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How to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) from outside Canada

--- For Vancouver Summer Program Students

Important: The information in this tutorial has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) in compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.

1. Overview of the process Eligibility Visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s page to find out if you

need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).

Why and When to apply

If you are from a visa-required country and will be studying in Canada for 6 months or less, you will need a TRV to enter Canada.

Apply as soon as you receive a letter of acceptance from the Vancouver Summer Program.

Cost $100 TRV application fees + $85 biometrics fees (if applicable).

Processing time

Processing times vary by country. Check this website for weekly updates

How to apply RECOMMENDED OPTION

• Online through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website

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ALTERNATE OPTION

• By paper - fill out the forms, gather all required documents and choose one of the following options:

• In person at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) • By mail to the appropriate visa office

Application form

To avoid delays with your application, always download the most current form from the Document Checklist in your MyCIC account (if applying online) or the IRCC website (if applying by paper).

Application for Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside of Canada [IMM5257E]

Important: Whether you are applying online or by paper, the [IMM5257E] form is the same. We strongly recommend that you read the visa office instruction guide to ensure you are submitting a comprehensive application to the office that will be responsible for evaluating your application.

2. Create your MyCIC account by signing up with GCKey if you apply online

If you are applying online you must create your “MyCIC” account on the IRCC website.

1) Click on the “Register” button

2) Click on the “Register with GCKey” button

3) Click on the “Sign up” button

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4) Click on the “accept” button in the page of “Terms and Conditions of Use”

5) Follow the instructions to sign up for GCKey (create user name, password and questions and answers)

6) Sign in with your GCKey by clicking on the “Sign in with GCKey” button

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Congratulations! You have set up your MyCIC account.

3. Create your document checklist 1) Complete the online questionnaire to generate a Document Checklist that includes the

application forms and required documents. Select correct answers and complete the questionnaire as shown below:

c. When answering the question “What is the main purpose of your visit?” please answer

2) After completing the questionnaire, you will be guided to a screen titled "Your document checklist". You will need to download the application form, save it to your computer, complete

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it, validate it and then upload. You also need to upload the required documents (see next step), pay the application fees and submit your online application.

Important: Your online checklist may not indicate all of the documents required by the visa office that will make a decision on your application. Be sure to include the required documents that are specific to your country’s visa office listed in the “Visa Office Instructions”.

Documents specific to the visa office responsible for your country:

• If you are applying from India: Visa Office Instructions for Bangaluru (Bangalore), Chandigarh and New Delhi

• If you are applying from China: Visa Office Instructions for Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou

• If you are applying from any other country: https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/visa.asp . (Choose your country of residence/citizenship under “Select a country/territory” and then click on “visa office instructions”)

You can scan all these additional documents into one file and upload it by clicking on “Client Information” button in the web page of you online Document Checklist.

If you are applying by paper If applying by paper, see document checklist [IMM5484E]. Please note that you must also check the visa office instructions and prepare the additional required documents to submit.

If you are applying by mail 1) Go to the "Apply on paper" section of the IRCC website. 2) Select your country/territory from the drop-down menu and click “Get documents”. 3) You’ll see a list of links:

a. Click on the first link to review a general document checklist. b. Click on the second link to see visa office instructions for your country. These

instructions include a document checklist showing additional supporting documents required by your country's visa office.

c. The remaining links in the list will open the forms listed in the general document checklist.

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Depending on your situation (e.g. your age, marital status, etc.), you may not need to provide every document listed in either checklist. The next step in the tutorial provides information on typical documents required.

If you are applying at a Visa Application Centre If your city has a Visa Application Centre listed on the IRCC website, follow the same steps as applying by mail to create your document checklist.

4. Gather your required documents

Documents all students must submit All students applying for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to visit Canada for less than 6 months will need all of the following documents.

1) Proof of means of financial support

The proof of financial support must confirm that you have enough funds to support yourself while you are in Canada.

If your parent(s) will be financially supporting you, they must provide a letter stating their relationship to you and that they will financially support you. The letter should be signed by your parent(s). They/you will also need to provide as many of the following documents as you can:

• a letter from their bank showing how much money they have in their checking or savings account and how much Canadian dollars their money is equivalent to (signed and stamped by the bank)

• an employment letter from their employer indicating their annual salary • proof of assets or business that shows they have adequate financial resources

Important: All documents must also be in English or French (or accompanied by an official translation).

If the balances in any of the documentation above are in foreign currency, provide a screenshot of the currency converter result.

