Part 1. TEMPORARY RESIDENTS -
VISITORS
1.1 VISAS, PERMITS, PASSPORTS
1.2 WHERE CAN I APPLY?
1.3 PROCESSING APPLICATIONS
1.4 CHILDREN, FAMILY MEMBERS
1.5 MISCELLANEOUS
1.1 VISAS, PERMITS, PASSPORTS
Who is
considered to be a temporary resident of Canada?
What is a temporary resident visa
(TRV)?
What is a work permit?
What is a study permit?
I need both a
permit and a visa. What fees must I pay?
What
is the difference between a single-entry visa, a multiple-entry visa and a transit visa?
I
plan to travel several times to the United States during my stay in Canada. Must I apply
for a single or multiple entry visa?
How
long does it take to process an application for a transit visa?
What
documents must I present if I am just applying for a transit visa?
What does the expiry date on
my visa mean?
How long
does my passport have to be valid if I want to travel to Canada?
Does
my passport have to be valid for 5 months after my stay in Canada?
Do I need a
machine readable passport to enter Canada?
My
visa was issued in London. Can I travel to Canada from a country other than the United
Kingdom?
How long can I stay in
Canada as a tourist?
My children (10 & 13 years old) are both
listed on my passport. Is this sufficient for them to enter Canada?
Who is
considered to be a temporary resident of Canada?
A temporary resident is a foreign national who has been admitted to Canada for a
temporary stay for tourism, family visit or on a business trip, or to work or study. The
immigration officer at the point of entry to Canada (airport or border crossing)
determines the length of stay authorized.
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What is a temporary resident
visa (TRV)?
A temporary resident visa is a visa which is placed in a foreign national’s
passport or travel document, allowing him to travel to Canada once or several times during
the validity of the visa. The decision to admit the foreign national, however, is made by
the immigration officer at the point of entry to Canada (airport or border crossing).
Citizens of certain countries do not require a temporary resident visa to visit Canada.
Click here for the list of
countries.
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What is a work permit? What is a study permit?
A work permit or study permit gives a foreign national permission to work or study
temporarily in Canada.
In most cases, the foreign national must apply to a Canadian Embassy, High Commission,
or Consulate abroad for a work permit or study permit before leaving for Canada. Once the
application is accepted, the foreign national receives a letter informing him/her of the
acceptance and authorizing him/her to proceed to Canada to work or study (or both). The
permit itself is printed and given to the foreign national by the immigration officer at
the point of entry to Canada (airport or border crossing).
The foreign national may also need a temporary resident visa (TRV) if he/she is a
citizen of a country for whom a visa is required. Click here for the list of
countries.
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What is the difference between a visa and a permit?
A visa is a counterfoil or sticker placed in a passport or travel document which
allows a foreign national to travel to Canada. A permit is a document which confirms that
the foreign national is authorized to work or to study in Canada. One or both may be
required. One cannot be a substitute for the other.
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I need both a permit and a visa. What fees must I pay?
You must pay the fees for the permit only. If you also require a visa, it will be
included at no further charge.
If you are accompanied to Canada by a dependent (spouse, common-law partner, child) and
that person requires a visa, you must also pay the processing fee for a temporary resident
visa (single or multiple entry) for your dependent. Click
here for the fee schedule.
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What is the difference between a single entry visa, a multiple-entry visa and a
transit visa?
A single entry visa allows one entry only to Canada, during the validity of the
visa.
A multiple entry visa allows several entries to Canada, during the validity of the
visa.
A transit visa allows entry to Canada for a short stop-over (maximum 48 hours) en route
to another country. If your return travel is also through Canada, you should request a
transit visa valid for 2 entries.
IMPORTANT : The validity of a temporary resident visa can never exceed the validity of
the passport.
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I plan to travel several times to the United States during my stay in Canada.
Must I apply for a single or multiple-entry visa?
A single-entry visa will allow you to re-enter Canada several times after travel to the
United States or to Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, as long as it is within the period
authorized by the immigration officer when you first enter Canada or the period authorized
by an extension of your status. This is no longer true once you leave Canada, the United
States or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon for another country.
You must contact the Embassy of the United States for information on entry to that
country (visa requirements and applications, passport validity, etc.).
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How long does it take to process an application for a transit visa?
The requirements for processing a transit visa are the same as for any other
temporary resident visa. The processing time is also the same. Click here for more information.
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What documents must I present if I am just applying for a transit visa?
You must complete the same form and present the same documents as for any other
temporary resident visa. You must also include documents concerning your travel
arrangements (reservation or ticket). There are no fees for transit visas. Click here for more information.
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What does the expiry date on my visa mean?
The expiry date on the top line of the visa is the date by which you must arrive in
Canada, not the date by which you must leave Canada.
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How long does my passport have to be valid if I want to travel to Canada?
The passport must be valid for at least one day beyond your stay in Canada.
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Does my passport have to be valid for 5 months after my stay in Canada?
No, the passport must be valid for at least one day beyond your stay in Canada.
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Do I need a machine readable passport to enter Canada?
A machine readable passport is not required to enter Canada.
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My visa was issued in London. Can I travel to Canada from a country other than
the United Kingdom?
