Temporary Resident Permit

A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is for people who would normally be refused entry to Canada — usually because of a past criminal record or a medical issue — but have a real reason to come anyway.

What's included

Criminal inadmissibility (DUI, theft, fraud and others)
Medical inadmissibility
Misrepresentation and previous refusals
Criminal rehabilitation applications

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Overview

What this means for you.

A TRP is a discretionary document. The officer must believe that your need to enter Canada outweighs the risk you might pose. That is why a well-written submission letter matters more here than in almost any other case.

TRPs are common for travellers with a past impaired driving conviction — Canada treats DUI as a serious crime. They are also used for business travel, urgent family events, or medical reasons.

If your conviction is old enough, criminal rehabilitation is usually a better long-term solution because it removes the inadmissibility for good. We help you decide whether a TRP, rehabilitation, or both is the right move.

Eligibility

Who can apply?

A quick checklist to see if this is the right pathway for you.

You are otherwise inadmissible to Canada (criminal, medical, misrepresentation, etc.)
You have a compelling reason to enter Canada — work, family, study, medical
Your need to enter outweighs the risk to Canadian society
You can pay the CAD $239.75 government processing fee

Process

How we move your file forward.

Step 01

Assess your record

We pull together your court records, certificates of disposition and any equivalents under Canadian law.

Step 02

Build the case for entry

We draft a detailed submission letter explaining why your need to enter is real, time-sensitive and low risk.

Step 03

Submit to the right office

TRPs can be filed at a visa office abroad, at the port of entry, or inside Canada — each route has trade-offs.

Step 04

Plan long-term status

Once you are in, we talk about criminal rehabilitation or a record suspension so you never need another TRP.

FAQ

Questions we hear every week.

Still wondering about your specific case? A 30-minute consultation is the fastest way to get a real answer.

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Anywhere from a single day up to 3 years. The officer decides the length based on your reason for entry. For repeated travel, a multi-entry TRP of 1 to 3 years is common.

Yes. Since 2018, impaired driving has been treated as a serious crime in Canada. Even a single DUI from 5 or 10 years ago can result in a refusal at the border without a TRP or criminal rehabilitation in place.

A TRP is temporary and case-by-case. Criminal rehabilitation is permanent — once approved, you are no longer inadmissible and can travel like anyone else. Rehabilitation is only available 5 years after you completed your sentence.

Yes, but it is risky. If the officer refuses, you will be turned away. We almost always recommend filing in advance at a visa office so you can travel with confidence.

Port-of-entry decisions are same day. Applications filed at a visa office abroad usually take 3 to 6 months. We give you a realistic timeline based on the current backlog at your office.