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Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) Holders

A temporary resident permit (TRP):

  • Grants temporary resident status to a foreign national in Canada
  • Is issued for a limited time
  • May be cancelled at any time

A TRP does not allow a foreign national to permanently overcome their inadmissibility or meet a requirement of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

Who Can Apply

To be eligible for a temporary resident permit, you must:

  • Be a foreign national
  • Be inadmissible to Canada or not meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA)
  • Not currently hold temporary resident status
  • Have a compelling reason to enter or stay in Canada temporarily

There is no guarantee that you will be issued a TRP

IRCC only issues TRPs for compelling reasons and at the discretion of an officer. To be issued a TRP, your need to enter or stay in Canada must outweigh the health or safety risks to Canadian society as determined by the officer. Even if the reason you are inadmissible seems minor, you must demonstrate that your visit is for a compelling reason.

What it Means to Not Meet the Requirements of IRPA

You do not meet the requirements if, for example, you:

  • Were not examined when you entered Canada
  • Did not obtain a temporary resident visa
  • Had an expired visa before you entered Canada
  • Did not have a passport or it expired before you entered Canada
  • Overstayed your period of authorized stay
  • Worked or studied without a permit

Work and Study Permits for TRP Holders

Foreign nationals who have been issued a TRP with a validity period of at least 6 months can apply in Canada for a work permit or a study permit.

Protection and Assistance for Victims of Human Trafficking and Family Violence

If you are an out-of-status foreign national in Canada and are either a victim of human trafficking, a victim of family violence, or a foreign national who was in state care, you can apply for a TRP.

IRCC will issue a TRP for many reasons including to:

  • Escape the influence of traffickers or abusers
  • Give you time to explore your immigration options
  • Have time to recover from physical or mental trauma

Fee Exemptions

Victims of human trafficking, victims of family violence and foreign nationals who were in state care do not pay a fee for:

  • An initial TRP
  • A new TRP
  • A work permit
  • A study permit
  • Biometrics

Temporary Resident Status While Applying

TRP applicants do not benefit from maintained status. This means you do not keep temporary resident status while your application is being processed. This applies to:

  • Applicants applying for an initial TRP
  • Current TRP holders applying for another TRP

You will lose your temporary resident status in Canada and need to leave the country if your TRP expires or the permit in force until date has passed and you have not received a new TRP.

Conditions of Your Stay

As a TRP holder, you are expected to:

  • Abide by the laws of Canada
  • Comply with the conditions imposed on your TRP
  • Take any action required to resolve your inadmissibility
  • Not work or study without a work or study permit

Renewing Your TRP

To be issued another TRP, you must continue to have a valid and compelling reason to stay in Canada as determined by an immigration officer. You must apply for another TRP before your current one expires. If your application is refused, you can only stay in Canada until the expiry date of your current TRP.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws change frequently. Please consult a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer for advice specific to your situation. Last updated: July 1, 2026.