Canada is one of the most visited countries in the world and is considered to be one of the most welcoming places on earth.   To visit Canada, the applicant may need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) depending on the country the applicant is from. A TRV is usually required for those who would like to visit, study or work in Canada. Here is a list of countries and territories whose passport holders need a TRV to enter Canada.

When issuing a TRV, Canadian immigration authorities will asses a prospective visitor’s valid reason for the visit, financial capacity to pay for the visit and the likelihood for the prospective visitor to return to his or home country before the allotted period of stay in Canada.

There are two types of Temporary Resident Visa: a single-entry visa and a multiple-entry visa.  Each type of visa has its own fixed period and cannot be used after the expiry date.  It is important to have a valid and unexpired passport prior to applying for any type of visa. Validity period of any type of visa will not be issued longer than the validity date of the passport.  The applicant must arrive in Canada on or before the expiry date on the visa.  If a visitor record, student or work permit is given, the expiry date is marked on the document.

To extend one’s stay in Canada, he or she will have to apply for an extension at least 30 days before the TRV expires to prevent losing the legal status in Canada.  Overstaying in Canada or staying after the permitted date is a violation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) which can result to legal consequences.

Single-entry visa

A single-entry visa allows entry to Canada once.

The immigration officer at the Canadian port of entry will authorize the applicant’s stay by placing a stamp in the passport.  If there is no stamp, a handwritten date or document in the passport, temporary resident status will expire six months from the day the applicant arrived in Canada.

If the applicant leaves Canada during the authorized stay, he or she must get a new visitor visa to re-enter Canada.Getting a new visa is not required if the applicant is visiting the United States or Saint-Pierre et Miquelon and are returning to Canada as long as the applicant:

• returns within the initial period authorized by the immigration officer or
• has a valid visitor record, work permit, Study Permit, or a temporary resident permit (authorizing re-entry) and returns within the initial period authorized by the officer.

Multiple-entry visa

A multiple-entry visa allows a person to enter Canada several times during the period while the visa is valid. This type of visa is valid for a maximum of 5 years or one month prior to the expiry date on the passport/re-entry visa, whichever is earlier.

If a multiple-entry visa is approved, it will allow a person to enter and leave Canada repeatedly during the validity period of the visa. He or she must arrive in Canada on or before the expiry date on the visa. One cannot get a multiple-entry visa for a period that ends after the expiry date of the passport. To visit several other countries or return to one’s own country before coming back to Canada, a multiple-entry visa is required. Multiple-entry visa is also recommended if a person wants to visit Canada frequently.

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