Apply for a visa inside Canada | Inland TRV applications

Unless you are visa-exempt, you need a visa to travel to Canada. People usually apply for a TRV from outside Canada. However, can you apply for a visa inside Canada? Let’s explore inland TRV applications. This article does not apply to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada as they have the right to enter Canada.

What is a TRV?

A TRV is permission to travel to Canada. You usually receive it in the form of a counterfoil in your passport. However, in exceptional situations, a Single Journey Travel Document could also play the role of a TRV. Of course, you could require an eTA instead of a TRV because of any of the following reasons:

US citizens may travel to Canada without a visa. Nonetheless, they may need a work permit or a study permit to work or study in Canada.

Apply for a visa inside Canada as a work or study permit holder

If you are inside Canada, you won’t receive a TRV by applying for a work permit or a study permit. Therefore, you must separately apply for a TRV. Keep in mind that permits allow you to remain in Canada. However, they are not suitable for re-entry. Let’s assume you either qualify for extending your permit or applying for a new one inside Canada. Here are the steps you could consider:

  1. Apply for the work or study permit extension online.
  2. Upon receiving the new work permit or study permit, apply for the TRV online.
  3. If IRCC approves your TRV, you may submit your passport to receive the counterfoil.

Apply for a visa inside Canada as a visitor

IRCC does not prevent people from applying for a TRV inside Canada. Therefore, if you are a visitor inside Canada, you may apply for a new TRV online. However, make sure you have valid status in Canada and mention that on your forms. Also, keep in mind that sometimes IRCC cancels or even refuses applications when the temporary resident is only a visitor. Consult with a professional for assistance.

If you apply for a Visitor Record inside Canada, you won’t receive a TRV. Consequently, you must apply for a TRV separately. Of course, if your TRV is still valid, there is no need to apply for a new one.

What if the applicant does not have valid temporary resident status

Sometimes you are inside Canada, but you do not have valid temporary resident status. Here are some examples:

An indication of not having valid temporary status is that you see the following message on your work or study permit:

“does not confer temporary resident status.”

If you face these situations or hold a TRP consult with a professional regarding your options.

Mailing instructions: Collecting the visa counterfoil inside Canada

Upon the TRV approval, you may mail your passport to the following address:

By Canada post (recommended):

Temporary Resident Visa Section
Case Processing Centre – Ottawa
P.O. Box 8780 STN T CSC
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5A9

NOTE: If you have applied online then use the following address:

Temporary Resident Visa Section
CPC-Ottawa (e-Application)
PO Box 9640
Ottawa, Ontario
K1G 6T2

By private courier:

Temporary Resident Visa Section
Case Processing Centre – Ottawa
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1

NOTE: If you have applied online then use the following address:

Temporary Resident Visa Section
CPC-Ottawa (e-Application)
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1

Of course, these addresses are subject to change, so double-check on the IRCC website. Nonetheless, please consider the following mailing instructions:

  • Place the passport-request letter and the original passport in the envelope.
  • Include a prepaid 24 x 32 cm Xpresspost–National envelope in your package.

You may use a private courier for submitting the package. However, you may not use their return envelope. Therefore, it is better to use Xpresspost both ways. Also, keep in mind that this service is only available to the residents of Canada.

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    Al Parsai, LLM, MA, DTM, RCIC
    Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
    Adjunct Professor – Queen’s University – Faculty of Law
    Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
    Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada

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    Disclaimer:
    This article provides information of a general nature only. Considering the fluid nature of the immigration world, it may no longer be current. Of course, the item does not give legal advice. Therefore, do not rely on it as legal advice or immigration advice. Consequently, no one could hold us accountable for the content of these articles. Of course, if you have specific legal questions, you must consult a lawyer. Alternatively, if you are looking for immigration advice, book an appointment.

    The characters and places in the articles:
    All the characters and locations in the articles are fictional, unless otherwise clearly stated. Therefore, any resemblance in names, dates, and places is coincidental.

    Important Notes:
    For our official addresses, trust this website only. We currently do not have offices outside Canada. Therefore, anyone who claims to be our agent is committing fraud. Also, note that we do not issue any work permits or study permits or similar documents. The government of Canada has the sole authority to issue such material.

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    Al Parsai

    Al Parsai is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (class L3 RCIC-IRB – Unrestricted Practice) in Toronto, Canada. He is an adjunct professor at Queen's University Law School and Ashton College. Al, who holds a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from York University, is a member of CICC and CAPIC organizations. Al, the CEO of Parsai Immigration Services, has represented thousands of applicants from more than 50 countries to the immigration authorities since January 2011.

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