Replacement of Temporary Resident Visa | Lost or damaged TRV stickers
IRCC attaches a counterfoil to your passport when they issue a TRV. Of course, a TRV allows you to board an airplane and travel to Canada as a visitor, student, or worker. However, you sometimes lose your passport. In other situations, someone may steal your passport, or significant damage to it could make the TRV sticker useless. Let’s explore the replacement of a temporary resident visa when you are outside Canada. Regardless, I have another article for those who are inside Canada.
- The need for a new TRV sticker
- Who may apply for a new visa counterfoil
- How to apply from outside Canada
- Let us help!
Do I always need to replace a TRV sticker?
You may use a TRV sticker as long as it is valid and not damaged. Therefore, even if you change your passport, you may still use the TRV sticker in your previous passport. Of course, you need to hold your old and new passports while travelling. Also, you need to make sure your TRV is still valid.
Attention! If the TRV sticker has passed the expiration date, you must apply for a new temporary resident visa. Unfortunately, the current article does not cover expired TRVs.
Who may apply for a TRV sticker replacement?
You may apply for a sticker replacement if your TRV is still valid. However, you are facing one of the following circumstances:
- You have a new passport and intend to transfer the TRV sticker to the new passport. Nevertheless, as I mentioned earlier, an alternative is to take both passports with you to Canada.
- Someone has stolen your passport, or you have lost your passport.
- The sticker is damaged.
- Your passport is significantly damaged.
Please note that my focus is on outside-Canada cases in this article. Nonetheless, I have another article for inside Canada issues.
How to resolve the problem
To replace the TRV sticker, take the following steps. Nevertheless, remember the only option is an on-paper application.
- Pay the $30 Verification of Status processing fee online. Print the receipt as you need to include it in your application package.
- Visit the nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC). You have to go in person. However, contact them directly for alternative options. Also, keep in mind the VAC may ask you to sign a consent letter and pay extra fees.
- Submit your old passport that includes the valid TRV. However, if you are dealing with a lost or stolen passport, please present the police report and other supporting documents. Moreover, make sure to translate all non-English or non-French documents into one of the official languages of Canada.
- Submit your new passport.
- If any of your circumstances have changed, it would be best to fill out relevant forms and include them in your package. Here is a list of potential forms. However, you may not need to fill out any of them, depending on your circumstances. Also, for complicated situations, consult with a professional.
- Application for Temporary Resident Visa [IMM 5257]
- Family Information Form [IMM 5707] or [IMM 5645]
- In case of potential inadmissibility to Canada: Schedule 1 – Application for Temporary Residence [IMM 5257B]
- Forms related to the visa office instructions
- Include any documents that reflect changes to your circumstances. Of course, you may consult with a licenced practitioner for more information.
Let us help!
Please fill out the following form if you face issues, such as TRV sticker replacement. Alternatively, you may book a consultation session with me. Of course, filling out our assessment form could be another option to explore your potential opportunities.
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Would you please fill out our free assessment form if you wish to visit or move to Canada? We will review it for free, but we will contact you only if we find an opportunity for you. Alternatively, you may book a consultation session. Consultation sessions are not free, but you will receive formal immigration advice from a licensed practitioner.
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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