Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor, eTA, Super Visa)
If you are a foreign national and don’t hold Canadian citizenship, you will need permission to enter Canada as a visitor. In order to do so, you will need to obtain either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). It’s important to note that this requirement does not apply to US Citizens, who can visit Canada without a visa or an eTA.
The following individual’s need either a TRV or an eTA:
- Visitors (Individuals coming for tourism)
- Temporary foreign workers (Individuals coming to work)
- International students (Individuals coming for study)
- Business Visitors (Individuals coming for business visit)
You don’t need TRV and eTA, but one of them
If you’re a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you need to apply for an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before traveling to Canada by air.
Citizens of the United States don’t need a TRV or eTA to enter Canada, but Green Card holders in the US require an eTA.
If you’re not a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you need a TRV to enter Canada.
What is an eTA (electronic Travel Authorization)?
An eTA (electronic Travel Authorization) is a mandatory entry requirement for travellers with passports from visa-exempt countries who enter Canada by air. It is electronically linked to your passport and is valid for five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. This requirement was introduced on March 15, 2016, and ensures a secure and efficient travel experience for visitors to Canada.
What is a TRV and how to apply for one?
The TRV, or Temporary Resident Visa, is a document required for visitors from certain countries to enter Canada. This document is issued by a Canadian Immigration Visa Office outside of Canada and indicates that the holder has met the requirements for admission as a visitor. TRVs may be for single or multiple entries and the duration of stay is determined on a case-by-case basis. It’s important to note that possession of a valid TRV does not guarantee admission to Canada, as visitors must demonstrate that their purpose of visit is temporary and they intend to leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay.
- Certain applicants may require a medical examination if they plan to stay in Canada and have recently visited certain countries, or if they intend to work in certain occupations in Canada.
- Criminal records or medical issues can prevent a visitor from entering Canada.
- Visitors to Canada must be able to demonstrate their financial ability to support themselves during their stay in Canada.
- Citizens of certain countries may need to provide biometric information.
Common Reasons for TRV Visa Refusals
If your TRV visa has been refused, it can be a frustrating and disappointing experience. Some common reasons for TRV visa refusals include:
- Incomplete or inaccurate application: One of the most common reasons for TRV visa refusal is an incomplete or inaccurate application. Ensure that you have filled in all the required fields correctly, attached all necessary documents, and paid the correct fee.
- Lack of ties to your home country: If the Canadian visa officer suspects that you may not return to your home country after your visit to Canada, they may refuse your visa application. To avoid this, you should demonstrate strong ties to your home country, such as property ownership, employment, or family ties.
- Inability to prove sufficient funds: Canadian visa officers require proof that you can support yourself during your stay in Canada. If you cannot provide evidence of sufficient funds, such as bank statements or employment letters, your visa application may be refused.
- Criminal record: A criminal record can result in a TRV visa refusal, particularly if the crime is considered serious or recent. Some offences, such as DUI or drug-related convictions, can result in a permanent ban from entering Canada.
- Medical issues: Certain medical conditions may result in a TRV visa refusal, particularly if they pose a risk to public health or safety in Canada. You may be required to undergo a medical examination to ensure that you do not pose a risk.
If your TRV visa is refused, you may have the option to appeal the decision or reapply. It is important to carefully review the reasons for refusal and take steps to address them before reapplying. You may also wish to seek the assistance of an immigration lawyer or consultant to help guide you through the process.
Major Reasons Why TRV’s Get Rejected
- Inadequate travel history or no previous travel outside of the home country
- Lack of a proper explanation for the purpose of visit to Canada
- Insufficient financial funds to support the intended stay
- Having family members in Canada, which could suggest an intent to overstay
- Lack of employment prospects or unstable employment situation in the home country
- Insufficient personal assets or financial stability
- Inadequate documentation or fraudulent documents submitted
- History of overstaying a previous visit to Canada or other countries
- Illegal status in the country of residence
- Other reasons not meeting the requirements for admission to Canada
eTA (electronic Travel Authorization) visa: Visa-exempt countries:
Individuals from countries that do not require a visa are often refused on the basis of inadmissibility:
- Criminality: If an individual has previously been charged with a crime, they may be deemed inadmissible to Canada.
- Misrepresentation: If an individual has misrepresented information to Canada immigration in the past, they may be banned and deemed inadmissible.
- Previous Deportation: If an individual has been deported from Canada for overstaying their visit illegally, they may be deemed inadmissible.
- Medical Inadmissibility: If an individual has a contagious disease that is deemed a threat to Canadians, they may be deemed inadmissible.
- Human Rights Violations: If an individual has previously served in the military for a country that has been deemed to have participated in war crimes, they may be deemed inadmissible. Additional documents may be required to overcome this inadmissibility.
A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is a travel authorization required by individuals from visa-required countries to enter Canada. The Canadian government has created a non-visa exempt list to ensure proper screening of individuals before granting entry to Canada.
The TRV visa application process can be a lengthy one, requiring detailed personal and family information, along with supporting documents to strengthen the application. Unlike US visas, there is no interview process, and the decision is made solely based on the information provided in the application. Hence, it is essential to prepare a strong application to avoid refusal by immigration officers.
However, many individuals may not understand the process, resulting in a high rate of refusal when they apply on their own. In cases of multiple refusals, it is crucial to extensively address all previous refusal reasons, as officers may refuse the application again if they feel the concerns have not been adequately addressed.
