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:
- complete your online temporary residence application through the IRCC secure account for a:
- upload supporting files, under “Client information” in the Optional documents section of the application, containing:
- supporting documents to explain why
- you’re inadmissible or don’t meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations
- you want to enter Canada
- your receipt to show that you paid the TRP processing fee
- supporting documents to explain why
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.
- Pay your TRP processing fee online(opens in a new tab)
- At the end, save a copy of your receipt.
- 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.
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.
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.
Depending on your situation you may need to submit:
- Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409)(opens in a new tab)
- Use of a Representative (IMM 5476)(opens in a new tab) , if you’re using a representative
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, consider using 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:
- Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409)(opens in a new tab)
- Use of a Representative (IMM 5476)(opens in a new tab) , if you’re using a representative
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, consider using 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:
- Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409)(opens in a new tab)
- Use of a Representative (IMM 5476)(opens in a new tab) , if you’re using a representative
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, consider using 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.