Temporary Resident Permit Canada
A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is a formal legal authorization that allows you to enter or remain in Canada despite a criminal record, past DUI, or another inadmissibility finding, provided you can demonstrate a compelling reason for your visit.
At IPJ Immigration Solutions, we help individuals across Canada and around the world prepare TRP applications that give them the best possible chance of approval.
Licensed by CICC & Law Society of Ontario
CICC Regulated
Women-Led Practice
What Is a Temporary Resident Permit?
A TRP is issued under Section 24 of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). It gives an inadmissible person legal permission to enter or remain in Canada for a specific purpose and period.
It is a temporary solution. It does not remove your inadmissibility permanently. A border or IRCC officer decides whether your reason to enter Canada outweighs the risk your record presents. That assessment is fully discretionary, which is why preparation matters.
Who Needs a Temporary Resident Permit to Enter Canada?
A TRP is required any time a person is inadmissible to Canada and wishes to enter or remain in the country, and where a permanent solution is either not yet available or not yet completed. The most common situations include the following.
Criminal Inadmissibility
This is the most frequent basis for a TRP application. Any foreign conviction that would constitute a criminal offence under Canadian law can render a person inadmissible. This includes DUI and DWI, assault, theft, drug offences, fraud, weapons charges, and domestic violence convictions. Even convictions that occurred decades ago can still trigger inadmissibility at the Canadian border today.
DUI, DWI, and Entry Into Canada
Many travelers are surprised to learn that a single DUI conviction, including a misdemeanor DUI from the United States, is treated as a serious offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. Canada and the United States share criminal record information through an FBI-RCMP data-sharing agreement, which means Canadian border officers regularly screen incoming travelers against American criminal databases. Attempting to enter Canada without disclosing a DUI, or simply hoping it goes undetected, is not a viable strategy. A properly prepared TRP application is the right approach.
Multiple Summary Convictions
Two or more summary convictions from another country can create inadmissibility under Canadian law, even if each individual offence was considered minor in the jurisdiction where it occurred. Canadian law evaluates foreign convictions based on what they would be classified as under Canadian legislation, not how they were treated abroad.
Medical Inadmissibility
A health condition that could endanger public health or place excessive demand on Canadian health or social services may result in inadmissibility. A TRP can authorize entry while additional documentation is gathered or while a longer-term solution is being pursued.
Misrepresentation
If a prior immigration application involved a misrepresentation finding, the person is typically barred from entering Canada for five years from the date of the finding. In certain circumstances, a TRP can provide a path to entry during that period when the reason for entry is sufficiently compelling.
Previous Removal or Deportation
A person who has previously been removed or deported from Canada is inadmissible for re-entry without written authorization. A TRP is one mechanism that can facilitate a return for a specific, justified purpose.
The Compelling Reason Test: What Officers Actually Assess
What Officers Actually Assess
An officer will only approve a TRP if your reason to enter Canada is strong enough to outweigh your inadmissibility. This is called the benefit versus risk test under IRPA Section 24.
Reasons that are typically accepted include a business meeting or contract with documented economic benefit to Canada, a family medical emergency, a funeral or significant family event, a humanitarian situation, or a critical professional or educational obligation that cannot be done remotely.
Leisure travel on its own is rarely accepted. The stronger and better documented your reason, the stronger your application.
Two Processes. One Goal.
How to Apply for a TRP
You can apply in two ways
At a Canadian Port of Entry
Governed by your province and the child’s country
A CBSA officer at the border can issue a TRP on the spot. This is an option when your need is urgent and time does not allow an advance application. It carries real risk. If refused, you are turned away immediately and the refusal affects all future applications. Never arrive at the border unprepared.
In Advance Through a Visa Office
Managed entirely by IRCC — starts after provincial letter
This is the lower-risk route for most applicants. You submit your application to IRCC before traveling. Processing typically takes several weeks to a few months. Approval means you travel with certainty.
Documents You Will Need
TRP Document Checklist
- Completed IMM 1444 Form
- Valid Passport
- Police Certificate and Court Records
- Personal Justification Letter
- Supporting Documents
- Government Processing Fee
TRP vs. Criminal Rehabilitation: Which Is Right for You?
These two options address criminal inadmissibility in fundamentally different ways. Understanding the distinction is essential before deciding which path, or which combination of paths, to pursue.
