Temporary Residence & Permits Canada
Visitor Visa • Study Permit • Work Permit
What is a Temporary Resident in Canada?
A temporary resident is a foreign national who is legally authorized to enter and remain in Canada temporarily.
While there are several processes to enter Canada as a temporary resident, the top 3 ways foreign nationals can obtain temporary resident status is to apply as a visitor, student, or worker.
Visitor Visa & eTA
Looking to visit Canada temporarily? You’ll need a valid temporary resident visa or an electronic travel authorization to enter the country
Study Permit
Looking to study in Canada? If your studies are longer than 6 months, you’ll need a valid study permit to legally study in Canada
Work Permit
Looking to work in Canada? You’ll need a valid work permit to work legally in Canada.
What Does Canadian Law Say About Temporary Residence?
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) is considered the bible of Canadian immigration. It is the law that governs Canada’s immigration policies, processes, and procedures. Everything Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) does is aligned with IRPA. In IRPA, it says:
179 An officer shall issue a temporary resident visa to a foreign national if, following an examination, it is established that the foreign national
(a) has applied in accordance with these Regulations for a temporary resident visa as a member of the visitor, worker or student class;
(b) will leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay under Division 2;
(c) holds a passport or other document that they may use to enter the country that issued it or another country;
(d) meets the requirements applicable to that class;
(e) is not inadmissible;
(f) meets the requirements of subsections 30(2) and (3), if they must submit to a medical examination under paragraph 16(2)(b) of the Act; and
(g) is not the subject of a declaration made under subsection 22.1(1) of the Act.
If you only read Act 179 of IRPA, many questions arise:
- How can I prove I will leave Canada at the end of my stay?
- What class should I apply under and what are the requirements?
- What is inadmissibility and how do I know if I am inadmissible?
These questions can only be answered by reading other sections in IRPA, the Immigration Refugees and Protection Regulations (IRPR), as well as IRCC policy guidelines and manuals. At Mygration, we specialize in understanding and applying IRPA, IRPR, as well as other IRCC policy guidelines and manuals to successfully help you come to Canada. Give us a call or send us a message to make sure you submit a proper application the first time. Apply quickly, securely, and successfully with Mygration.
A temporary resident is a foreign national who is legally authorized to enter and stay in Canada for a limited period, such as a visitor, student, or worker. Temporary residence is often the starting point for a longer-term plan in Canada, whether that means extending a permit, transitioning to a different status, or eventually applying for permanent residence.
This page covers the main categories of temporary residence, Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs) and Electronic Travel Authorizations (eTAs), study and work permits, maintained status, restoration, and what to do if your temporary status is approaching expiry or has already lapsed.
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) vs. eTA: What’s the Difference?
A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), commonly called a visitor visa, is a counterfoil placed in a person’s passport that allows a visa-required foreign national to travel to Canada and seek admission.
Despite the term “visitor visa,” TRVs are not limited to tourists. Visa-required foreign nationals coming to Canada as students or workers may also require a valid TRV to travel to Canada.
An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an electronic authorization linked to a traveller’s passport. It is generally required by visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to or transiting through Canada by air.
Certain citizens of visa-required countries may also qualify for an eTA for air travel if they meet additional eligibility requirements.
Whether someone requires a TRV or eTA depends on factors including:
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citizenship
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travel document
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method of travel
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immigration history
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other eligibility requirements
A TRV or eTA allows a person to travel to Canada and seek entry. It does not guarantee admission.
A Canada Border Services Agency officer makes the final decision about whether a person may enter Canada and how long they are authorized to remain.
TRV vs. Temporary Resident Status
A TRV should not be confused with temporary resident status inside Canada.
A TRV is primarily a travel document. It allows a visa-required person to travel to a Canadian port of entry.
A person’s legal status and authorized stay inside Canada are governed separately.
For example, someone who wants to remain in Canada longer as a visitor generally applies for a visitor record. A visitor record is not a visa and does not itself authorize international travel or re-entry to Canada.
Study Permits
If you plan to study in Canada, you may require a valid study permit, depending on the length and nature of the program and your circumstances.
Study permits generally authorize study at a designated learning institution (DLI) and contain conditions that the student must follow.
