Visa for Temporary Residence

In case you need to apply for a TRV and an extension of your study permit from within Canada, you must first complete the application for study permit extension and then submit the TRV application after you receive the new study permit.

To apply online, go to the Government of Canada's website and log in to your IRCC account. If you haven't done it before, check out our video on setting up an IRCC account. Under "start an application," choose "apply to come to Canada," and then under "determine your eligibility and apply online," select "visitor visa, study and/or work permit" and answer the eligibility questions. If you have a valid study permit, make sure to select "study" when asked what you would like to do in Canada, since selecting "visit" would result in a visitor extension.

Upload the application form and the supporting documents to your document checklist, and remember to re-validate and save the form after making changes. Retain all files for record-keeping purposes, and take a screenshot of your document checklist page. Click "next" to start the submission process and proceed with payment. Take a screenshot of the payment confirmation page.

On the application's status page, download the submission confirmation, payment receipt, and any future letters or messages from IRCC. Once your application has been processed, the Case Processing Centre in Ottawa will contact you through your IRCC account with instructions on when, where, and how to send your passport using a secure and trackable method such as Canada Post – Xpresspost.

Regarding the document checklist, you need to download the application form from your online document checklist and open it with Adobe Acrobat Reader. You do not need to sign the application form when applying online, but make sure to re-validate and save the form after making changes. You also need an official proof of enrollment letter from the University of Waterloo, which you can obtain through the Proof of Enrollment Form. Select "Email" as the delivery method and upload the official letter in PDF format to your online application.

Additionally, you must submit an official transcript from the University, which you can request online and purchase through MyCredsTM or by filling out a form and picking up a physical official transcript at the Student Service Centre in Needles Hall. Remember to include scans of all relevant passport pages, including the biographical page and pages containing content from Canada or another country.

For your application, make sure to include your current study permit as well as your co-op work permit if applicable. If you have renewed your passport since starting your studies in Canada, include all previous passports with the newest passport first in the file.

All images must be merged into one file that is less than 4MB in size.

Proof of financial support is required, which generally includes proof of tuition payment for the current and upcoming term (if available) from Quest. In addition, you need your past four months of bank statements showing the minimum living expenses of $10,000 for the next year or more if you have dependents in the country with you. If you do not have this information, you will need to provide other documents such as proof of funding, scholarship, job, or financial support from your family. You can do that through a letter of support from them and their bank statements or proof of their employment.

Make sure to have a digital photo of yourself taken within the last six months that meets the given requirements. An immigration medical exam is required if necessary. You may also need to fill out a family information form, depending on your document checklist. Download the version given to you, fill it out, print, sign, scan, and upload it.

You will need to include a Schedule 1 document if you answered the IMM5257 Background Information questions 3-6 with a "yes." You might also require a letter of explanation or additional documents if applicable.

Biometrics are not required at this time for in-Canada temporary residence applications due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, if you have not given biometrics before, you can pay the additional biometrics fee, which should be refunded to you when the immigration officer processes your application. If not refunded, you can request a refund using the IRCC web form. Once you receive the Biometrics Instruction Letter in your online IRCC account, there is nothing you need to do.

Throughout the application process, IRCC may ask for any additional documents they need.

Check the estimated application processing times on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. The IRCC Client Support Centre is available from within Canada to answer questions by phone or web form. If your application is taking longer than the processing time posted, you can contact CPC-Ottawa.