Place of application for temporary resident visas (TRVs), electronic travel authorizations (eTAs), study permits, work permits and visitor records

Subsection 11(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) specifies where applicants should submit their applications for temporary resident visas (TRVs), study permits and work permits. The intent of subsection R11(2) is to direct applications to the processing office best informed to assess them, thereby improving program integrity and security.

Applying outside Canada by paper

For temporary residence applications submitted by paper outside Canada, applicants are required to submit their applications to the visa application centre (VAC) that is responsible for serving

• the country in which the applicant has been lawfully admitted
• the applicant’s country of nationality or, if the applicant is stateless, their country of habitual residence

For example, a business person from India visiting London will be able to apply for a TRV at the VAC in London, as long as they were lawfully admitted to the United Kingdom. Similarly, a Chinese student lawfully admitted to Singapore for studies will be able to apply for a Canadian study permit at the VAC in Singapore. A Brazilian national who is physically in Brazil, however, may not submit a work permit application by mail to the VAC in New York City; they must submit it in Brazil.

• List of countries and corresponding visa offices

Applying online

Applicants worldwide have the option to submit an application for a TRV, study permit or work permit using Come to Canada and My Account portal. Applicants can submit an online application from anywhere in the world. Most applicants who are in Canada and applying for a study permit, work permit or visitor record must submit an application by electronic means, with a few exemptions (see Exempted programs from the mandatory electronic application requirement).

The electronic travel authorization (eTA) application is available online only. Applicants can apply using the eTA application form.

Learn more about the eTA process:

• Electronic travel authorization (eTA): About the process

Applying in Canada

Foreign nationals who require a visa and who are in Canada and have a valid study or work permit may choose to apply for a new TRV counterfoil before leaving Canada, through the Case Processing Centre in Ottawa (CPC-O), or online.

• Visitor visa: How to apply from inside Canada

Foreign nationals who are in Canada and seeking to extend their temporary resident status or change their temporary resident status (if eligible) must submit the pertinent applications by electronic means only, unless otherwise specified. For more information, see Exempted programs from the mandatory electronic application requirement.