International students must continue meeting the conditions attached to their status. Depending on the circumstances, this can include requirements relating to:
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actively pursuing studies
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remaining enrolled where required
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authorized leaves from studies
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working only where permitted
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complying with any conditions printed on the study permit
Changing Schools or DLIs
Post-secondary students should be particularly careful when changing designated learning institutions.
Under current rules, most post-secondary international students who want to change DLIs must apply for and obtain a new study permit rather than simply notifying IRCC of the change.
The applicable requirements should be reviewed before transferring institutions.
Working While Studying
Eligible international students may be authorized to work off campus without obtaining a separate work permit.
Students who meet the applicable requirements can generally work up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular academic sessions.
During regularly scheduled academic breaks, eligible students may generally work full time if they continue to meet IRCC’s requirements.
Students should not assume that holding a study permit automatically authorizes employment. Work authorization depends on the applicable eligibility requirements and the conditions of the permit.
Co-op, Internship, and Practicum Work
As of April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary international students generally no longer require a separate co-op work permit to complete a mandatory work placement that forms part of their academic program, provided the applicable requirements are met.
This can include qualifying co-op placements, internships, practicums, and other required student work placements approved by the designated learning institution.
Different requirements continue to apply in some circumstances, including for secondary-school students.
Because student work rules can change, students should confirm the current requirements before beginning any work placement.
Compliance With Study Permit Conditions
Failure to comply with study permit conditions can create significant immigration consequences.
Issues can include:
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unauthorized employment
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exceeding permitted work hours
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unauthorized leaves from study
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failing to actively pursue studies where required
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changing institutions without complying with applicable study-permit requirements
Non-compliance can affect current temporary status as well as eligibility for future immigration programs, including certain post-graduation work permit pathways.
Work Permits
Working in Canada generally requires authorization under Canadian immigration law.
Most work permits fall into two broad categories:
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Employer-specific work permits – authorize a foreign national to work subject to specific conditions, which can include the employer, occupation, and work location. Depending on the immigration program, the employer may first need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or submit an offer of employment through IRCC’s Employer Portal.
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Open work permits – allow an eligible foreign national to work for most employers in Canada without being tied to one specific employer, subject to any conditions or restrictions on the permit.
Open work permits are available only under specific immigration programs or policies.
Examples can include:
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eligible post-graduation work permit applicants
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certain spouses or common-law partners
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certain applicants for permanent residence
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other categories established by IRCC
Eligibility depends on the particular immigration program and the applicant’s circumstances.
Extending a Work Permit and Maintained Status
Work permits are temporary and normally have an expiry date.
If you want to continue working in Canada after your current work permit expires, you generally need to submit an eligible work permit extension or change application before your current work permit expires.
Where the requirements are met, submitting an eligible application before expiry can allow a person to remain legally in Canada under maintained status while IRCC processes the application.
Depending on the type of application submitted and the applicant’s circumstances, the person may also be authorized to continue working under the applicable conditions while awaiting a decision.
Maintained status should not be assumed simply because an application was submitted.
The timing, application type, and completeness of the application matter. For example, an application that is rejected as incomplete may not provide the same maintained-status protection as a properly submitted extension application.
Approval in Principle
Approval in principle (AIP) is a term used by IRCC in certain permanent residence processes to indicate that an application has passed a particular stage of assessment but has not yet received final approval.
AIP does not mean that permanent residence has been granted.
For example, approval in principle can be relevant to work permit eligibility for certain spouses or common-law partners being sponsored from inside Canada.
In particular, some sponsored applicants who do not have valid temporary resident status and are relying on an applicable public policy may need to reach the approval-in-principle stage before qualifying for an open work permit.
The meaning and consequences of AIP depend on the specific immigration program.
Extending or Restoring Temporary Resident Status
If your temporary resident status is approaching its expiry date, you should determine what application, if any, needs to be submitted before expiry.
Depending on your circumstances, this might involve:
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extending a work permit
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extending a study permit
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changing conditions on a permit
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applying to remain in Canada as a visitor
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applying for another type of temporary status
A person extending their stay as a visitor generally applies for a visitor record.
Restoration of Status
If temporary resident status has already expired, the person may in some circumstances be eligible to apply for restoration of status within 90 days of losing status.
Restoration is not automatic.
The applicant must meet the applicable restoration requirements and continue to qualify for the temporary resident status or permit they are seeking.
