Foreigners from visa-required countries who seek to visit Canada, may apply for a temporary resident visa (TRV) to enter and stay in Canada for up to six months. In contrast, a super visa allows parents and grandparents to join their children and grandchildren in Canada for up to two years. Generally, visitors are not allowed to work, but may study, if the duration of the program is six months or less.

Foreigners from visa-required countries must have a valid passport and a TRV to be permitted to enter and re-enter Canada. A TRV is a counterfoil (sticker) issued by a visa officer that is placed in the passport to indicate that the holder may become a temporary resident on admission to Canada.

As noted, a TRV does not guarantee admission to Canada. However, it permits a foreigner to travel to a Canadian port of entry (POE) by air, sea or land; to request admission to Canada. Finally, a border officer will decide whether to grant entry.

Foreigners who wish to study in Canada for more than six months, may apply for a study permit (SP). If granted, the SP will be valid for the duration of the period of study, generally up to four years. Full time students may work part time during their studies.

Generally, foreigners who want to work in Canada, need to obtain a work permit (WP). The duration of a work permit will be tied to the length of the contract offered by the Canadian employer, usually one or two years.

Generally, a visitor cannot be granted an initial WP or SP from an IRCC office within Canada. If approved, the applicant must leave Canada and re-enter to receive a permit at the POE. Sometimes, however, temporary residents may change the category from within Canada.

Temporary resident status may be extended by written request. For example, visitors may apply to IRCC to extend their stay in Canada. If approved, a visitor record (VR) with a new expiry date will be issued.

As long as the renewal application was submitted before the expiry date, the temporary resident will benefit from implied status. Temporary residents under implied status may remain in Canada under the same conditions until a decision is made.

When temporary residents have overstayed, they may be eligible to apply for restoration of status within 90 days of loss, if they continue to comply with the initial conditions. Otherwise, they must depart Canada.

Inadmissible foreigners need special permission to enter or remain in Canada. A temporary resident permit (TRP) is only granted in extraordinary cases. To overcome inadmissibility, the officer must be convinced that the reasons for allowing to enter and stay in Canada outweigh any health and safety risks to Canadian society.

Temporary resident status may be extended by written request. For example, visitors may apply to IRCC to extend their stay in Canada. If approved, a visitor record (VR) with a new expiry date will be issued.