TRV/eTA

To enter Canada, you will need either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV, also sometimes called a 'visitor visa') or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). You can use the Government of Canada's online tool to check which documents you'll need to enter Canada.

 

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV, also known as a 'visitor visa') is an official document placed in your passport that you will need to enter Canada if you are travelling from a country without a visa exemption.

If you receive a study permit or a post-graduate work permit (PGWP), it will include a TRV. Your TRV is usually valid for the length of your study permit. You will need to renew your TRV if you extend your study permit or if you replace your passport.

If you travel outside the country, you must have a valid TRV to re-enter Canada. We recommend that you apply to renew your TRV two to three months before it expires, before you travel outside Canada. It may take several months to receive a TRV if you apply from your home country.

Applying for a new TRV

To apply for a new TRV from inside Canada, you will need:

  • Your study permit or post-graduate work permit
  • An official transcript
  • confirmation of enrolment next term
  • Proof of financial support, such as a bank statement, sponsorship letter, or student loan documentation
  • A digital photo that meets specifications
  • Scanned pages from your passport, only for pages that show stamps, visas, or photos

Begin your application by signing in to your IRCC account. If you do not already have an account, you can register through GCKey or a sign-in partner; you will also need your Client ID from your study permit.

  • Select "Apply to come to Canada". If you do not have a Personal Reference Code from completing an eligibility questionnaire recently, select "Visitor visa, study and/or work permit" in the section "I do not have a Personal reference Code".
  • Complete the IMM5257 application form. We recommend saving a copy of the document to work on, and using Adobe Reader.
  • Upload the application form and all the supporting documents.
  • If you do not have complete biometrics but have paid for biometric collection, include your receipt as an Optional Document. Indicate "YES" to biometrics in the questionnaire, or you will be charged again.
  • Pay the application fee using your credit card.
  • Submit the application. IRCC will confirm that they have received the application. Once the application has been processed, they will email you.

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

You will need an eTA if you are flying to Canada from a country that is visa-exempt. You will need to present your eTA every time you fly to Canada.

If you have applied for a study permit and you are travelling to Canada for the first time, your eTA is included as part of your study permit. If you do not have a study permit because you are studying for less than six months, you will need to apply for an eTA.

Applying for your eTA

You can apply online. The form takes most students 15-30 minutes to complete. You will need:

  • valid passport
  • credit card
  • email address

Complete the form and pay the eTA application fee using your credit card. Your eTA will usually be approved quickly, but it may take up to 72 hours. You will receive an email once your eTA is approved that will confirm that you are allowed to fly to Canada.

Renewing your eTA

Your eTA is valid for up to five years. If you are issued a new passport, you will need to apply for a new eTA. You can review the status of your eTA by using the Check eTA tool.

Contact Us

You can contact our staff from Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm

Wong International Centre
27 Acadia Street
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, B4P 2R6 902-585-1865

The Wong International Centre