Temporary resident visa validity (expiry dates)

The expiry date on the TRV is the date by which the visa must be used to seek admission into Canada. If the visa is not used on or before that date, it ceases to be valid.

The validity date is NOT the suggested duration of the visit. At the port of entry examination, CBSA officers determine the length of time temporary residents are authorized to stay in Canada.

Typically, when officers are satisfied that the foreign nationals are admissible, entry is granted for a six-month period, unless they hold a Parent and Grandparent Extended Stay Temporary Resident Visa (PG-1 or letter of introduction from the visa office), in which case entry may be granted for a period of up to two years on each entry.

Validity of stay upon re-entry

As per R190(3)(f), foreign nationals who are normally required to have TRVs to enter Canada are exempt from that requirement when they seek to re-enter, if, since leaving Canada after being authorized to enter as a temporary resident, they have only visited St. Pierre and Miquelon or the U.S. (including the Territories and Possessions of the U.S., but not including cruises that enter international waters) and:

• are returning within the initial period authorized by an officer; or
• are in possession of a valid VR, WP, SP or a TRP (authorizing re-entry) and are returning within the initial period authorized by an officer.

An example of R190(3)(f): A foreign national in possession of a TRV valid for 1 year, who is subsequently issued a four-year SP at a POE, may leave and return to Canada after the expiry of the TRV as long as they have only visited the U.S. or St. Pierre and Miquelon and the SP is still valid.

Not an example of R190(3)(f): A foreign national on a cruise ship departing from the United States and entering international waters would not qualify for the visa exemption. They would require a valid TRV to re-enter Canada.

Upon re-entry, foreign nationals must comply with all other admissibility requirements. If they visit any country other than the ones stated above, they are not TRV-exempt under this provision.

In determining the length of stay, the examining officers may:

• grant admission for an additional six-month period; or
• refer to the initial period granted and limit the stay to that period (officer's discretion).