Temporary Resident Visa Applications Must Be Submitted Online

Canada has launched new special instructions that requires temporary resident visa applications to be submitted online Due to the COVID-19, Canada will only accept temporary resident visas lodged online.

This policy will only apply to those applying for study permits, work permits, and temporary resident visas (TRV) while outside the country  between July 1 and September 30.

However, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will provide special accommodations for those who are not able to complete their application process online due to disability issues.

Unless an applicant has a disability problem, Canada immigration department will not accept paper-based applications during the effective period of this policy and may go ahead and return the applications and processing fees to the applicant.

This policy is part of IRCC’s special COVID-19 measures to manage immigration application while it operates at reduced capacity.

Presently, work permit holders are able to travel to Canada so long as they are coming for a non-optional purpose. Other exemptions applies, including if a person is coming to Canada to be with very close family member.

Study permit holders are not be allowed into Canada if they did not carry a valid permit as of March 18. This new announcement by IRCC, however, suggests that Canada plans to come up with an exemption for study permit holders who wish to start their studies in Canada this fall.

What is a temporary resident visa?

A temporary resident visa (TRV) is an official counterfoil document issued by a visa office that is placed in a person’s passport to show that they have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident.

Holding a TRV does not guarantee entry to Canada. The admission of foreign nationals into Canada as temporary residents is a privilege, not a right.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply for the Temporary Resident visas (TRVs) for Canada you must be able to fulfill the following criteria:

• Be at least eighteen (18) years old to apply as the primary visa applicant.
• Have a valid government-issued international passport with at least one blank page that is not the last page of the passport.
• Translate all the documents that you have that are in another language other than French or English.
• Provide a clean criminal history and submit court documents to prove it.
• Be ready to pay the necessary temporary visa application fees and visa processing fees.
• Sign and date the appropriate document where necessary.
• Fill and sign a Visa Application Center (VAC) Consent Form.
• Submit copies of your current immigration status in Canada or anywhere you find yourself.
• Have sufficient funds to cover your stay in Canada.
• Be ready to attend interview or give biometric information when requested.
• Go through a medical examinations if the Canadian Consulate asks you to.
• Show that your stay in Canada is temporary and that you will return to your country of origin once your visit is over.
• You must prove that you do not plan to study or work in Canada.

However, depending on the type of temporary resident visa that you are applying for, you might have to comply with other additional criteria.