Visitors to Canada with a criminal record must apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or other special permissions to overcome their inadmissibility and gain legal entry into Canada. The processing time for a Temporary Resident Permit can vary widely, from a couple of hours to 8 months, depending on how and where the application is submitted.
If you are a foreign national seeking a TRP, this article provides helpful information on TRPs, including the various application methods and estimated processing times. First, let’s explore what a TRP is and who requires one.
What is a Temporary Resident Permit?
A Temporary Resident Permit is a document that allows an individual who would otherwise be deemed inadmissible to Canada to enter and stay in the country for a specific period, as determined by the Canadian government.
It requires a traveler to have a clear and compelling reason to visit Canada, which would justify making an exception to their criminal inadmissibility and outweigh the potential risk they could pose of engaging in further criminal conduct.
The permit is valid for a period ranging from one day to up to three years. If you wish to stay in Canada beyond the predetermined limit, you must renew the document before it expires; failure to do so is considered a criminal offense. It’s also important to note that a TRP does not grant you the right to work or study in Canada.
Canada TRP Processing Time: Border TRP vs. Consulate TRP
To apply for a Temporary Resident Permit, you would usually mail the application and supporting documents to a Canadian Consulate or visa office in your home country. However, you can also apply for a TRP at a Canadian port of entry such as an airport, land border crossing, or seaport.
Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, particularly in terms of processing time and the likelihood of being denied entry. The CAD $239.75 application fee is the same for both. With that said, let’s discuss how each alternative works and the differences between them.
Applying for a TRP at the Border
As mentioned, a visitor may apply for a Temporary Residence Permit upon arrival at a port of entry in Canada, without prior arrangement. Like any other visit to Canada, your documents will be screened by border agents to ensure they are valid. They will also assess whether the reason for the trip is sufficiently compelling to grant you entry into Canada.
It’s essential to note that while TRP processing time at a port of entry will be significantly shorter, it’s a riskier option than applying in advance. This is because there is no guarantee that Canadian border authorities will allow you to enter the country, and you may therefore face significant losses in terms of time and money.
For this reason, unless it’s very urgent for you to enter Canada, we strongly recommend applying in advance.
When applying at the border, it usually only takes a few hours to process your TRP application.
Applying for TRP in Advance
While applying for a Canadian Temporary Resident Permit at the border may seem tempting for some due to the expedited processing time, sending your application documents to a Canadian consulate well in advance of your visit is the safest option. This way, you will know whether your application is successful or rejected before starting your trip.
Although not guaranteed, applying for entry in advance generally has a higher success rate than applying at the border.
When applying in advance, processing times can be up to 8 months; however, immigration officers typically take into account your planned date of travel when processing applications.
How Dogen Law Can Help
Understanding inadmissibility issues without professional guidance can be difficult and might lead to unsuccessful applications or border crossings. An experienced Canadian immigration lawyer will be able to determine if you’re actually inadmissible accurately, identify the most appropriate course of action for your situation, and then build compelling applications that adequately address immigration officers’ concerns.
Investing in professional legal advice before you apply for a TRP often saves people time and money in the long run by avoiding failed applications or unnecessary delays.
At Dogen Law, we have extensive experience helping Americans with past criminal convictions enter Canada. If you have a criminal record and believe you may be denied entry, please contact us today to learn more about your options.
Further Reading
Gain deeper insights into criminal rehabilitation, temporary resident permits, and overcoming criminal inadmissibility to Canada by reading our articles below:
Assault Charges
Border Checks, Criminal Inadmissibility, and Expunged Records
- Crimes That Make You Inadmissible To Canada
- Can Canada Access Expunged Records? Understanding Entry Restrictions
- Understanding Canadian Border Background Checks: What You Need to Know
Criminal Rehabilitation & Temporary Resident Permits
DUI Resources
- Entering Canada with a DUI: Navigating the Process in 2024
- How does Canada know if you have a DUI?
- Can You Have a Layover in Canada with a DUI: Exploring your Options in 2024
- How Long After a DUI Can You Travel to Canada?
- Can I Enter Canada with a Dismissed DUI Charge?
- Can You Fly to Canada with a DUI?
- Can You Move to Canada If You Have a DUI?
- Can I Go on an Alaskan Cruise with a DUI?
- How does Canada know if you have a DUI?
Felony Resources
- Can Felons go to Canada? A Step-by-Step Guide for Approval
- Can a Felon Drive Through Canada to Alaska?
