A TRV will be automatically stamped on your passport once your initial study permit is approved. A TRV can be issued for a single entry or multiple entries. Typically, international students are issued multiple entry visas.
If you need to extend your study permit or apply for your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) from inside Canada, your TRV will not be automatically renewed. You will need to apply for it separately.
If your TRV expires, your status in Canada is still tied to your study permit. A TRV is only required for your entering or re-entering Canada. Therefore, you will need a TRV to re-enter Canada if you intend to travel outside Canada. We recommend students maintain a valid TRV in case emergency travel is required.
❗️If you are from a visa-exempt country, you require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) instead of a TRV.
How to apply for a TRV
We recommend you apply for a TRV online within Canada. The application fee is $100 CAD.
Typically, your TRV will be granted for the duration of your study permit.
Step 1: Create or log in to your IRCC GCkey account
You need an IRCC account to apply for your study permit, co-op work permit, Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), Temporary Resident Visa and more.
This video will provide a step-by-step guide on how to create your IRCC account.
If you already have a GCKey account, log in.
Step 2: Create your own document checklist
Watch our how-to guide.
Step 3: Prepare your documents and complete forms
Download and complete the IMM5257e application form
Ensure you download the latest application form directly from the IRCC website.
Download the application for a TRV
Do not print and sign the form. You can type your name in the signature and dates on the form. Once you enter your information, select "Validate" and the form will generate an additional page with many bar codes if it's validated successfully.
If you want to make changes to the form, remember to validate it and save the form after every edit.
Guide to completing your TRV application form
Collect your forms
If your documents are not in English or French, they should be accompanied by an official translation in English or French or a certified copy of the original document in English or French with an affidavit.
On the document checklist, upload your Confirmation of Enrolment letter where it requests it for the next semester.
You will notice you can include the updated date of completion of your studies, which will help the immigration officer when extending your study permit.
In certain situations, you might need a customized Confirmation of Enrolment. For this kind of letter, please book an appointment with an International Student Advisor.
You can order your transcripts through your mySAIT account.
- Log in to mySAIT.
- Go to the myStudent tab.
- Choose Student Profile.
- Choose Academic Transcript and follow the remaining steps indicated in mySAIT.
Your transcripts will be uploaded to MyCreds™️ approximately five business days after you submit your request. You can pay for and share them directly through the MyCreds™️ portal.
You must provide evidence you can financially support yourself and any accompanying family members while you are in Canada for the remainder of your program.
You should add the amount of tuition you are responsible for paying and the amount to cover your living expenses. The total is what you should prepare to have in your proof of funds.
A few documents you can use in your proof of funds include:
- the last four months of bank statements from your Canadian accounts
- the bank statement of your GIC account if you have one
- the last four months of bank statements from your parent's or sponsor's accounts
For more information on Proof of Funds, please refer to the IRCC website.
You will need to scan and upload a copy of your passport on the bio-data page (the page with your photo and all other personal information), and any other pages with stamps, visas, or markings from any county.
If you have a new passport, you need to provide copies of both your new and old passports.
Your study permit will not be issued beyond your passport expiry date. Thus, if your passport will be expiring soon, you should extend it first before you apply for the study permit.
Your photo should be less than six months old and adhere to IRCC photo specifications.
A letter of explanation is a self-written document providing additional information to support your application.
You should only provide a Letter of Explanation if you have something you would like to explain with regard to your application. For instance, a Leave of Absence or time off that you took.
Please book an appointment with an International Student Advisor for additional support with this letter.
Depending on your nationality, this form might be required. You should only provide it if it’s included in your document checklist.
This form needs to be printed out and signed by hand. Please note you might need to sign multiple places on this form.
- If you indicate that you don’t have a spouse or common-law partner, sign and date Section A.
- If you indicate that you don’t have children, sign and date Section B.
- Finally, sign and date Section C.
IRCC might make a minor adjustment to application forms without notice. Please check for instructions for each form and make sure the form is thoroughly completed.
Step 4: Get your biometrics and medical exam (if applicable)
If you have provided biometrics in a previous application, you don’t need to provide them again. Your biometrics will be valid for 10 years. You can use the online tool to find out if your biometrics are still valid.
Biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) are collected to confirm your identity and will facilitate your entry to Canada. While exemptions can be granted, most study permit applicants will be required to provide biometrics.
Once you have paid your biometrics collection fee ($85 CAD) and submitted your online application, you will receive a biometric instruction letter in your account. Then, you can go to the nearest biometrics collection center with the letter.
You may be required to complete an immigration medical exam if:
- you have lived in a designated country or territory for more than six months in the past year or
- you would like to work in a job that will bring you close to patients, children, the elderly, etc. This includes public health, health sciences, or agriculture-related fields (for example, healthcare workers and primary and secondary school teachers.)
If you need a medical exam, you can choose to:
- submit your application first and wait for the medical exam instruction letter from IRCC or
- do an upfront medical exam first and include the exam confirmation receipt in your application.
In general, providing an upfront medical exam can save some processing time. Your medical exam result will be valid for 12 months from the date of the exam and should be valid at the time when you travel.
Find a panel physician who can conduct your medical exam.
After you apply
Please expect your Temporary Resident Visa application to be processed in two to three months. You will receive emails from your IRCC GCKey account informing you of any updates on your application.
Once it has been approved, you will be required to submit your passport by post to IRCC. Please follow the instructions provided in the approval letter to send your passport.
If you have further questions on how and where to send your passport, please visit the International Centre to speak with an International Student Advisor.
Bringing your family to Canada
As an international student in Canada, you can have your family members live with you or visit you. You can provide documents supporting their temporary resident application to Canada.
If you are an international student studying full-time and have a valid study permit, your spouse or common-law partner can apply for an open work permit. Your spouse/partner does not need a job offer to apply, and the Spousal open work permit will be valid for the same period as your study permit. With an open work permit, your spouse/partner can work while you study for any employer unless restricted by the work permit itself.
In order for your spouse to be eligible for an open work permit, you need to study full-time in a certificate, diploma, or degree program that is at least 8 months long. If you are studying in ELF, Academic Upgrading, open studies or a certificate program shorter than eight months, your spouse/partner will not be eligible for an open work permit.
The spousal open work permit can be applied for together with your initial study permit or later after you come to Canada. If the application will be submitted after you start your program, you can include a Confirmation of Enrollment letter from SAIT and a copy of your study permit in the application. Find out more about the process to apply for a spousal open work permit.
If you’d like your minor children to accompany you and to study in Canada, you can submit study permit applications for them as part of your initial study permit application or at a later time.
Parents who will have or currently have a valid study permit do not need to include a Letter of Acceptance for their minor children when applying for a study permit.
If the study permit application for your child is submitted after your study permit application has been approved, you should include a copy of your study permit and a Confirmation of Enrollment letter as part of the application.
If your minor children are already in Canada as visitors, they can study without a study permit as long as you have a valid study permit. However, if they will apply for a study permit from inside of Canada, then the application needs a Letter of Acceptance from their school.
Find out more information about minor children studying in Canada.
Please contact the school board where you intend to enroll your child for information about tuition costs.
Your children will be charged for general school fees if you (the parent) are in one of the following situations:
- A study permit holder that enrolled in:
- A full-time provincially recognized diploma or degree program that is at least two years in duration; or
- A full-time graduate or post-doctoral program of study that is at least one year in duration
- A work permit holder; or
- A refugee claimant; or
- Has diplomatic status in Canada
If you (the parent) do not qualify as a temporary resident (as defined above), your children may be charged for international tuition.
Please contact the school board where you intend to enroll your child for detailed information.
Most visitors to Canada need a Visitor Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization to enter Canada.
The documents that your family must submit to apply to visit Canada depend on many factors, such as their nationality and how they will travel to Canada. Find out what documents your family needs to apply to visit you in Canada.
Supporting documents from you:
- copy of your passport*
- copy of your study permit*
- Confirmation of Enrollment letter
- Letter of Invitation (a letter drafted by you and including information about you, your family members applying to visit Canada, and the purpose of your family’s visit to Canada.)
When your family travels to Canada, they may want to carry the above-supporting documents in case a border services officer asks to see them.
*These should be valid for the duration of your family’s proposed visit.