These two options solve different problems.
| Factor | TRP | Criminal Rehabilitation |
|---|---|---|
|
What it does |
Allows temporary entry |
Permanently removes inadmissibility
|
|
Removes inadmissibility |
No
|
Yes
|
|
Eligibility
|
Any time |
5+ years after sentence completed
|
|
Processing time
|
Same day to a few months
|
12 to 24+ months
|
|
Need to reapply |
Yes, on expiry
|
No
|
If you completed your sentence more than five years ago, a Criminal Rehabilitation application may be the better long-term solution for you. Both applications can be filed at the same time, which is often the most strategic approach.
What If Your TRP Is Refused?
Refusal Impact Explained
A refusal becomes part of your immigration record. Any future application must explain what has changed. There is no formal appeal process.
Reapply With Guidance
If you have already been refused, do not reapply without professional guidance. The application needs to be substantially stronger before it is resubmitted.
How We Work With You
Our Process
Full Care Representation
- We prepare everything.
- You share your story and your documents.
- We handle all IRCC or CBSA communication as your authorised representative.
- We manage portal updates and provide ongoing case updates throughout the process.
- This is the best option for urgent travel needs, prior refusals, complex inadmissibility, or anyone who wants the strongest possible application.
Best for hands-on applicants who want expert verification before submitting. Full fee credited if upgraded to Full Care before submission.
Our Professional Fees
What You Get
- No hourly billing — fixed fees only, with no hidden or unexpected charges at any stage.
- You will always feel informed and confident before making any commitment.
- Before work begins, you receive a clear written agreement outlining exactly what is included, the full process, and the total cost.
- The price you are quoted is the price you pay - no additional charges added later.
- Our fee structure is simple, transparent, and designed to give you complete peace of mind from the very start.
Fixed fee, confirmed in writing – see our full fee schedule below.
Why People Choose IPJ Immigration for Their TRP Application
Two Decades of Ontario Experience
Before Express Entry, before Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada modernized its systems, and before current Provincial Nominee Program streams came into play, we were already navigating the most complex Temporary Resident Permit cases with proven success.
We Have Been Where You Are
Every case matters to us. We treat your concerns with the same seriousness and attention we would expect for our own applications - because we know what’s at stake. From preparing strong supporting documents to helping you present your case effectively, we are committed to giving you the best possible chance of approval.
RCIC and Lawyer Combination
Your Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) application is handled by highly qualified professionals who understand the legal and strategic complexities involved. Our team includes CICC-licensed RCICs alongside an immigration lawyer licensed by the Law Society of Ontario, holding a JD from Osgoode Hall.
Meticulous Attention to Detail
That’s why every TRP file we handle goes through a full legal audit before submission. We carefully review each form, cross-check every detail, and ensure your documents are accurate, consistent, and complete.
You Are Not Just a File Number
Your Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) application isn’t passed from desk to desk. We operate as a small, focused team, so the same professional who opens your file stays with it from start to finish.
Success With Difficult Cases
TRP applications are decided entirely at an officer's discretion - preparation is everything. We review your record, assess your reason for entry, and tell you honestly whether a TRP is the right path forward.
What Our Clients Say
Our clients come to us from across Richmond Hill and the wider Greater Toronto Area, including Markham, Vaughan, Toronto, and Mississauga. Their words reflect what we work to deliver on every file: clarity, honest guidance, and real results.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, through a TRP. A DUI is treated as a serious offence under Canadian law. Professional application preparation significantly improves your approval chances.
Same day at the border. Several weeks to a few months when applying in advance through a visa office.
Yes. Officers have full discretion. A thorough, well-documented application reduces that risk considerably.
You are not required to use one. But because approvals are discretionary and refusals carry consequences, professional support is a meaningful advantage in TRP cases.
Your Next Step Starts Here
The clearest way to know where you stand is a conversation with someone who can actually assess your record and your reason for entry.
✓ No obligation ✓ No jargon.
Free 15-Minute Discovery Call
Start with a short, focused conversation where we take the time to understand your inadmissibility situation whether it involves a DUI, a past conviction, urgency at the border, or a prior TRP refusal.
Paid 45-Minute Consultation
A focused session for complex TRP cases, multiple convictions, a previous refusal, urgent travel needs, or questions about whether to file at the border or in advance. Clear, practical guidance tailored to your specific record and circumstances.
Ready to Find Out If a TRP Is Right for You?
TRP applications are high-stakes and fully discretionary. Preparation matters more than most people realise. If you are wondering whether a TRP is the right path for your situation, we will review your record honestly and tell you exactly what we see.