Who uses a TRP
- Visitors, workers and business travellers with a criminal conviction who are not yet eligible for rehabilitation.
- People in Canada who have lost status or are inadmissible, where there are strong reasons for them to stay.
- Family members in situations covered by public policies, such as survivors of family violence.
- Applicants found medically or otherwise inadmissible where a temporary stay is justified.
How officers decide
The officer weighs your need to be in Canada against the risk to Canadians. Need can be business, a family emergency, a medical reason, or a humanitarian reason. Risk depends on the nature of the inadmissibility, how long ago it was, and what you have done since. A clear, documented purpose and evidence of rehabilitation make the difference.
Applying
Visa-required travellers apply through a visa office. Visa-exempt travellers can, in some cases, ask for a TRP at a port of entry, but approval there is not guaranteed and a refusal at the border can be disruptive. Applying in advance is usually safer. Inside Canada, a TRP request can be made to IRCC.
Duration and permanent residence
A TRP can be issued for up to three years and usually ends when you leave Canada unless it specifically authorizes re-entry. People who hold TRPs continuously for several years can, in some cases, become eligible for permanent residence on that basis, depending on the ground of inadmissibility.
How ATWORLD IMMIGRATION helps
We prepare TRP applications that set out the need and the risk with evidence, and we advise on whether rehabilitation should be pursued at the same time.
Last reviewed November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration law and IRB procedure change often; we confirm the current rules for your file at your consultation.