Business Visitor Category:
Various Permissible Activities for Business Visitors in Canada
- Attending business meetings, conferences, conventions, trade shows, and other similar events to gain knowledge and exchange information related to their business or profession.
- Engaging in international trade activities, such as buying Canadian goods or services on behalf of a foreign entity, taking orders for goods or services, and providing after-sales service, excluding hands-on work in the construction trades.
- Receiving training from a Canadian parent company related to a work assignment outside of Canada, provided that the foreign national receives no remuneration from a Canadian source.
- Providing training to employees of a Canadian subsidiary of a foreign company in the implementation, maintenance, or operation of a product purchased or leased outside of Canada.
- Conducting site visits and inspections, provided they do not involve “hands-on” work in the trades.
- Attending board meetings as a member of the board of directors of a Canadian subsidiary of a foreign corporation.
- Providing advice and guidance to a Canadian counterpart, provided that the foreign national remains employed by the foreign company and receives no remuneration from a Canadian source.
The Business Visitor category is designed for individuals who plan to engage in business activities in Canada but will not be entering the Canadian labour market.
This category allows business visitors to enter Canada for a temporary period to conduct business, such as attending meetings, conferences, or trade shows.
It’s important to note that individuals who fall under this category may still require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada, depending on their country of citizenship.
To qualify as a business visitor in Canada, individuals must meet the following general criteria.
- First, there must be no intention to enter the Canadian labor market. This means that the individual will not engage in gainful employment during their stay in Canada.
- Second, the activities of the individual in Canada must be international in scope. The Canadian government assumes that business visitors will participate in cross-border activities of some sort.
- For business visitors working for a foreign employer, the following criteria are assumed. The primary source of compensation for the worker is outside of Canada, and the principal place of employment is located outside of Canada. Also, the employer’s profits are accrued outside of Canada.
Business visitors to Canada should be prepared to provide documentation to immigration officials that supports their intended status in the country. This may include a letter of support from their parent company or a letter of invitation from a Canadian company to increase the chances of being accepted as a business visitor.
Categories of Business Visitors
Services after Sales
Individuals who are involved in providing after-sales services for commercial or industrial equipment may be eligible to enter Canada as business visitors. This includes activities such as repair, servicing, supervising installers, and setting up and testing equipment as per the contract of sale. Additionally, individuals who are coming to Canada to train prospective users or maintenance staff in the operation of specialized equipment may also fall under this category. It is important to note that these activities should not involve hands-on work in the construction trades. Business visitors falling under this category should ensure they have the necessary documentation, such as a letter of support from their employer and a detailed contract of sale, to present to immigration officials upon arrival in Canada.
Board of Directors Meetings
Business visitors who are members of a board of directors may enter Canada to attend a meeting, even if they receive remuneration for their time. This activity does not fall under the Canadian labour market category.
Employees of Short-Term Temporary Residents
Business visitors who are employed by temporary residents in Canada on a full-time basis in a personal capacity, such as domestic servants, personal assistants, or live-in caregivers, may also be eligible to enter Canada under this category. It’s important to note that if the temporary resident and their employee(s) stay for more than 6 months, they may need to secure a Labour Market Opinion and Work Permit. However, for short-term stays, such as attending to their employer’s needs during a visit, a Business Visitor visa may suffice.
Foreign Company Employees
Foreign companies may contract Canadian companies to provide services within Canada. In such cases, the foreign company may send one or more of its employees to Canada to ensure that the work is being carried out to their satisfaction. This may involve supervising the work, providing training or technical assistance, or overseeing the quality control of the services provided by the Canadian company.
Sending employees to Canada for supervisory purposes? Here’s what you need to know about qualifying for the Business Visitor category:
- The individual continues to work for the foreign company as their employee
- The foreign company still pays the individual’s salary
- The work being done by the individual benefits the foreign company
- The foreign company’s main place of business remains located outside of Canada
A business visitor in this category may remain in Canada for up to two years
Foreign Company Employees
The Super Visa program is a great option to bring Parents and Grandparents to Canada on a long-term basis. It offers a multiple-entry visa that can last up to 10 years, with the requirement of renewal after every 2 years.
This program is especially useful for Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents who cannot sponsor their parents for Permanent Residency or are waiting for the process to complete. Additionally, the financial requirements for the Super Visa are less stringent than those for Permanent Residency sponsorship, with a lower minimum necessary income (MNI) and only 1 year of gross income exceeding the MNI compared to 3 years for PR Sponsorship.
To be eligible for a Super Visa:
- To be eligible for the Super Visa, the sponsor must meet the minimum necessary income requirement and provide the most recent Canadian tax return (Notice of Assessment) where line 150 meets or exceeds this amount.
- The sponsor must also purchase Canadian healthcare insurance that covers at least $100,000 for a minimum of one year. The cost of insurance ranges from approximately $2,000 to $3,000 CAD per year, so it’s important to check the cost before purchasing.
- A medical examination must be completed by the sponsor.
- Additionally, a written commitment of financial support from the sponsor (child or grandchild) must be provided.
Depending on the sponsored person’s citizenship, a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) may be necessary for individuals from non-visa exempt countries. If a TRV is required, it’s important to note that there is a rigorous screening process and a high rate of refusal when individuals apply on their own. To determine whether a TRV is necessary, please refer to the list of countries that require a TRV. It’s also important to review the common reasons for refusal of a TRV visa.
