Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
What is a TRV (Temporary Resident Visa)
- A TRV is a visa (a stamp/sticker in your passport) that allows you to enter or re-enter Canada as a temporary resident — for purposes like visitor, study, or work.
- A TRV does not itself give you the right to study or work — your status is defined by your permit (e.g. study permit, work permit).
- In short: TRV = entry/re-entry visa; study/work permit = permission to stay and study/work inside Canada.
Why/When You Need a TRV
You need a valid TRV to enter (or return to) Canada if:
- You are from a country that requires a visa to enter Canada (i.e. a “visa-required” country).
- You will be arriving at a Canadian port of entry (airport, land border, etc.).
- You are re-entering Canada after travelling outside the country — and your TRV is still valid or you’ve obtained a new one.
Note: If you are from a visa-exempt country, you might not need a TRV — you may need a different travel authorization (e.g. an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), if entering by air).
Different provinces offer different business immigration programs.