Getting a TRV
If you apply for an initial study permit or Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) from outside of Canada
You do not need to apply separately for a TRV if you apply for an initial study permit or a post-graduation work permit from outside Canada. When your initial study permit or PGWP is approved, you will automatically be issued a TRV along with your study or work permit, if required.
If you will study at UBC for less than six months and require a TRV, apply for it well in advance by reviewing the steps outlined on the IRCC’s website.
If you will study at UBC for more than six months, your TRV will be issued with your study permit (if approved), visit our tutorial on how to apply for an initial study permit.
If you are in Canada
When you apply to extend your study permit or apply for a PGWP, you have to wait until you have received a new study permit or PGWP, then apply for a TRV from within Canada.
Your TRV will normally be issued with the same expiry date as your new study or work permit.
It is best to receive your new TRV before leaving Canada. In general, processing times for applications outside of Canada are longer and you will need to provide more documents. Furthermore if you haven’t provided biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) you may need to travel to provide them.
Apply for a TRV well in advance of travel. Be cautious about booking travel plans before you receive your TRV. The published processing times do not include the time it takes to mail your passport to Ottawa – usually the process takes at least one month. If you must provide biometrics, apply for your TRV earlier to allow for this extra step.
Tutorial: Apply for a Temporary Resident Visa
If your TRV expires before you return to Canada
You can apply for a TRV from outside of Canada with a digital copy of your study or work permit. Review our TRV tutorial, then review the TRV from outside of Canada guide since applications for TRVs from outside Canada are different. Be sure to include any additional documents required by your visa office. To find the instructions from your visa office, go to IRCC’s TRV page, in the ‘Client Information’ section, under ‘Optional Documents’, select your country under the “apply on paper” section, then see the visa office instructions PDF. Make sure to write a letter of explanation and make it clear that you are applying for a TRV to return to Canada to continue studying/working.
Exchange, VIRS, visiting and unclassified students
If you will study at UBC for less than six months and decide not to apply for a study permit, apply for a TRV well in advance by completing the steps provided by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Visitors
If you change to visitor status or your dependent family members are in Canada as visitors, you are not able to apply for a TRV in Canada. Visitors in Canada can only apply for a TRV through the Canadian visa office responsible for their country of citizenship.