Visitor Visa (TRV) Renewal Canada

A Temporary Resident Visa is the document that allows you to enter Canada — but it does not control how long you can stay once you are here. Those are two separate things, and confusing them is one of the most common mistakes visitors make. Your TRV can expire while you are legally inside Canada without any immediate consequence to your status — as long as you have a valid status document such as a Visitor Record, study permit, or work permit. Where an expired TRV becomes a problem is the moment you want to leave Canada and re-enter. Without a valid TRV, you cannot board a flight back to Canada from most countries.

This is why TRV renewal needs to be planned ahead of any travel outside Canada. If your TRV is expiring or has already expired and you are planning to travel — even briefly to the United States — you need to understand exactly where you stand before you book any flights. There are limited exceptions, but relying on them without understanding the rules is a risk that can leave you stranded outside Canada with a valid status document but no way to get back in.

At Magellan Immigration, we advise visitors, students, and workers on TRV renewal — assessing your specific situation, confirming whether you need to apply from inside or outside Canada, and preparing a complete application that gives you the best possible chance of approval before your travel plans are affected.

Who Needs to Renew Their TRV

Only citizens of visa-required countries need a TRV to enter Canada. Citizens of visa-exempt countries — including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and most European Union member states — use an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) instead, which is a separate and simpler process.

If you are from a visa-required country and your TRV is expiring or has expired, you need to renew it if you intend to travel outside Canada and return. You do not need to renew it simply to remain inside Canada — but if there is any possibility of travel, addressing it before you leave is essential.

Applying From Inside Canada — Workers and Students

 

If you hold a valid Canadian work permit or study permit and your TRV has expired or is about to expire, you can apply for a new TRV from inside Canada through your IRCC secure online account. This is a significant convenience — it means you do not need to leave Canada or attend a visa application centre abroad to renew your entry document.

The application uses the same form as a TRV application made outside Canada — IMM 5257 — and once approved, you will receive instructions on how to submit your passport so the new visa can be affixed. You should not make confirmed travel plans until your new TRV has been issued and your passport has been returned to you.

Applying From Outside Canada — All Other Applicants

Pure visitors — those in Canada on a Visitor Record or authorized stay rather than a work or study permit — cannot renew their TRV from inside Canada. If your TRV expires and you leave Canada, you must apply for a new TRV from outside Canada through a Canadian visa office or Visa Application Centre before you can return. The one limited exception is travel only to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon — if you hold a valid work or study permit and return before your authorized stay expires, you may be able to re-enter without a valid TRV, but this exception does not apply to pure visitors and does not extend to travel to any other country. The new TRV application is assessed on the same criteria as your original application — purpose of visit, financial situation, ties to your home country, and travel history — and a prior refusal or overstay will be visible to the officer reviewing your application.

What We Do

 

  • Assess your current TRV status and confirm whether renewal is required before travel

  • Advise on whether you can apply from inside Canada or must apply from outside

  • Prepare and submit your complete TRV renewal application

  • Advise on the US and St. Pierre and Miquelon exception and whether it applies to your situation

  • Prepare supporting documentation to address any prior refusals or concerns in your history