Overview of the process
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Visit the Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) page. |
| When to apply | If you are from a visa-required country and have travel plans, you will need a TRV (along with your valid study permit and passport) to re-enter Canada. Apply at least 3 months before your planned departure from Canada or immediately after you have extended your study/work permit. |
| Cost | $100.00 CAD and $85.00 CAD for biometrics, if applicable |
| Processing time | Check the Canadian government website for weekly updates. |
| How to apply | Online through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website Alternate option: You can only apply by paper if you are unable to apply online because of a disability, or your identity or travel document was issued to a refugee, stateless person or a non-citizen. Fill out the forms, gather all required documents and send to the IRCC Case Processing Centre in Ottawa, Ontario Applying for family members: When generating your checklist for your family members through IRCC’s online system, the correct forms (e.g. [IMM5257]) will not be triggered for your family members. Unfortunately, the system generates a different form: [IMM5708]. If you submit this form, you will be asking for your family members’ status to change, not applying for a TRV. Therefore, please submit separate applications for each family member. Please speak with International Student Advising to go through this process in more detail. |
| Application form | To avoid delays with your application, always download the most current form from the IRCC website. Applying online: Application for Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside of Canada [IMM5257E] (Choose this form even if you are applying from within Canada.) Applying by paper: Application for Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) [IMM5257E] |
Create your document checklist
Applying online
- Create an IRCC Secure Account on the IRCC website.
- Complete the questionnaire to generate a checklist of application forms and required documents.
- When answering the question “what would you like to do in Canada?” on the online questionnaire, please answer “study” to the question.
- Answering “visit” will generate the wrong document checklist.
- After completing the questionnaire, you will be guided to a screen titled “Your document checklist”.
Applying by paper
Download the document checklist [IMM5721].
Gather your required documents
You’ll need to prepare your transcript, Letter of Enrolment, a copy of your passport, and more.
Complete the application form
Your application form is an important part of your application. Missing or incorrect information can negatively impact the outcome of your application. Follow five steps to a comprehensive application.
Get your TRV
You will need to mail your passport to get your TRV. Do not send your passport before IRCC sends you a written request to send your passport.
How to mail your passport
- Purchase two Canada Post Xpresspost prepaid 24 x 32 cm Xpresspost-National envelopes at any Canada Post location. (e.g., the University Village pharmacy at 5754 University Blvd.)
- Put one envelope with your address inside the other so that the IRCC can return your passport securely.
If your contact information changes after submitting your application, be sure to update it via IRCC’s webform.
After you receive your TRV
Add the expiry date of your new TRV into the UBC Reminder System.
If you need help
Before submitting your application
Sign up for the Canvas application review course to go over your application with helpful videos and learn about common mistakes.
Contact international Student Advising
You can connect with International Student Advising for questions related to immigration, health insurance, and life as an international student in Canada.
International Student Guide
Find everything you need to know about life as an international student at UBC’s Vancouver campus.
The information on this page may change
The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) in compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.