in good health (complete a medical examination, if required).

Note: Citizens and residents of certain countries require additional formalities which could add three weeks or more to the normal processing period. The visa office will advise you further if such requirements apply to you.

Complete the application form and include the documents listed below.

You must provide the following documents for yourself and any accompanying family members.

Important: Although the documents listed below are normally needed in support of your application, local requirements may also apply. You must satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada. Visit the local Web site of the visa office responsible for your area or contact their office to verify all required documents, before submitting your application.

• a valid passport or travel document that guarantees re-entry to the country that issued it;

• two recent passport size photos for each family member (the name and date of birth of the person should be written on the back of each photo); and

• proof of funds available to support yourself and family members during your stay and to enable you to leave Canada, such as a bank statement, pay stubs, proof of employment or proof of travellers' cheques.

• if you are not a citizen of the country in which you are applying, you must provide proof of your present immigration status in the country of application;

• if the government that issued your passport or travel document requires a re-entry permit this must be obtained before you apply for a Canadian visa; and

• additional documents may be required

Children under 19 years of age who are travelling alone, must have information on the person who will be responsible for them. If the child is the subject of a custody order, proof of custody and the other parent's consent must also be provided. Minors travelling without their parents require a letter of permission to travel, from the non-accompanying parent(s) and a letter from their custodian in Canada.

Your spouse or common-law partner and children who wish to visit Canada must apply for permission to do so. As long as you all apply together it will not be necessary for each person to fill out separate application forms. List the names and other information about your family members in the appropriate space on the application. If you require more space, attach a separate piece of paper and indicate the number and letter that you are answering.

Dependent children may be your own children or those of your spouse or common-law partner. They must:

• be under the age of 22 and not a spouse or common-law partner; or,

• have depended substantially on the financial support of a parent and have been continuously enrolled and in attendance as full-time students in a post secondary institution accredited by the relevant government authority since before the age of 22 (or since becoming a spouse or a common-law partner, if they married or entered into a common-law relationship before the age of 22); or,

• have depended substantially on the financial support of a parents since before the age of 22 and unable to provide for themselves due to a medical condition.

Your spouse or common law partner and children must meet all the requirements for temporary residents to Canada. They must satisfy an officer that they are genuine temporary residents who will be in Canada for a temporary stay. They may be required to provide evidence that they are law abiding and have no criminal record. If your family member applies for a TRV, they must also meet all the conditions to obtain a visa.

Include them on your application by providing their names and other information in the appropriate space on the application form.

Important: You may be required to provide a marriage certificate and birth certificates for any accompanying family members. If you are in a common-law relationship and your common-law partner will accompany you to Canada, you may be required to complete the enclosed form, Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409). Also provide evidence outlined on the form to support your relationship.

A temporary resident may also take a program of study up to six months duration without having to obtain a study permit.

If you intend to study or work in Canada during your visit, you must include full details of the proposed work or study in your application.

Please submit your application to the Canadian visa office responsible for your area for processing. You should consult the local Web site or office regarding accepted methods of submitting applications. (i.e. general mail, in person, by courier etc.)

Your application will be reviewed to ensure it has been completed correctly and contains all of the required documents for processing. After reviewing your application, an officer will decide if an interview is necessary. If so, you will be informed of the time and place.

If your application is refused, your passport and documents will be returned to you with an explanation of why your application was refused.

Note: If fraudulent documents are used, they will not be returned.

If your application is approved, your passport and documents will be returned to you with the requested visa.

If you move or change your address, telephone or fax number before your application has been processed, you must advise us of this new information by contacting the visa office where you submitted your application