Langley, BC Temporary Residence Lawyers

Want to study or live in Canada in the short-term? You might need a temporary visa. Temporary visas include electronic travel authorizations, study permits for international students, temporary work permits, and temporary resident permits for refugees who may not qualify for permanent residency.

Our immigration law firm can help you navigate the temporary resident visa process. We’ll start by helping you choose the program that matches your scenario and your goals. We’ll then work with you to make your application as strong as possible. In the event that you are denied entry we will fight to defend you. We’ll be with you throughout every step of the process to bring your immigration matter to its best outcome.

What is a Canadian Temporary Resident Visa?

A TRV is an official immigration document that shows what you are authorized to do while you are here in Canada and the length of time that you’ve been allowed to do it.

For example, a student visa is a TRV that lets you attend a study program in Canada. This visa allows you to live and study and in some cases work part-time in Canada for the length of your program, plus 90 days past that.

To receive a temporary visa you must prove you meet the program requirements. You must also convince immigration officers that you truly intend to return to your country of origin after your stay. You can often do that by proving you have strong family ties in your home country.

See also:

Assessing Family Ties and Country of Residence in Canada

Does Everyone Who is Planning to Visit Langley, BC Need a Temporary Resident Visa?

No. Citizens of certain countries can enter for up to six months without having to get a temporary resident visa, though they may not take jobs. If you’re only here for a visit and you are from one of those countries then you can enter if you have a valid passport.

If you are not from one of those countries then you will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter Canada, as well as a Visitor’s Visa.

Types of Temporary Resident Visas

The following types of TRVs exist as of this writing:

• Visitor’s Visas
• Super Visas
• Diplomatic and Official Visas
• Courtesy Visas
• Facilitation Visas
• Business Persons & Business Delegation Visas
• Entering Canada for the Purposes of Giving Birth
• Intending Organ Donors
• Dual Intent Visas
• Student Visas
• Temporary Work Permits

We can help you choose the visa application that’s most appropriate for your goals and your situation.

Single Entry Visas

A single entry visa lets you enter Canada one time, for one specific purpose. If you try to enter Canada again you’ll need a new visitor’s visa. These are usually limited-reason visas.

Multiple Entry Visas

Most visas issued will be multiple-entry visas, and you don’t have to do anything special to apply for them. Tourist visas allow you to travel to Canada as many times as you want for up to six months at a time during a ten year period, or one month before your passport expires, whichever is shorter.

Transit Visas

A transit visa is what you’ll get if you’re going to pass through Canada on your way to a new destination. If your country is a non-visa exempt nation such as Afghanistan or Saudi Arabia then you’ll need this visa if you have a layover in Canada for less than 48 hours. You must have one to get back on the plane that will take you out of Canada. You can apply online, and processing is free, but we recommend you doing it well in advance of your journey so that you don’t get delayed by processing times.

You may not apply for a visa upon your arrival in Canada. Travel agents, cruise lines, and airlines do not take care of your travel visa for you.

You can find a list of visa exempt and non-visa exempt nations here.

Work Permit Visas

You can obtain a temporary work permit to live and work in Canada upon receiving a job offer from a Canadian employer. The length of time you’ll be allowed to stay will depend on the employer’s Labor Market Impact Assessment. It will also depend on the length of time your passport is valid.

Study Permit Visas

Study permits allow you to complete an education at an approved Canadian college, university, or trade school. You must apply at the designated learning institution and you must be accepted before you apply for the study permit. You will need to show that you have enough money to support yourself while you are in Canada. You will also need to prove that you intend to return home when your course of study is complete.

Visitor’s Visas

Some residents of some countries are exempt from needing a visitor’s visa, if they’d like to visit for 6 months or less.

Individuals who want to visit Canada for longer or who are from a non-visa exempt nation will need a visitor’s visa to visit Canada. This is a tourist’s visa which will not allow you to work or study within Canada’s borders.

Eligibility Requirements for Temporary Resident Visas

You can get a temporary resident visa if:

• You have a valid reason for your travel to Canada.
• You pose no health or safety risk to Canadian citizens.

The length of the visa will depend on the reason for your stay.

What is the Difference between a Single Entry Visa, a Multiple Entry Visa, and a Transit Visa?

A single entry visa lets you enter Canada one time. A multiple entry visa lets you enter Canada multiple times for periods of up to 6 months, and a transit visa lets you make a layover stop in Canada on your way to another destination.

Why Choose Us to Serve as Your Immigration Attorneys?

Working with an immigration attorney is the best and easiest way to make sure that your visa application gets approved. Without an attorney there’s a good chance that something will go wrong with your application that will be harder and more expensive to fix later.

Our attorneys have decades of experience with immigration law, and have helped thousands of individuals reach their goals of working, studying, or living in Canada. We even have a native speaker of Mandarin on staff, as well as a native Punjabi speaker. We’re here to make your immigration experience go as smoothly as possible.

Contact us to make an appointment today. We are happy to set up a video chat appointment if you are not currently located near our office in Surrey, BC, very close to the Langley area. Our team is ready to work with you!