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Applying for a Temporary Resident Visa

What is a Temporary Resident Visa?

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) allows a foreign national to leave and re-enter Canada. It is also known as a "visa" or "entry visa."  If you have a TRV and it expires while you are in Canada, you are not required to renew it unless you leave the country and wish to re-enter.  To find out if you are from a country that requires a Temporary Resident Visa to enter Canada, check HERE.

If you have a "multiple entry" visa it means that you may come in and out of Canada as long as your TRV is valid.  If you have a "single entry" visa you are only permitted to enter once.  You may leave Canada anytime, but you must have a valid TRV in addition to your valid study permit to return.

TRV Exemption for the United States:  If you are travelling to the United States (only) and returning to Canada there is an agreement between the US and Canada that allows you to return to Canada without a TRV, provided you have a valid passport and study permit or work permit or visitor permit.  For details on the TRV Exemption Policy see the section titled Division 5, Temporary Resident Visa Exemptions, section 190 (3) (f).  We recommend that you take a copy of this section of the policy with you if you are travelling to the US and returning to Canada without a TRV. 

Getting Started:

Gather the following:

  • Letter of acceptance AND Proof of Next Terms Enrolment. Graduate students contact the School of Graduate Studies for a letter and Undergraduate students contact the UNB Registrar's Office.  When you request this letter make sure you have already registered for next term’s semester and ask them to include the academic years you are currently registered for and expected graduation date.  Please note: if you are emailing the Registrar's Office you must do this from your UNB email account and include: your full name, and student number.
  • Transcripts.  Obtain an official current transcript. You can request your transcripts from the UNB Registrar's Office.
  • Photocopies of your current immigration documents. Study permit, work permit, etc.
  • Your passport
  • Proof of financial support (scholarship letter, current Canadian bank balance, etc.)
  • Digital Photo-  Your photo must meet the following criteria:
    • Front view of head and shoulders showing full face centered in the middle of the photograph
    • Color photo with a plain white background
    • The image cannot be larger than 240 (kB kilobytes), and no less than 60 kB (kilobytes)
    • The minimum resolution must be 600 pixels per inch
    • The file may be submitted in JPEG or JPEG2000 format
  • Credit card. Please note: the ONLY payment method accepted for online application is Credit Card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express or gift credit cards that can be purchased at stores such as Wal-Mart, Superstore or Shopper’s Dug Mart.  A single-entry Temporary Resident Visa is $75.00 CAD; a multiple-entry visa is $150.00; a family rate is $400.00.

Get your Personal Checklist Code

Step 1:   Click HERE to go to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website.

Step 2:   Click “Apply Online”

Step 3:  Select “Study Permit-new or extend”, then click on GO.

Step 4:  Under the Temporary Residence heading, follow Step 1 and determine if you are eligible to apply. You will need about 10-15 minutes to complete the questionnaire. Use the answer guide found HERE to help you answer the questionnaire.  If you are eligible to apply online, you will receive a "Personal Checklist Code". 

Step 5:  Write down your Personal Checklist Code. (It looks like this: QK4350881372) It will be valid for 60 days.  Also, print out and follow the instructions provided.

Complete the Online Application

Step 6:  Register/log in to submit your online application.  Click HERE  to register/log in. You can register or log in using either a GCKey or Sign-In Partner

Step 7:  Once you are logged into MyCIC, then select: “Apply Online” to continue

Step 8:  Enter your Personal Checklist Code.

Once you have entered your Personal Checklist Code, you will be guided through the following steps to complete your application:    

  • Upload your documents
  • Review your application
  • Pay with a credit card
  • Submit your application

If you decide to exit at any point, all responses submitted will be saved for 60 days. The next time you access your MyCIC account page, click on the application you have in progress.

Helpful Hints for Temporary Resident Visa Application

  • Once your application has been processed, you will receive a message with instructions on how to send your passport to Citizenship and Immigration Canada this is the last step to complete the process. DO NOT MAIL YOUR PASSPORT BEFORE YOU RECEIVE A MESSAGE FROM CIC REQUESTING YOU TO DO SO!
  • "UCI" is your Client ID number, an eight digit number listed in the box above the expiry date of your Study Permit. Write it without spaces or a hyphen
  • “Visa Requested”, select either “Single or Multiple.” A single-entry visa allows you to enter Canada only one time. A multiple-entry visa lets you enter and leave Canada repeatedly until the expiration date
  • “Current country of residence” indicate: “from” the date you started your program of studies in Canada, “to” the expiry date on your current study permit.
  • “Country where applying - same as current country of residence?" select: yes
  • “Purpose of my visit”, select: Returning Student
  • “How long you plan to stay” / “from” today's date / “to” the expiry date of your current study permit
  • “Funds available for my stay”, provide the estimate funds to cover for tuition and living expenses for 1 year 
  • “Name, address and relationship of any person(s) or institution(s) I will visit” indicate: University of New Brunswick / “relationship to me” indicate: my institution / “address in Canada” indicate: PO Box 4400 Fredericton New Brunswick E3B5A3
  • "Have you had any post-secondary education?" indicate: yes – you are required to include your highest level of post-secondary education, indicate your current program at UNB
  • "Employment", indicate: Student / "Current Activity/Occupation” include: details for your current program.
  • Do not sign or date the signature section of the application.
  • Once you have completed your application, make sure you validate the form by clicking the “validate” button
  • Save the application so that you can upload the document on your online application.
  • Please note: you cannot print and scan the application form.

Processing Times

Check the New Temporary Resident Visa application processing times HERE

IMPORTANT:

  • Before you apply: Check HERE for the list of countries who do not require a TRV to enter Canada.
  • If you came to Canada on a single entry visa, you do not need a TRV to stay in Canada, or to travel to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon (provided you do not enter another country from there.)

Applying in your home country:

Immigration Canada encourages you to apply for your TRV in your home country. (Exceptions apply for some countries. Check with the International Student Advisor’s Office). If you are applying from your home country you may need extra documents from the ones listed above. Contact your local Canadian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission for more details about application forms and payment as application processes can change from one country to another.  You may be required to pay in local currency.  It is important to apply early.

Please Note:  Students from Saudi Arabia who are applying in Riyadh must submit a supplementary form as well as the regular application form and family information form.