A person who has lost authorization to work or study should generally stop working or studying while restoration and any associated permit application are being processed unless another legal authorization applies.
Submitting a restoration application does not normally give the person maintained status or automatically restore the previous right to work or study.
If you are dealing with an expired permit, unauthorized work or study, or another compliance issue, our page on non-compliance, overstay, and restoration of status covers these issues in more detail.
Is your status expiring soon, or has it already lapsed?
Timely action matters. Speak with a regulated Canadian immigration consultant about your options.
Temporary Residence Application Processing Times
Processing times vary considerably depending on the application.
Examples include:
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Temporary Resident Visas
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study permits
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work permits
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work permit extensions
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study permit extensions
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visitor records
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restoration applications
Processing times can also depend on where the application is submitted, application volumes, the applicant’s circumstances, and IRCC’s operational capacity.
Because processing times change, applicants should check IRCC’s current published processing time for the particular application they are submitting.
Applicants should also avoid assuming that a pending application automatically gives them the same rights they had under an expired permit.
Whether maintained status applies depends on factors such as what application was submitted and whether it was submitted before the existing status expired.
Can I Work in Canada as a Visitor?
Generally, no.
Visitor status by itself does not authorize a person to work in Canada.
Certain activities may legally be performed without a work permit. For example, qualifying business visitors may participate in specific business activities without entering the Canadian labour market.
However, these are limited exceptions and should not be confused with general permission to work in Canada.
A visitor who wants to work in Canada must determine whether they qualify for a work permit and whether they are legally permitted to submit that work permit application from inside Canada.
Not every visitor is eligible to apply for a work permit from within Canada.
The temporary public policy that broadly allowed certain visitors in Canada to apply for employer-specific work permits from inside Canada ended in August 2024.
Today, an applicant must qualify under the regular in-Canada work permit application rules or another applicable immigration program or public policy.
Dual Intent and Temporary Residence
A person can have both:
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an intention to come to Canada temporarily; and
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an eventual intention to become a permanent resident.
This is commonly referred to as dual intent.
Having a permanent residence plan does not automatically make someone ineligible for temporary residence.
However, a temporary resident applicant must still satisfy the officer that they will comply with the conditions of their temporary stay, including leaving Canada at the end of their authorized period if permanent residence or another legal basis to remain in Canada has not been obtained.
The existence of a long-term immigration plan therefore does not eliminate the temporary-residence requirements.
Common Problems With Temporary Resident Applications
Some common temporary residence issues include:
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Weak evidence supporting temporary residence – applicants may have difficulty demonstrating the purpose of their stay, available finances, ties, travel history, or their intention to comply with the conditions of temporary residence.
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Letting temporary status expire – missing an extension deadline can result in loss of status and may require a restoration application.
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Assuming a TRV extends legal status – a visa and temporary resident status are different. Renewing a TRV does not by itself extend someone’s authorized stay in Canada.
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Incomplete or inconsistent applications – discrepancies involving employment, education, travel history, finances, family information, or previous immigration applications can create credibility concerns.
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Unauthorized work – working without authorization, for an unauthorized employer, or contrary to permit conditions can create immigration problems.
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Study permit non-compliance – exceeding permitted work hours, taking an unauthorized leave, failing to actively pursue studies where required, or otherwise breaching permit conditions can affect current and future applications.
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Misunderstanding maintained status – maintained status depends on the timing and nature of the application submitted and does not apply automatically to every pending application.
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Working or studying while waiting for restoration – restoration generally does not authorize a person to resume work or study while IRCC processes the application.
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Applying for the wrong document – a TRV, visitor record, study permit, work permit, and eTA serve different legal purposes and are not interchangeable.
Want to avoid the problems that commonly delay applications?
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How Mygration Can Help
Temporary residence involves more than simply selecting an application form.
Depending on the circumstances, an application may involve provisions of IRPA, the IRPR, IRCC operational policies, permit conditions, previous immigration history, and evidence demonstrating that the applicant meets the requirements of the particular immigration category.
At Mygration, we review the applicant’s circumstances to identify:
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the appropriate application type
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eligibility requirements
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supporting documentation
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temporary-residence considerations
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work or study authorization
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status expiry issues
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maintained-status considerations
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previous immigration history
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potential non-compliance issues
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longer-term immigration options where relevant
If your business needs to bring foreign workers to Canada or support employees moving toward permanent residence, our corporate immigration services are designed specifically for employers.
