How to apply or make a request

The process of requesting or applying for a temporary resident permit (TRP) depends on where you are located when you apply.

Answer a few questions to get the next steps for your situation.

You’re in the United States and are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident

You should gather all necessary documents and information needed to assess your circumstance, and submit an enquiry through the IRCC web form.

  • Choose Ask about a program or service
  • Choose Other and “Continue to form” twice.
  • Request that your enquiry be sent to the visa office in Los Angeles and that you’d like instructions on how to apply for a TRP as a citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S.A.

You need a visa

There is no separate TRP application for foreign nationals outside of Canada.

  • You must apply for a temporary residence application (a visitor visa study permit or work permit), and
  • if you know you are inadmissible or do not meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, you may request TRP consideration as part of your application.

How to request a TRP

You must:

Find out how to combine multiple documents into 1 file(opens in a new tab) .

You may have to attend an interview so that an officer can assess your application.

Paying your fees

Temporary resident application fees

The fees for your visitor visa, study permit, or work permit can be paid directly within the online application.

TRP processing fee

Your TRP processing fee must be paid separately from your other fees.

  1. Pay your TRP processing fee online(opens in a new tab) 
  2. At the end, save a copy of your receipt.
  3. Upload the receipt to your online application.

The TRP processing fee will not be refunded if we refuse your request for a TRP.

You need an eTA

There is no separate TRP application for foreign nationals outside of Canada. You can request a TRP when you apply for temporary residence.

How to request a TRP

If you’re a citizen of an eTA-required country(opens in a new tab) , and know that you’re inadmissible to Canada, submit a web form(opens in a new tab) .

  • Choose Ask about a program or service
  • Choose Visiting Canada and “Continue to form” twice.
  • Request instructions on how to apply for a TRP as a citizen of an eTA-required country.

Apply for a TRP from inside Canada as a victim of human trafficking

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking and you need help right away, please call:

  • the human trafficking hotline at 1-833-900-1010
  • your local police 
  • dial 911

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking without legal status in Canada, you may apply for a special temporary resident permit (TRP). This special permit gives you temporary immigration status in Canada.

Find out how to apply

Apply for a TRP from inside Canada as a victim of family violence

If someone is threatening or abusing you, get help right away. Please call 9-1-1 or your local police in an emergency.

We can help protect you by giving you a special permit to stay in Canada. It’s called a temporary resident permit (TRP) for victims of family violence. It will give you temporary resident status in Canada so you can escape your situation and think about your next steps.

Find out how to apply

Apply for a TRP from inside Canada as a foreign national who was in state care

In some cases, provincial and territorial child welfare agencies didn’t apply for permanent residence or citizenship on behalf of eligible foreign national children in their care, and, as a result, you may have lost your permanent resident or temporary resident status.

If you came to Canada under the age of 19, and were under the legal responsibility of the child protection system, you may apply for a TRP for yourself and your eligible family members.

Apply for a TRP from inside Canada

1. Gather your documents

Gather the documents indicated in the Document Checklist (IMM 5557)(opens in a new tab) .

2. Complete the forms

Read the instruction guide(opens in a new tab)  for instructions on how to complete your application.

Complete the Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Visitor or Temporary Resident Permit Holder (IMM 5708)(opens in a new tab) .

Depending on your situation you may need to submit:

3. Pay the required fees

You must pay the Temporary resident permit processing fee online(opens in a new tab) .

Mail and save a copy of your receipt

At the end, click on the button to print 2 copies of the receipt.

  • Attach a copy of this receipt to your completed application before you mail it.
  • Keep the second copy of the receipt for your records.

4. Mail your application

Do not include a prepaid envelope with your application.

Put the following documents in a 23 cm x 30.5 cm (9″ x 12″) envelope:

  • the completed forms
  • supporting documents
  • fee payment receipt

If you are applying as a family, send all the documents in one envelope.

Write your name and address in the top left-hand corner of the envelope.

Send your application to:

New Waterford Digitization Centre
Temporary Resident Permits
P.O. Box 8400
Sydney NS B1P 0G6

Have the post office weigh your envelope so you put enough postage on it before you mail it.

Use a courier to submit your paper application

Due to the labour disruption at Canada Post, you need to use another courier to send us your application. Use one that offers tracking so you have proof your application was delivered.

Find out how to check if your application has been received.

