Canada
Overcoming Inadmissibility
The Temporary Resident Permit explained
Some people are considered inadmissible to Canada and are not normally allowed to enter or stay. A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is a discretionary document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada that can allow an inadmissible person — or someone who does not meet a requirement of Canada's immigration law — to enter or remain in Canada for a limited time when there is a valid, justified reason to do so.
01 What is a Temporary Resident Permit
A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is a document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that authorizes a person who is inadmissible — or who does not meet a requirement of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) — to enter or remain in Canada temporarily. It grants temporary resident status for a limited time and may be cancelled at any time.
A TRP does not permanently overcome your inadmissibility and does not allow you to meet a requirement of IRPA. It is a temporary, discretionary measure — not a permanent solution.
Because a TRP is granted at the discretion of an officer, it is issued only when your need to enter or stay in Canada is considered to outweigh any health or safety risks to Canadian society. There is no guaranteed outcome.
02 When You Might Need a TRP
A TRP may be relevant when you are inadmissible to Canada but still have a genuine, justified reason to travel here — for work, study, family, medical care, or other compelling purposes. People can be found inadmissible for several reasons, including:
- criminality or serious criminality (for example, a past conviction, or impaired driving)
- security or human/international rights concerns
- medical grounds
- financial concerns
- misrepresentation
- non-compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or its Regulations
Even if the reason you are inadmissible seems minor, you must still show that your visit is valid and justified in the circumstances. Whether a TRP is appropriate for your situation depends on the specific facts of your case.
03 How Officers Decide
A TRP is discretionary. An immigration or border services officer weighs your reason for coming to Canada against the risk your presence may pose. In general, an officer considers:
- whether you have a compelling and justified reason to be in Canada
- whether your need to enter or stay outweighs the health or safety risks to Canadian society
- the nature and seriousness of the inadmissibility, and how recent it is
- any steps you have taken — or plan to take — to resolve your inadmissibility
If your need to enter Canada does not outweigh the risks, the officer will refuse the request, and you will not be allowed to enter or remain in Canada.
04 How to Apply or Request a TRP
There is no separate, stand-alone TRP application for people outside Canada. Instead, you request TRP consideration as part of another application or directly at the border. The general path includes:
Identify Your Inadmissibility
Determine why you may be inadmissible or unable to meet a requirement of IRPA, and gather the documents that explain your situation.
Apply for Temporary Residence
From outside Canada, submit a temporary residence application — a visitor visa, study permit, or work permit — through your IRCC secure account.
Request TRP Consideration
Within that application, include supporting documents explaining why you are inadmissible, why you need to come to Canada, and why your circumstances justify a permit.
At a Port of Entry (where applicable)
If eligible to travel, you may tell the officer on arrival that you want TRP consideration. The officer will review your documents and decide whether to issue a permit.
Receive a Decision
If granted, you receive a TRP with its validity period and conditions. If refused, you will not be allowed to enter or remain in Canada.
Procedures differ depending on whether you are inside or outside Canada and on your nationality (for example, citizens of eTA-required countries may use a specific web form). Confirm the current steps on the official IRCC page before you apply.
05 Validity, Conditions and Extensions
A TRP is tied to the purpose for which it is issued, so its length varies from case to case. An officer may impose, vary, or cancel conditions when issuing the permit.
Limited Validity
A TRP is issued for a limited time linked to your reason for being in Canada. A single permit can be issued for a maximum of 3 years (verified June 2026 — confirm current rules with IRCC).
Leaving Canada
A TRP is generally no longer valid once you leave Canada, unless it specifically states that it is valid for re-entry. Check your permit carefully before travelling.
Applying for Another TRP
If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a new TRP before your current one expires. TRP holders do not benefit from maintained status, so apply well in advance.
As a TRP holder, you are expected to abide by Canadian law, comply with your permit's conditions, take any action required to resolve your inadmissibility, and not work or study without the required work or study permit.
06 TRP vs. Resolving Inadmissibility
A TRP is a temporary fix; it does not erase the underlying inadmissibility. Where the inadmissibility is due to past criminal activity, there are separate ways to overcome it more permanently. The right option depends on the offence and how much time has passed.
Temporary Resident Permit
A short-term solution for a justified visit — useful when not enough time has passed to resolve your inadmissibility another way, or when your reason to travel is time-sensitive.
Criminal Rehabilitation
A permanent solution where you apply and are approved by IRCC. Generally you may apply once a set period has passed since the end of your sentence (commonly at least 5 years — verify with IRCC).
Deemed Rehabilitation
For certain less-serious offences, enough time passing since the sentence may mean you are no longer barred (commonly at least 10 years — verify, as it depends on the offence).
A record suspension (formerly a pardon) may also be relevant in some cases. Rehabilitation timelines depend on the specific offence and sentence — confirm your eligibility and the current criteria with IRCC before relying on a particular timeline.
07 Fees and What to Expect
A processing fee applies to a TRP request, and paying it does not guarantee that a permit will be issued. Some applicants are exempt from the fee.
As of June 2026, the processing fee for an initial or another TRP starts from CAN $246.25 — set by IRCC and subject to change. Confirm the current figure on the official IRCC fee list before applying.
Fee exemptions may apply. Generally, no TRP processing fee is charged for:
- victims of human trafficking
- victims of family violence
- foreign nationals who were in state care
Processing times vary widely depending on the type of inadmissibility, where you apply, and the complexity of your case. Because a TRP is discretionary, there is no fixed timeline and no guaranteed result.
08 Frequently Asked Questions
Is a TRP the same as a visitor visa?+
No. A visitor visa (or an eTA) is a travel document that lets an admissible person travel to Canada. A TRP is different — it addresses inadmissibility, allowing an otherwise inadmissible person to enter or remain temporarily. Depending on your situation, you may need both: a TRP to overcome the inadmissibility and a visa or eTA to travel.
Does a TRP fix my inadmissibility permanently?+
No. A TRP is temporary and does not permanently overcome your inadmissibility or let you meet a requirement of IRPA. To resolve criminal inadmissibility more permanently, you may need criminal rehabilitation, deemed rehabilitation, or a record suspension, depending on your circumstances.
How long is a TRP valid?+
A TRP is issued for a limited time tied to your reason for being in Canada, so its length varies. As verified in June 2026, a single TRP can be issued for a maximum of 3 years. It is also generally no longer valid once you leave Canada, unless it specifically states that it is valid for re-entry. Confirm the current rules with IRCC.
Can I work or study on a TRP?+
A TRP gives you temporary resident status, but you cannot work or study on the strength of the TRP alone — you would still need the appropriate work permit or study permit. Always follow the specific conditions printed on your permit.
What happens when my TRP is about to expire?+
If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a new TRP before your current one expires. TRP holders do not benefit from maintained status, so it is important to apply well in advance, as there is no guarantee a new permit will be processed before the old one expires.
Will paying the fee guarantee I get a TRP?+
No. A TRP is discretionary. An officer must be satisfied that your need to enter or stay in Canada outweighs the health or safety risks to Canadian society. Paying the processing fee does not guarantee approval, and a permit can be refused or later cancelled.
Talk to a Licensed Expert
Inadmissible but need to be in Canada?
Our licensed team — Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) regulated by the CICC — can assess your inadmissibility, explain your options, and help you put forward a well-documented request. This page is general information, not legal advice, and no outcome is guaranteed.
