Temporary resident permits (TRPs)

Generally, foreign nationals who do not meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), or who are inadmissible under the IRPA, may be

• refused a permanent resident visa (PRV) or temporary resident visa (TRV) abroad
• refused an electronic travel authorization (eTA)
• reported inadmissible under section A44(1)
• allowed to withdraw their application to enter Canada at a port of entry (POE)
• refused processing within Canada

In some cases, however, an officer may issue a TRP to allow a person who is inadmissible, or who does not meet the requirements of the IRPA, to become a temporary resident (that is, to enter or remain in Canada temporarily) if it is justified in the circumstances.

Note: In the absence of a compelling need for the applicant to enter or remain in Canada, TRP issuance will usually not be found to be justified. For the purposes of issuing a TRP, compelling need is defined as ‘overwhelming in a powerfully irresistible way’. This definition is meant to assist officers in their decision making and to ensure that it is fully understood that issuing a TRP is an exception to regular immigration processes. As such, TRPs should only be issued when an applicant has provided a meaningful and convincing rationale as to why their presence in Canada is needed. This is necessary to ensure the integrity of the Canadian immigration system as described in paragraph 3(1)(f.1) of the IRPA.

A TRP is an exceptional tool meant to soften the rigid application of IRPA where an applicant’s individual circumstances warrant flexibility. It allows IRCC to address situations that could not have been fully anticipated when the IRPA/IRPR were developed or where strict enforcement of the legal provisions would have consequences that are unreasonably harsh. If an applicant's circumstances can be addressed through existing pathways, it is unlikely that the issuance of a TRP would be justified.

Officers should consider the applicant’s need having regard to the objectives set out in section 3(1) of the IRPA to meet Canada’s social, humanitarian and economic commitments, while maintaining the health, safety and security of Canadians, and protecting the integrity of the immigration system. Learn more about the background and context of TRPs.

• Eligibility and assessment
• Final decisions and issuing permits
• Validity, conditions and cancellation
• Subsequent permits
• Work and study permits
• Applying for permanent residence
• Additional procedures and considerations for
  • Inadmissibility (health)
  • Inadmissibility (criminality)
  • Victims of human trafficking
  • Victims of family violence
  • Foreign nationals who were in state care
  • Removal orders and immigration warrants
  • Stateless children of Canadian citizens