Yes. You may enter Canada from any point of departure and through any point of
entry (airport or border crossing).
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How long can I stay in Canada as a tourist?
When you arrive in Canada, the immigration officer will decide whether you can be
admitted to Canada and, if he/she is satisfied that you intend to stay only temporarily,
will decide how long you are allowed to stay. Unless otherwise specified, you are
authorized to stay up to six months. You must leave Canada by that date or, if you plan to
remain longer in Canada, at least three weeks before that date, apply to prolong your
status.
Click here for information on general conditions
for admission to Canada as a visitor or temporary resident.
Click here for
information on how to apply for an extension of your status whilst in Canada.
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My children (10 & 13
years old) are both listed on my passport. Is this sufficient for them to enter Canada?
Children under the age of 18 may travel to Canada using their parents' passport, as
long as they are travelling with the parent who is the holder of the passport. Children
travelling on their own must have their own passports and cannot use a parent's passport,
even if they are listed on that parent's passport.
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1.2 WHERE CAN I APPLY?
I am on holiday and am spending just a few days in
Ireland, Denmark, Finland etc. Can I submit my application to London or must I apply in
the country where I usually reside?
Do I always have to come
to the High Commission in person when I apply for a temporary resident visa?
If I submit my application in person rather
than by mail, can I get my visa the same day?
Do I need an appointment to submit
an application for a temporary resident visa, work permit or study permit to the Canadian
High Commission in London?
I am on holiday and am spending just a few days in
Ireland, Denmark, Finland, etc. Can I submit my application to London or must I apply in
the country where I usually reside?
Although it is preferable to submit your application for a temporary resident visa
(TRV) to the office responsible for the country where you usually reside, you may submit
it to London. Click for the list of countries and the corresponding visa offices.
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Do I always have to
come to the High Commission in person when I apply for a temporary resident visa?
You may submit your application by mail or in person. If you send in your application
and an officer decides that an interview is necessary, you will receive a letter inviting
you to come to the High Commission.
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If I submit my application in person rather
than by mail, can I get my visa the same day?
A visa can usually be issued the same day. For citizens of certain countries or in
more complex cases (if further documents are required, if authorization must be requested
from Canada, etc.) the processing can take several days, even several weeks. Click here for more information.
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Do I need an appointment to
submit an application for a temporary resident visa, work permit or study permit to the
Canadian Embassy in Paris ?
No. No appointments are given for this type of application. Applications are
processed on a "first-come, first-served" basis. You must come to the High
Commission with your complete application at a time when we are open to the public. Click here for more information.
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1.3 PROCESSING APPLICATIONS
Is an invitation stating
that my expenses will be paid for me sufficient as proof of my financial situation?
The person who will be applying for a
temporary resident visa or permit is financially dependent on me. What documents must he
or she submit ?
I wish to invite a
friend or relative to visit me in Canada. That person needs a temporary resident visa
(TRV). What document do I have to provide in support of his or her application?
What should be
included in the letter of invitation?
How are passports returned once an application has
been processed?
Is an invitation stating that my expenses will be paid for me sufficient as
proof of my financial situation?
When an application for a temporary resident visa, work permit or study permit is
processed, the applicant’s general financial situation is taken into account. You
must therefore submit proof of your own financial situation. If you are financially
dependent on someone, you must provide a written undertaking from that person which
explains your relationship, along with proof of that person’s financial situation.
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The person who will be applying for a temporary resident visa or permit is
financially dependent on me. What documents must he or she submit ?
The applicant must submit a letter, signed by you, which states that you are
financially responsible for him or her and which explains your relationship. This must be
accompanied by proof of your financial situation.
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I wish to invite a
friend or relative to visit me in Canada. That person needs a temporary resident visa
(TRV). What document do I have to provide in support of his or her application?
You must send him or her a letter of invitation to be submitted along with the
application. Do not sent the letter of invitation directly to the High Commission.
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What should be
included in the letter of invitation?
Click here for
information on how to prepare a letter of invitation.
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How are passports returned once an application has
been processed?
Passports are returned by registered mail to the mailing address indicated on the
application form.
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1.4 CHILDREN, FAMILY
MEMBERS
I will
be travelling to Canada with a minor child who is not my son or daughter. What must I do
before I leave?
My minor child will be
travelling alone to Canada. He or she does not need a visa. What must he present along
with his passport?
I am a British
citizen and wish to go to Canada for tourism. I will be travelling with my adopted child
who does not have a British passport. What should I do ?
I am a Canadian citizen. I have just
adopted a child who is not Canadian and I wish to bring my child with me to Canada. What
should I do ?
I am in Canada as a tourist.
My fiancé(e) is a Canadian citizen and wishes to sponsor me to become a permanent
resident. Can I stay in Canada in the meantime ? What should I do to make sure my status
is legal?
I
will be travelling to Canada with a minor child who is not my son or daughter. What must I
do before I leave?
Click here for information on travel with
minor children.
Click here to find out if the child needs a
temporary resident visa.
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My minor child will
be traveling alone to Canada. He or she does not need a visa. What must he/she present
along with his passport?
