How to Apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)

(For current study or work permit holders in Canada only)

The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC) in compliance with
the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice.
Always refer to www.cic.gc.ca for the most up-to-date information, or contact UBC International Student Advisors (RCICs).

WHEN TO APPLY:

At least 3 months before your planned departure from Canada

OR AFTER you get or extend a study/work permit

COST:

$100 (for multiple-entry TRV; single-entry option no longer available)

PROCESSING TIME:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/temp.asp (updated weekly)

HOW:

APPLICATION FORM:

Online (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/mycic.asp)
OR by paper; send to CIC Case Processing Pilot (Ottawa, Ontario)
(http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/cpp-o-apply.asp)

Application for Temporary Resident Visa [IMM5257]

General Supporting Documents (requirements vary; additional documents may be required)

If applying by paper, see document checklist [IMM5721] http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5721E.PDF
If applying online, login to MyCIC (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/mycic.asp), click Apply Online, and
proceed without a personal checklist code. The answers you provide in the Come to Canada Wizard will
determine which documents you need.
NOTE: When you apply online, the title of form IMM 5257 is Application for Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside of
Canada, even though you chose your place of residence as Canada. This is not a problem. You can proceed with
submitting your application online.
In general, all applicants require the following:
Copy of valid study permit OR work permit (such as a post-graduation or spouse/partner work permit)
Passport (Do not send by regular mail see How should I mail my passport? on page 2)

If applying online, upload a copy of your passport (include the bio-data page plus any pages with stamps,
visas or markings). If your application is approved, CIC will email you a request for your original passport.
After you get the request, you must mail your original passport to Ottawa with a return envelope.

If applying by paper, submit your original passport and a return envelope with your application.

Passport-style photo

If applying online, upload a digital photo

If applying by paper, submit 2 photos meeting the CIC specifications

Letter of enrolment (current students only; we suggest you include this even if it is not explicitly requested)
Proof of means of financial support (we suggest you include this even if it is not explicitly requested)
Original transcript (current students only; we suggest you include this even if it is not explicitly requested)
Family information form [IMM5645] (if applying by paper, we suggest you include this even if not requested)
Proof of current employment (current workers only, if you are employed)

International House 1783 West Mall Phone: 604.822.5021

www.students.ubc.ca/international Updated March 2, 2015 Page 1 of 2

Tips

If any of your answers to questions in pages 3 and 4 (Background Information) is YES or you are not sure about
your answer, contact ISD immigration consultants before submitting your application.
You must have a valid study or work permit BEFORE applying for a new TRV. The TRV will not be issued past
the validity of your permit.
If you do not have enough time to apply for a new TRV before leaving Canada, you may apply at a visa office
outside Canada while traveling. However, document requirements at visa offices vary. Read the document
requirements carefully for the individual visa office where you will apply.
Need help scanning your documents? Go to the Irving K. Barber Chapman Learning Commons.
Press the Validate button to ensure your application form is filled out completely. The validate button does not
finalize your application, so you may edit and validate as many times as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a UCI?

UCI stands for unique client identifier, also known

as client ID. It appears on official documents such
as study and work permits. (Example: 0000-0000).

How do I fill out my

mailing address?

A street no. is the location

of a building on a street.
Some street names have
numbers in them as well.

What is a document
number?

A document number appears on official CIC documents. It is usually

printed in blank ink as one letter followed by 9 numbers.

In the details of
visit to Canada
section, what
person(s) or
institution(s)
should I list?

If you are a student or

recent graduate, you may
write UBC. If you are a
worker, you may write your
employer.

How do I fill out the

employment
section if I dont
have a job?

If you are a student or recent graduate, you may write student.

Do I need to upload
proof of a medical
exam?

Most students in Canada do NOT need proof of a medical exam unless (1) you lived in certain
countries for more than 6 months in the past 12 months, or (2) you want to work in certain healthrelated occupations; see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/medical/medexams-temp.asp. You
can click modify my answers at the top of the document upload screen to review/change answers.

How can I sign the

form if I am
applying online?

You cannot sign the form if applying online; upload the form without signing. After uploading all your
documents, you will later be asked to electronically sign your application by typing your name.

How should I mail

my passport?

We suggest buying TWO Canada Post Xpresspost prepaid envelopes from at any Canada Post
location (e.g. the University Village pharmacy at 5754 University Blvd.). Write your address in the
TO section on one envelope and send it with your passport (so CIC can return your passport
securely). If applying by paper, see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/cpp-o-apply.asp. If applying
online, see http://www.cic.gc.ca/submit-envoyer/offices-bureaux-eng.asp.

International House 1783 West Mall Phone: 604.822.5021

www.students.ubc.ca/international Updated March 2, 2015 Page 2 of 2