A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) can be granted to individuals who would otherwise be inadmissible to Canada due to a criminal record, allowing them to enter or remain in the country for a specified duration.

For those who have been denied entry to Canada and are not yet eligible for criminal rehabilitation, a valid TRP is necessary for legal entry. Unlike criminal rehabilitation, which has specific eligibility timeframes related to the completion of a sentence, a TRP can be applied for at any time after a crime has been committed or a conviction has occurred. This means that individuals may receive a TRP even while still serving part of their sentence, such as those on probation or those who have not fully paid fines.

However, for individuals with serious offenses, like felonies, the chances of obtaining a TRP are considerably lower, particularly if they are still serving their sentence.

Applying for a TRP

Once you and your immigration lawyer have gathered all necessary documents for the TRP application, you must submit it to the Canadian government for review. It’s advisable to share any documentation related to previous attempts to enter Canada with your lawyer.

If you are a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, you can submit your TRP application at a Canadian consulate or at a port of entry (land, sea, or air).

Canadian Consulate Applications

To apply for a TRP through a Canadian consulate, you will need to present an application along with supporting documents that explain the reason for your criminal inadmissibility and justify your entry into Canada.

In certain cases, individuals may have criminal records in their home countries due to human or international rights violations, such as unjust charges. Immigration officials will consider these circumstances during the application process.

If a serious crime is present on your record, you may be required to provide additional information to satisfy the Canadian government’s requirements.

While processing times for consulate applications are typically longer than for port of entry applications, this route allows applicants to know their admissibility status before arriving in Canada, reducing uncertainty.

Port of Entry Applications

For foreign nationals with criminal inadmissibility who arrive unexpectedly or with last-minute travel plans, TRP applications can also be submitted at a port of entry. These applications are processed immediately.

A Canadian immigration officer will evaluate the applicant’s need to enter Canada against potential health and security risks to the Canadian public. Applicants must clearly demonstrate that their entry is justified.

The main advantage of this method is the rapid processing time; a TRP can potentially be issued in minutes. However, there is no guarantee of approval. If denied, entry will be refused until an approval is obtained from a Canadian consulate.

If you come from a visa-exempt country, you will need to apply for a TRP according to the specific guidelines of your country, as application forms may differ.

Government Application Fee

A fee of $229.77 CAD is required for each TRP application submitted.