Temporary Resident Permit

Temporary Resident Permit

Canada welcomes more than 35 million temporary residents each year. Except for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, all other individuals require permission to enter Canada as a visitor — either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an eTA, unless they are U.S. citizens.

Who Needs a TRV or an eTA?

The following individuals require either a TRV or an eTA:

  • Tourists
  • Temporary foreign workers (with work permits)
  • International students (with study permits)
  • Business visitors

TRV or eTA — Which One Do You Need?

You only need one — not both.

  • Citizens of visa-exempt countries travelling to Canada by air must obtain an eTA before boarding their flight.
  • U.S. citizens do not require either a TRV or an eTA.
  • U.S. Green Card holders require an eTA to travel to Canada, regardless of nationality.
  • If you are not from a visa-exempt country, you will require a TRV to enter Canada.

What is an eTA?

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is required for travellers from visa-exempt countries entering Canada by air. It is electronically linked to your passport and is valid for five years or until your passport expires.

What is a TRV (Visitor Visa)?

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is a document issued by a Canadian Visa Office abroad confirming that you meet the requirements for entry as a visitor.

Key details:

  • Can be issued for single or multiple entries
  • Tourists are generally admitted for up to six months
  • Temporary workers and students may receive longer entry periods
  • Extensions can be applied for from inside Canada

Important: A valid TRV does not guarantee entry. At the port of entry, you must satisfy the officer that your stay is temporary and that you will leave Canada once your authorized stay ends.

Important Notes

  • Certain travellers may be required to undergo a medical examination.
  • Criminality or medical issues may prevent entry.
  • Visitors must prove they can financially support themselves during their stay.
  • Citizens of some countries must provide biometric information.

Country Checklist: TRV Required or eTA Required?

TRVs are required for citizens of visa-required countries. Citizens of visa-exempt countries require an eTA when travelling to Canada by air.

CountryTRV Required?eTA Required?
Afghanistan YES NO 
Albania YES NO 
Algeria YES NO 
Andorra NO YES 
Angola YES NO 
Anguilla NO YES 
Antigua & Barbuda YES NO 
Argentina YES NO 
Armenia YES NO 
Australia NO YES 
Austria NO YES 
Azerbaijan YES NO 
Bahamas NO YES 
Bahrain YES NO 
Bangladesh YES NO 
Barbados NO YES 
Belarus YES NO 
Belgium NO YES 
Belize YES NO 
Benin YES NO 
Bermuda NO YES 
Bhutan YES NO 
Bolivia YES NO 
Bosnia-Herzegovina YES NO 
Botswana YES NO 
Brazil: *currently have a US visa (eTA), or held a Canadian visa within last 10 years (eTA) *YES *NO 
Brunei NO NO 
Bulgaria NO YES 
Burkina Faso YES NO 
Burundi YES NO 
Cambodia YES NO 
Cameroon YES NO 
Cape Verde YES NO 
Central African Republic YES NO 
Chad YES NO 
Chile NO YES 
China YES NO 
China (Hong Kong SAR) NO YES 
Colombia YES NO 
Comoros YES NO 
Congo, Democratic Republic YES NO 
Congo, Republic of YES NO 
Costa Rica YES NO 
Croatia NO YES 
Cuba YES NO 
Cyprus NO YES 
Czech Republic NO YES 
Denmark NO YES 
Djibouti YES NO 
Dominica YES NO 
Dominican Republic YES NO 
Ecuador YES NO 
Egypt YES NO 
El Salvador YES NO 
Equatorial Guinea YES NO 
Eritrea YES NO 
Estonia NO YES 
Ethiopia YES NO 
Fiji YES NO 
Finland NO YES 
France NO YES 
Gabon YES NO 
Gambia YES NO 
Georgia YES NO 
Germany NO YES 
Ghana YES NO 
Greece NO YES 
Grenada YES NO 
Guatemala YES NO 
Guinea YES NO 
Guyana YES NO 
Haiti YES NO 
Honduras YES NO 
Hungary NO YES 
Iceland NO YES 
India YES NO 
Indonesia YES NO 
Iran YES NO 
Iraq YES NO 
Ireland NO YES 
Israel (passport holders) NO YES 
Israel (holders of travel document in lieu of passport) YES NO 
Italy NO YES 
Ivory Coast YES NO 
Jamaica YES NO 
Japan NO YES 
Jordan YES NO 
Kazakhstan YES NO 
Kenya YES NO 
Kiribati YES NO 
Korea, North YES NO 
Korea, South NO YES 
Kosovo YES NO 
Kuwait YES NO 
Kyrgyzstan YES NO 
Laos YES NO 
Latvia NO YES 
Lebanon YES NO 
Lesotho YES NO 
Liberia YES NO 
Libya YES NO 
Liechtenstein NO YES 
Lithuania NO YES 
Luxembourg NO YES 
Macao YES NO 
Macedonia YES NO 
Madagascar YES NO 
Malawi YES NO 
Malaysia YES NO 
Maldives YES NO 
Mali YES NO 
Malta NO YES 
Mauritania YES NO 
Mauritius YES NO 
Mexico NO YES 
Moldova YES NO 
Monaco NO YES 
Mongolia YES NO 
Montenegro YES NO 
Morocco YES NO 
Mozambique YES NO 
Myanmar YES NO 
Namibia YES NO 
Nepal YES NO 
Netherlands NO YES 
New Zealand NO YES 
Nicaragua YES NO 
Niger YES NO 
Nigeria YES NO 
Norway NO YES 
Oman YES NO 
Pakistan YES NO 
Palau YES NO 
Panama YES NO 
Paraguay YES NO 
Peru YES NO 
Philippines YES NO 
Poland NO YES 
Portugal NO YES 
Qatar YES NO 
Romania NO YES 
Russia YES NO 
Rwanda YES NO 
San Marino NO YES 
Sao Tome e Principe YES NO 
Saudi Arabia YES NO 
Senegal YES NO 
Serbia YES NO 
Seychelles YES NO 
Sierra Leone YES NO 
Singapore NO YES 
Slovakia NO YES 
Slovenia NO YES 
Somalia YES NO 
South Africa YES NO 
Spain NO YES 
Sri Lanka YES NO 
St. Kitts & Nevis YES NO 
Sudan YES NO 
Surinam YES NO 
Swaziland YES NO 
Sweden NO YES 
Switzerland NO YES 
Syria YES NO 
Taiwan NO YES 
Tajikistan YES NO 
Tanzania YES NO 
Thailand YES NO 
Togo YES NO 
Tonga YES NO 
Trinidad and Tobago YES NO 
Tunisia YES NO 
Turkey YES NO 
Turkmenistan YES NO 
Turks and Caicos NO YES 
Tuvalu YES NO 
Uganda YES NO 
Ukraine YES NO 
United Arab Emirates NO YES 
United Kingdom NO YES 
United States of America NO NO 
Uruguay YES NO 
Uzbekistan YES NO 
Vanuatu YES NO 
Venezuela YES NO 
Vietnam YES NO 
Yemen YES NO 
Zambia YES NO 
Zimbabwe YES NO 

Need Help?

If you need assistance applying for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an eTA, contact us. Our team can guide you through each step of the process.