A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is a document issued by Canadian immigration authorities to individuals who are otherwise inadmissible to Canada. Inadmissibility can result from various factors, such as a loss of legal status, past criminal convictions, medical issues, or violations of immigration laws. A TRP allows such individuals to legally enter or remain in Canada for a temporary period when their presence is deemed to serve a compelling purpose that outweighs the reasons for their inadmissibility.

The TRP is not the same as a visa or a regular permit. It is specifically designed for exceptional circumstances where the benefits of granting temporary entry or stay outweigh potential risks. For instance, a TRP might be issued to someone who missed extending their Temporary Resident status, to facilitate family reunification, or to address urgent humanitarian or public health concerns, even if they would normally be denied entry.

A TRP can be issued for a validity period ranging from a few days to several months, or up to three years, depending on the specific circumstances and the discretion of the immigration officer reviewing the case. However, it is important to note that a TRP does not provide a long-term solution to inadmissibility and is strictly temporary in nature.

Each TRP application is assessed individually, and the decision to grant one is at the sole discretion of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Applicants must provide strong, compelling reasons to justify their request and demonstrate that their presence in Canada will not pose a significant risk to public safety or security.

Furthermore, holding a TRP does not eliminate the need to address the root cause of the inadmissibility. For instance, individuals with a criminal record may still need to pursue criminal rehabilitation or apply for a record suspension -pardon, to resolve their inadmissibility if they wish to remain in Canada or to travel to Canada in the future.