Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)

If you’re a citizen of a visa-required country, you will need a TRV to travel to or re-enter Canada.

If you are from a visa-exempt country, you will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada by air.

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents of the US do not require TRVs or eTAs.

Check entry requirements by country and the find out if you need a visa to travel to Canada tool for more information. Once you are in Canada, you are not required to have a valid TRV since it is only needed for entry to Canada. However, it is highly recommended to always have a valid TRV in case you have an unexpected trip abroad. Otherwise you must apply for a TRV from outside Canada, which may take a long time, and you may not be able to return to Canada in time to resume studies or work.

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Exchange, VIRS, visiting and unclassified students

If you will study at UBC for less than six months, apply for a TRV as soon as you receive your Letter of Admission by completing the steps provided by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Visitors

If you change to visitor status or your dependent family members are in Canada as visitors, you are not able to apply for a TRV through the inside Canada process. Visitors in Canada can only apply for a TRV through the Canadian visa office responsible for their country of citizenship.

Travelling outside of Canada during your studies

You must have a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to re-enter Canada if you’re planning to travel outside of Canada during your studies. US citizens and lawful permanent residents of the US do not require TRVs or eTAs.

Before making any travel plans, check travelling outside of Canada and the Travelling to Canada Guide for your return.

If you get a new passport

If you have received a new passport or you will renew your passport while abroad and your TRV is in your previous passport, you can continue using your TRV until it expires. You will need to travel with both your old passport with the TRV and your new passport. 

TRV validity and change of status 

TRVs are valid until the expiry date listed on the document, unlike study permits, which become automatically invalid 90 days after your letter of completion first becomes available. 

You can also continue using your TRV if it says ‘visitor’ (V-1), ‘student’ (S-1) or ‘worker’ (W-1), even if that is not your status. For example if you previously had a study permit and now have a Post-Graduation Work Permit, your TRV is normally valid if it has not expired. 

As of July 2021, you may be issued a TRV with a ‘V-1’ code, even if you applied for a study or work permit. This is not an error and you can use your TRV until the expiry date.

Travelling to the United States

You don’t need a valid TRV to re-enter Canada if you meet all of the following:

• Have a valid study permit or work permit, or hold valid visitor status in Canada
• Leave Canada to visit only the United States
• Return to Canada by the end of the authorized period of your stay in Canada

You can reference the TRV exemptions from the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations Section 190(3)(f). 

In addition, be sure to meet US immigration requirements. Note that we cannot provide US immigration advice.

You can connect with International Student Advising for questions related to immigration, health insurance, and life as an international student in Canada.