Temporary Resident Visa

 Citizens of some countries require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) – commonly called an “Entry Visa” – to enter Canada. You can check the CIC website for the list of countries that require a TRV to enter Canada, in addition to a study or work permit. Often, your TRV is issued together with your first study permit, and will likely have the same expiry date as your Study Permit.

If you need to apply for a new TRV after you begin your studies at UTSC, you must do so outside of Canada (in person or by mail) at any Canadian Visa Office in the world. If you are in Canada, it is advisable to select the Canadian Visa Office closest to your current place of residence as you may be required to attend an interview at the location where you submit your application. The closest Canadian Visa Office to U of T Scarborough is the Consulate General of Canada in Buffalo, USA.

You may apply for a single-entry TRV (only enter Canada once) or a multiple-entry TRV (enter as may times as you want before the expiry). Application forms and guidelines to apply for a TRV can be downloaded from the CIC website.

To complete your application package, you need to:

1) Complete the application forms

a) Fill out the on-line Application form [IMM 5257]
b) Click the validation button to validate your application form. A page of bar codes will be generated after validating (5th page of the application).
c) Print and sign your application form.

2) Complete the Family Information form [IMM 5645] (make sure to complete all boxes for each person — top and bottom!)

3) Print, review and complete the general document checklist [IMM 5484]. The documents that you will need to collect for this checklist include (but are not limited to):

  • fee payment of $75 (single entry) or $150 (multiple entry) (a money order, certified cheque or bank draft payable to the “Receiver General for Canada”)
  • your original passport (remove & keep your study permit)
  • two passport photos (write your name and date of birth at back)
  • a photocopy of your current study permit
  • proof of financial support (bank letter, portfolio statement, and/or your ROSI invoice showing you’ve paid all your fees)
  • any additional documents that apply to your case

3) Print, review and complete the additional, specific checklist for the Canadian Visa Office that you are applying at.  If you are applying from Canada to the U.S., your additional Temporary Resident Visa Checklist requires you to collect:

  • original transcripts (ordered through ROSI)
  • a status letter (ordered through the Registrars Office for $7.00)
  • any additional documents that apply to your case

4) Contact the ISC to make an appointment to have an Advisor review your documents with you

5) Make yourself a scan or photocopy of all of the documents that you will be submitting (for your records)

6) Send your completed package via traceable courier/registered mail to the closest Canadian visa office. The closest Canadian Visa Office to U of T Scarborough is the Consulate General of Canada in Buffalo, USA.

You can submit your TRV application, documents and passports to the Canadian Consulate General in Buffalo by sending them either to the address in Fort Erie, Canada or to the address in Buffalo (applications sent to both locations will be processed equally).

Courier packages must be sent to the Buffalo, NY address, while Xpresspost envelopes may be sent to the Fort Erie address.

  • Canadian Consulate General Immigration Regional Program Centre
    P.O. Box 660
    Fort Erie, ON L2A 6R6
    CANADA
  • Canadian Consulate General Immigration Regional Program Centre 
    1 HSBC Center, Suite 3000
    Buffalo, NY 14203
    USA

**NOTE: Unless you supply a prepaid express mail (United States postal service) or Xpresspost (Canada Post) envelope, your passport(s) will be returned to you via unsecured regular mail. The Buffalo Canadian consulate general does not return passports through FedEx, UPS, Purolator or any other courier company envelopes – even if they are prepaid by credit card or account number .

To inquire about your TRV application, contact the Consulate General of Canada in Buffalo, USA directly by phone or email them at: buffalo-im-enquiry@international.gc.ca

 Important Notes:

  • We advise that you mail your application to the Buffalo Visa Office at least 30-60 days before your intended departure date from Canada.
  • If you are an international student and are travelling into the U.S. (you may need a U.S. visa to enter the United States), you need only a valid Study Permit to re-enter Canada. A valid TRV is not necessary for re-entry into Canada as long as your Study Permit is still valid. Please consult the official CIC policy before departure to ensure that you will not be delayed at the border.
  • Applicants for the Temporary Residence Visa are occasionally requested for an interview at the Visa Office where the application was processed. Your application will not proceed if you do not attend the requested interview. If you cancel a scheduled appointment, your TRV application will be withdrawn. If you do not attend an appointment and have not cancelled, your TRV application will be refused and a note of refusal will be placed in your immigration file.