Temporary Resident Permits

A temporary resident permit is issued to those who can demonstrate that they have a valid reason to be in Canada. A temporary resident permit can be issued for: 

• A short duration, for example if a foreign national needs to travel to Canada for a short business trip or to attend a funeral of a close family member; or 
• A longer time period, normally in conjunction with a work or study authorization.

A temporary resident permit can be issued to a foreign national to either enter Canada, or to a foreign national who is already in Canada and who is, or has become inadmissible. A temporary resident permit can be issued to a foreign national if they demonstrate:

• That it has been less than five years since the completion of their sentence; OR
• They have a valid reason to be in Canada. 

In coming to their decision in allowing a foreign national to enter or remain in Canada, an officer will examine if the need of the foreign national to be in Canada outweighs any potential risk (health or safety) to the Canadian society.