CANADA

TRV inside Canada

TRV for Canada Travel: Why a Visa Stamp Is More Important Than You Think

If you are in Canada on a study permit, work permit, or PGWP, understanding the importance of a TRV (Temporary Resident Visa) can save you from serious immigration trouble. Many students and workers ignore this small visa sticker—until they face an emergency and get stuck outside Canada.

In this, we will explain what TRV is, the difference between visa and permit, why you must apply for TRV after extension, and what problems can happen if you don’t.

1. What Is a TRV (Temporary Resident Visa)?

A TRV is a sticker visa stamped on your passport that allows you to travel to Canada from outside the country.

  • It can be a Study Visa (S)

  • Work Visa (W)

  • Or Visitor Visa (V)

When people say “TRV,” they usually mean a Visitor Visa used for re-entry into Canada after you already have a valid permit.

Important:
A TRV is required only to travel to Canada, not to stay inside Canada.

2. Visa vs Permit: Most Common Confusion Explained

What Is a Permit?

A permit is the document you receive after landing in Canada at the airport. It looks like an A4 paper and can be:

  • Study Permit

  • Work Permit

  • PG Work Permit

  • Visitor Record

This permit allows you to stay and work or study inside Canada, and it contains:

  • Start date & expiry date

  • Conditions

  • Personal details

What Is a Visa (TRV)?

A visa is the sticker on your passport that allows you to:

  • Board your flight

  • Enter Canada from outside

Without a valid visa stamp, airlines will not allow you to board the flight, even if your permit is valid.

3. Why TRV Is Mandatory After Permit Extension

When you first apply for a study or work visa, you already get a visa stamp. So first-time travel is not a problem.

But after that:

  • You extend your study permit

  • Or apply for PGWP

  • Or extend your work permit

  • Or get a visitor record

 You receive a new permit, but NO new visa stamp.

That means:

  • Your old visa stamp may already be expired

  • And you cannot travel back to Canada without a new TRV

4. TRV Applied Inside Canada = Visitor Visa

When you apply for a TRV from inside Canada, it is technically a visitor visa application, but it is considered an inland application.

Benefits of Applying TRV Inside Canada
  • High approval rate

  • Minimal documents

  • No need to show heavy funds

  • Faster and smoother process

💲 Fees: CAD 100 only

You may receive:

  • TRV valid till permit expiry

  • Or even 10-year multiple-entry TRV (decision depends on visa officer)

5. Real Case Example: A Small Mistake, Big Loss

One applicant:

  • Studied for 1 year

  • Got 1-year PG Work Permit

  • Travelled to India without applying for TRV

  • Applied for TRV from India → Refused

Result:

  • Stuck outside Canada

  • Half of PGWP validity already lost

  • PGWP is valid only once in a lifetime

  • Now forced to consider LMIA or another complex route

All this happened just because a CAD 100 TRV was ignored.

6. Why TRV from Outside Canada Is Risky

When you apply for TRV from outside Canada, the application is treated as a normal visitor visa, not an inland case.

Major Problems:
  • Very high refusal rate

  • Long processing time (3–5 months)

  • Strong financial proofs required

  • Home country ties checked strictly

  • Young applicants without jobs often refused

  • Sometimes refused automatically by CHINUK system

Even if you have:

  • Valid PGWP

  • Valid study or work permit

 You still cannot travel back without TRV approval.

7. Emergency Situations: Why You Must Be Prepared

You may think:

“I’m not planning to travel.”

But emergencies don’t come with warnings:

  • Parents fall sick

  • Death in family

  • Marriage or urgent travel

If you leave Canada without a valid TRV, you may:

  • Get stuck outside

  • Lose months of your permit

  • Lose Canadian work experience

  • Damage your PR profile

8. Example Scenario (Very Common)

  • Study visa valid till August 2024

  • PGWP approved from Jan 2025 – Jan 2028

  • Study visa stamp already expired

  • TRV not applied

  • Emergency travel to India

Result:

  • PGWP valid, but no TRV

  • TRV applied from outside → delayed/refused

  • 4–6 months of PGWP wasted

9. Key Rule to Remember (Very Important)

Permit = Stay inside Canada
Visa (TRV) = Travel to Canada

You can travel to Canada without a permit but never without a visa.

10. When Should You Apply for TRV?

Immediately after getting permit extension, before traveling outside Canada.

Whether you have:

  • Study Permit Extension

  • PG Work Permit

  • Work Permit Extension

  • Visitor Record

 Apply for TRV from inside Canada.

11. Final Advice from Globexa Immigration

Saving CAD 100 today can cost you:

  • Thousands of dollars later

  • Lost work permit time

  • PR complications

  • Stress and uncertainty

Always keep a valid visa stamp on your passport. Always.