If temporary status forms part of a longer-term immigration plan, our Canadian permanent residency page explains some of the main pathways to permanent residence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a temporary resident visa in Canada?
A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), commonly called a visitor visa, is a document placed in the passport of a foreign national who requires a visa to travel to Canada.
Despite the name “visitor visa,” a TRV may also be issued to a visa-required foreign national travelling to Canada as a student or worker.
A TRV allows the person to travel to Canada and seek admission. It does not guarantee entry and does not by itself determine how long the person may remain in Canada.
What is a temporary resident permit (TRP) in Canada?
A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is different from a Temporary Resident Visa.
A TRP is a discretionary immigration document that may allow a person who is inadmissible to Canada or otherwise does not meet the requirements of IRPA to enter or remain in Canada temporarily where the circumstances justify issuing the permit.
It is an exceptions-based immigration mechanism rather than a standard travel document.
How do I apply for a temporary resident visa in Canada?
If you require a Temporary Resident Visa to travel to Canada, you generally submit an application to IRCC with the applicable supporting documents, government fees, and biometrics where required.
Applicants outside Canada normally obtain the necessary TRV before travelling.
Certain temporary residents already in Canada, such as eligible work or study permit holders, may also apply for a new TRV when they require a valid visa for future travel and re-entry to Canada.
A TRV does not extend someone’s temporary resident status inside Canada.
For example, a visitor who wants to remain in Canada beyond their current authorized stay generally applies for a visitor record, not a new TRV.
What is the difference between a TRV and a visitor record?
A TRV is primarily a travel document that allows a visa-required foreign national to travel to Canada and seek entry.
A visitor record is a document issued to a person inside Canada that establishes or extends their authorized period of stay as a visitor.
A visitor record is not a visa and does not guarantee that the holder can leave Canada and return.
How many hours can an international student work in Canada?
Eligible international students who meet the requirements for off-campus work can generally work up to 24 hours per week during regular academic sessions.
Eligible students may generally work full time during regularly scheduled academic breaks if they continue to meet the applicable requirements.
The right to work is conditional. Students should confirm their eligibility and study permit conditions before beginning employment.
Do international students still need a co-op work permit?
As of April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary international students generally no longer need a separate co-op work permit for a mandatory work placement that forms part of their academic program, provided the applicable requirements are met.
Different rules may apply in other circumstances, including for secondary-school students.
Can I work in Canada as a visitor?
Generally, no.
Visitor status does not provide general authorization to work in Canada.
Certain limited activities may be performed without a work permit, including qualifying business visitor activities and other specific work-permit exemptions.
A visitor who wants to obtain a work permit must qualify under the applicable work permit rules. Not every visitor is eligible to apply from inside Canada.
What happens if my work or study permit expires before I apply for an extension?
If your permit and temporary resident status expire before you submit an eligible extension application, you may lose temporary resident status and may no longer be authorized to work or study.
In many cases, you may be eligible to apply for restoration within 90 days of losing status, provided you meet the applicable requirements.
You should generally stop any activity that is no longer authorized.
Applying for restoration does not normally give you maintained status or authorize you to continue working or studying while the application is processed.
What is maintained status?
Maintained status can allow a temporary resident who submits an eligible extension application before their current status expires to legally remain in Canada while IRCC processes the application.
Depending on the type of application and the person’s circumstances, they may also be able to continue working or studying under the applicable conditions.
Maintained status does not apply to every pending immigration application, so the timing and type of application are important.
What’s the difference between a closed work permit and an open work permit?
An employer-specific work permit, sometimes informally called a closed work permit, authorizes a foreign national to work according to the conditions specified on the permit.
These conditions can include:
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a specific employer
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occupation
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work location
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period of employment
An open work permit generally allows an eligible foreign national to work for most employers in Canada without being tied to one specific employer, although conditions and restrictions may still apply.
Open work permits are available only under specific immigration programs and policies. Examples include qualifying post-graduation work permits, certain spousal or partner work permits, and other categories established under Canadian immigration law.
Eligibility depends on the particular program and the applicant’s circumstances.