2) Invitation letter

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You will be required to provide a letter of invitation from the person or institution inviting you to Canada. Your letter of acceptance to the Vancouver Summer Program may serve as your invitation letter.

3) Passport

Submit a scanned copy of your passport pages that show your passport information and travel history.

You must provide a copy of the bio-data page (the page with your name, date of birth, passport number, expiry date, etc.) AND a copy of every page in your passport that has stamps, visas, or markings from any countries. Make sure you scan all the pages into one PDF document and upload it.

Important: Your TRV will not be issued past your passport expiry date. If your passport will expire soon, extend it before you apply for your TRV. Some visa offices require copies of your current and old passport.

4) Digital photo

Make sure your photo meets the correct specifications.

5) Family information (IMM 5645 or IMM 5707)

This form asks for information about your spouse or common-law partner, your parents, your children, step children and adopted children, and your brothers and sisters (including step-siblings and half-siblings). You cannot sign this form electronically. Instead, you should fill out the form, print it out and sign each section before uploading your completed form.

6) Biometrics (fingerprints and photos)

All students are required to provide biometrics (unless you have done so in the past or are exempt). Find out if you need to give biometrics on the IRCC website and how to give biometrics here.

If you are applying online, you will receive the biometrics request letter on your MyCIC account. So check your MyCIC account on the daily basis after submitting your application. Once you receive the letter, you must go to the nearest Visa Application Centre to give biometrics. Do not delay.

If you are applying on paper at a Visa Application Centre (VAC), you may submit your biometrics as part of your application at VAC.

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Documents you might need Depending on your specific circumstances, you may need one or more of the following documents.

Schedule 1: Application for Temporary Residence [IMM5257B]

Most students will not require this form.

This document is required only if you answer “Yes” to any of the following questions: 3, 4, 5 or 6 in the "Background Information" section of the "Application for Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) Made Outside of Canada" [IMM5257] form.

Important: If you answered "Yes" to any question in the "Background information" section other than 2(c), please contact an International Student Advisor at Reach01@students.ubc.ca for advice.

Letter of Explanation

A letter of explanation is a good way to describe additional factors or include additional documents. It could include:

1. The purpose of your application 2. Issues you would like to clarify or the visa officer might find useful 3. Supporting documents, screenshots or any other proof to support your explanation 4. Additional employment history if you have run out of space in your application

A letter of explanation and any additional documents should be uploaded under “Client Information” in the Optional Documents section of your on-line application checklist or included with your application package if applying by paper, mail or through a VAC.

Travel History

If travel history is a requirement in your document checklist or in the visa office instructions, you must provide information. In addition, you can include copies of:

• your previous passports and/or visas (used within the last 10 years to travel outside your country)

• entry and exit stamps • study and/or work permits that indicate your duration outside of your country of

nationality/citizenship • expired or valid visas

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• boarding passes

You may also include your travel history in your letter of explanation.

General Education and Employment Form

This form must be filled out by residents of China only.

Documents specific to your visa office

Remember to check for any additional documents required by your country's visa office.

If you are applying from India: Visa Office Instructions for Bangaluru (Bangalore), Chandigarh and New Delhi

If you are applying from China: Visa Office Instructions for Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou

If you are applying from any other country: https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/visa.asp . (Choose your country of residence/citizenship under “Select a country/territory” and then click on “visa office instructions”)

If you are applying online:

• To avoid delays or refusals, submit the required documents listed on "Your document checklist" page on your MyCIC account plus any visa office-specific documents.

• You must merge all visa office-specific documents into one PDF file and upload the file in the "Client Information” section on the "Your document checklist" page.

5. Fill out the application form Your application form is an important part of your TRV application. Missing or incorrect information can negatively impact on the visa officer’s decision on your application. Below are five steps to a comprehensive application.

1) Download the newest form(s) IRCC makes periodic updates to the application forms. Always make sure you are using the most current application form(s) by downloading the application form(s) directly from your MyCIC Document Checklist if you apply online. If you apply by paper, go to this website:

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https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/visa.asp., select your country of residence and then download the application form.

Required for all applicants: Application for Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) [IMM5257E] form

a. Download applicable forms by putting your cursor over the document name. You’ll see a note that says “(Opens a new window)”; this indicates a form can be downloaded.

b. If you see a “Please wait…” message when you're downloading a form: i. Click on the download arrow at the top right to save the file onto your computer and

then open it with Adobe Reader. ii. If you do not see the arrow, move your cursor to the top of the screen and it will

appear.

2) Get help with commonly asked questions

What is a UCI?

