Temporary Resident Permits in Canada: Fees, Exemptions, and Processing

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Canada’s Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) program provides a legal pathway for inadmissible foreign nationals to temporarily enter or remain in the country. TRPs are issued under section A24(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and governed by section R298 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).

But TRPs come with strict rules, mandatory processing fees, and no option to extend—making it essential to understand the process thoroughly before applying.

TRP Fee Requirements

• Processing fee is mandatory before IRCC begins assessment.
• Fee is non-refundable, regardless of the final decision.
• A TRP cannot be “extended”—a new application and new fee are required when the permit expires.
• TRPs are not intended for long-term stay; they are a short-term solution when inadmissibility cannot yet be resolved.

Fee Collection:

• Online payments generate an IPRMS receipt, which is entered into GCMS.
• Without a fee, a TRP request is incomplete and won’t be processed.

Who Can Qualify for a TRP?

A TRP may be issued if:

• The individual is inadmissible (criminality, medical, etc.)
• There are compelling reasons for them to remain in or enter Canada
• The benefits of their presence outweigh any risks to Canadian society

TRP Fee Exemptions

IRCC recognizes some public policy scenarios where the TRP fee may be waived. These include:

1. One-time fee exemption under A36(2) criminality

• For offences excluding child pornography and sexual offences
• The applicant:
  • Was convicted of a minor offence
  • Received no jail time
  • Has no other inadmissibility
• Applies at ports of entry or visa offices abroad
• Use Cost Recovery Code M31 in GCMS

✅ Only available once per lifetime

2. Victims of Trafficking in Persons (VTIP)

• Exempt from the TRP fee
• Can be eligible for a TRP + open work permit (no privilege fee charged)

3. Victims of Family Violence (FMV)

• Fee exempt for TRPs and any related permits

4. Former Youth in State Care

• Special consideration for humanitarian reasons

TRP Processing Locations

Applicant Location	Application Process
Outside Canada	Apply with immigration application; pay TRP fee when requested
Inside Canada	Submit to CPC Edmonton with payment (unless exempt)
Port of Entry (POE)	Pay fee on the spot (unless exempt); officers use ENF 4 guide

Key Restrictions and Warnings

• A TRP cannot be issued without fee payment unless exempt.
• If the applicant refuses or cannot pay, the request is closed.
• No standalone TRP application form exists outside Canada; it must be linked to an existing immigration request.
• Inside Canada, incomplete applications (without fees) are returned.
• For port-of-entry cases, inadmissible persons may be advised to withdraw entry and return later with the fee.

Notes on Validity and Open Work Permits

• TRP validity is discretionary, usually tied to the reason for inadmissibility and temporary need.
• Open work permit privilege fee is waived when issued alongside a TRP under R208(b) (e.g., for FMV or VTIP cases)

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