Apply for a TRP and a study permit from inside Canada

1. Gather your documents

Gather the documents indicated in the Document Checklist (IMM 5557)(opens in a new tab) .

Do not complete form IMM 5708. You'll complete form IMM 5709 instead.

2. Complete the forms

Read the instruction guide(opens in a new tab)  for instructions on how to complete your application.

Complete the Application to change conditions, extend my stay or remain in Canada as a student [IMM 5709](opens in a new tab) .

  • On Question 3, select both “Apply for a study permit for the first time or extend my study permit” and “Get a new temporary resident permit”

Depending on your situation you may need to submit:

3. Pay the required fees

You must pay the processing fees online(opens in a new tab) .

In most cases, your fees will include the processing fees for the:

  • study permit or study permit extension
  • temporary resident permit

Mail and save a copy of your receipt

At the end, click on the button to print 2 copies of the receipt.

  • Attach a copy of this receipt to your completed application before you mail it.
  • Keep the second copy of the receipt for your records.

4. Mail your application

Do not include a prepaid envelope with your application.

Put the following documents in a 23 cm x 30.5 cm (9″ x 12″) envelope:

  • the completed forms
  • supporting documents
  • fee payment receipt

If you are applying as a family, send all the documents in one envelope.

Write your name and address in the top left-hand corner of the envelope.

Send your application to:

New Waterford Digitization Centre
Temporary Resident Permits
P.O. Box 8400
Sydney NS B1P 0G6

Have the post office weigh your envelope so you put enough postage on it before you mail it.

Use a courier to submit your paper application

Due to the labour disruption at Canada Post, you need to use another courier to send us your application. Use one that offers tracking so you have proof your application was delivered.

Find out how to check if your application has been received.

Apply for a TRP and an open work permit from inside Canada

1. Gather your documents

Gather the documents indicated in the Document Checklist (IMM 5557)(opens in a new tab) .

Do not complete form IMM 5708. You'll complete form IMM 5710 instead.

2. Complete the forms

Read the instruction guide(opens in a new tab)  for instructions on how to complete the application forms.

Complete the Application to change conditions, extend my stay or remain in Canada as a worker [IMM 5710](opens in a new tab) .

  • On Question 3, select “Get a new temporary resident permit” and “Apply for a work permit for the first time or with a new employer”.
  • Under Details of intended work in Canada
    • Select “Open Work Permit” as the type of work permit for question 1.
    • Leave the Employer section, question 2, of the application blank when you apply for an open work permit

Depending on your situation you may need to submit:

3. Pay the required fees

You must pay the processing fees online(opens in a new tab) .

In most cases, your fees will include the processing fees for the:

  • work permit or work permit extension
  • temporary resident permit

You’re exempt from paying the open work permit holder fee. Don’t pay this fee.

Mail and save a copy of your receipt

At the end, click on the button to print 2 copies of the receipt.

  • Attach a copy of this receipt to your completed application before you mail it.
  • Keep the second copy of the receipt for your records.

4. Mail your application

Do not include a prepaid envelope with your application.

Put the following documents in a 23 cm x 30.5 cm (9″ x 12″) envelope:

  • the completed forms
  • supporting documents
  • fee payment receipt

If you are applying as a family, send all the documents in one envelope.

Write your name and address in the top left-hand corner of the envelope.

Send your application to:

New Waterford Digitization Centre
Temporary Resident Permits
P.O. Box 8400
Sydney NS B1P 0G6

Have the post office weigh your envelope so you put enough postage on it before you mail it.

Use a courier to submit your paper application

Due to the labour disruption at Canada Post, you need to use another courier to send us your application. Use one that offers tracking so you have proof your application was delivered.

Find out how to check if your application has been received.

Request a TRP consideration at a port of entry

How to apply for a TRP

When you arrive at a port of entry, tell the officer that you want to request a TRP consideration. The officer will check:

  • your passport or other travel document
  • that you meet the eligibility requirements for the requested documents and
  • that your medical certificate is valid, if you need one

If you have a compelling reason and your need to enter Canada outweighs the health or safety risks to Canadian society, the officer may issue you a TRP.

If you don’t have a compelling reason and your need to enter Canada does not outweigh the health and safety risks to Canadian society, the officer will refuse your application. You won’t be allowed to enter Canada.

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2025-09-08