UCI stands for “Unique Client Identifier” or “Client ID”. If you currently have a valid Canadian study permit, you can find it on your study permit. It is an 8-digit or 10-digit number. If you do not have a UCI, leave this section blank

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What visa am I applying for?

Choose “Visitor Visa”

How do I fill out the "Details of Visit to Canada" section?

How do I fill out the “Indicate how long you plan to stay” section?

• In the "From" field: type in the date of when your VSP program will begin • In the "To" field: type in the date you plan to leave Canada (should be less than 6

months)

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How do I fill out the "Funds available" section?

The amount you put in “funds available for my stay (CAD)” should match the total amount of funds you are showing as proof.

How do I fill out the "Education” section?

The information you provide in this section helps a visa officer have a full picture of your current education status.

• If you have not had post-secondary education, simply check the box for “No”. • If you are currently studying in a college or a university or have completed your studies

there, check on “yes’” • Type in the current year and month in the “to” field. If you completed your studies,

indicate the relevant month and year. • Type in your current/completed program. • You may include your other studies at the post-secondary level (e.g., university, college,

apprenticeship training, etc.). • If you need more space, provide additional info in a separate document and upload this

document in the "Letter of Explanation" section.

How do I fill out the “Employment" section?

Include the following activities for the past ten years, with the most recent activities listed first, whether you did them in or outside of Canada:

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• The first section under employment is “current activity”; therefore, if you are currently a student, fill your current status as a student. If you are currently employed, fill your employment. Remember to include:

• Part-time job(s) • Full-time job(s) • Internship(s)/Co-op(s)/Practicum(s) • If you need more space, provide additional info in a separate document and upload this

document in the "Letter of Explanation" section

How do I answer the "Background" questions?

2 (a) Have you remained beyond the validity of your status, attended school without authorization or worked without authorization in Canada?

2 (b) Have you ever been refused a visa or permit, denied entry or ordered to leave Canada or any other country?

2 (c) Background information: Have you previously applied to enter or remain in Canada?

You must provide honest answers to these questions. Please contact an International Student Advisor at Reach01@students.ubc.ca if you answered “yes” to questions 2(a) or 2(b) so that you are fully aware of any implications.

Important: If you have previously applied for a study permit, a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), or a work permit and stayed in Canada, you must report that to IRCC by checking the box "Yes" to 2(c). You must also write down when you applied for each type of document in the box and provide additional details.

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How can I sign the [IMM5257E] form if I apply online?

You do not need to print or sign your name in the signature field on the bottom of page 5 of [IMM5257E] if applying online. Simply validate, save and upload the form without signing.

• You will be prompted to electronically sign your application later in the online application process after you have uploaded all documents

Important: If you are applying by paper to mail or submit at a VAC, you will need to validate it, print out and sign the form.

3) Validate your form When you finish filling out your application form, click the blue “Validate” button (found on the first or last page). This will highlight any missing information required on your application.

• You can make changes after the application is successfully validated. You can edit and validate as many times as you need.

• Remember to save and upload the final form if you apply online. If you apply by paper, print it out and sign it.

Once your application has been successfully validated it will show the following computer barcode:

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If you do not see any barcodes when you validate your application please visit the IRCC help page.

4) Take screenshots as you apply online It is a good practice to take screenshots as you apply online in case there are issues after you submit your application. You may take screenshots of all screens; however, the following screens are the most important:

a. The completed online questionnaire b. "Your document checklist" page after all your documents have been successfully

uploaded to your MyCIC account c. The "Acknowledgment of receipt" page after the application has been submitted d. Save your screenshots to a safe place where you can access them easily.

How to take screenshots • Instructions for PC • Instructions for Mac

6. Send your passport after approval You will need to mail your passport to get your TRV after receiving a letter from the visa office asking you to submit your passport.

Important: Do not send your passport before you receive written confirmation from the visa office that your TRV has been approved.

7. After you receive your TRV Upon receiving your TRV in your passport, you will be able to enter Canada. Please be sure to carry with you your passport with the TRV and your acceptance to the Vancouver Summer Program (VSP).

8. If you need help

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International Student Advisors are experts in immigration policies. They are available to help you via email at Reach01@students.ubc.ca.

Before sending an email, make sure you have read through all the steps above in this tutorial. In your email, please include:

• Your Vancouver Summer Program application number in the email subject line • Your name • Your citizenship(s) • If you are currently in Canada (YES or NO) • Which step in the tutorial you are stuck on • Copies of applicable documents, such as a refusal letter, that relates to your specific

question(s)

We wish you all the best with your application and look forward to seeing you at UBC.