What is Temporary Resident Visa?
Travelling to Canada can be a fun and exciting experience. However, in order to visit Canada, you need to retain a Temporary Residence Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Starting March 15, 2016 Canada has introduced the eTA for visa exempt countries. This is only required for travels coming to Canada via air. US citizens are exempt from this requirement.
An eTA is a big shift in how Canadian immigration works and it is going to change the way people apply to visit Canada. The eTA is for visa-exempt individuals who fly to Canada. Before people could visit Canada without needing to get a visa, but now, these individuals are required to get an eTA.
Most visitors, when they are approved for a TRV, are given a 6-month period to visit Canada beginning with the day they enter Canada. An officer may authorize a stay of less than 6-months. If you wanted to extend your stay in Canada, you must do so within an allotted-time frame or else you must leave Canada.
TRV Eligibility
To visit Canada, there are certain basic requirements you need to meet in order to be approved for a temporary residence visa, you must:
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Have a valid travel document, such as a passport
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Be in good health
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Have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
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Convince an immigration officer that you have ties-such as a job, home, a family- that will take you back to your home country
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Convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit and
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Have enough money for your stay (the amount can vary, depending on the length of your trip and your accommodations)
Exemptions
There are certain exemptions to the basic requirements that you need to meet to visit Canada, if you do not fulfil all of the basic requirements needed to visit Canada, you may fall under an exemption:
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Citizens of certain countries
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Citizens holding specific papers or documents
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People entering Canada for specific and temporary purposes
Inadmissibility
There are certain things that may keep a person from being granted authority to visit Canada. The reasons may range from human rights violations, involvement in criminal activity and organized crime. This is just a small number or reasons why the Canadian government would restrict an individual from visiting Canada.
Other exemptions and qualifications not listed here may apply to your situation. The law is constantly changing and growing and come March 15, 2016, there is going to be a big shift in the way someone can visit Canada. Our legal professionals would be happy to assist you or answer any questions you may have. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
Contact Akrami & Associates
If you like to obtain a TRV and not sure if you meet the eligibility criteria, please feel free to contact us at 416-477-2545 and let us assess your situation if you meet the eligibility criteria to obtain a visitor visa to Canada.