Temporary residents
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
One of the objectives of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act is to facilitate the entry of visitors, students and temporary workers for purposes such as trade, commerce, tourism, international understanding and cultural, educational and scientific activities.
What is a temporary resident?
A temporary resident is a foreign national who is legally authorized to enter Canada for temporary purposes.
A foreign national obtains temporary resident status when they have been found to meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and its Regulations, allowing them to enter and/or remain in Canada as a visitor, student, worker or temporary resident permit holder. Only foreign nationals who are physically present in Canada hold temporary resident status.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada processes these applications under several categories: