Individuals who are found to be inadmissible to Canada, can apply for a Temporary Resident Permit to overcome their inadmissibility and be allowed entry into Canada on a temporary basis.
Foreigners can be found to be inadmissible on the following grounds:
Organized Crime (or ties to it)
Committed human or international rights violations
A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) may be issued, at the discretion of Canadian Immigration Authorities, to individuals who would otherwise be inadmissible to Canada because of misrepresentation, criminality or health issues, permitting them to enter or stay in Canada, where justified by compelling circumstances. A TRP grants an individual legal entry to Canada for a certain period of time, despite the fact that the individual is in fact inadmissible. It is essentially a “hall pass” that temporarily excuses the individual’s inadmissibility so that he or she may enter Canada. It can be valid for as short as a couple of days up to a maximum of three years.
A TRP can be applied for at any point. Unlike criminal rehabilitation, a TRP is not subject to a certain time frame in relation to the completion of the sentence. An individual can in fact be granted a TRP while still serving a portion of his or her sentence in certain circumstances.
In deciding whether or not to issue a TRP, a Canadian immigration visa officer will weigh the inadmissible person’s need to enter or remain in Canada against the health and security risks to the Canadian population. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that their entry into Canada is justified, no matter how minor the reason for inadmissibility may seem.
A TRP is issued for the length of the stay in Canada (up to three years) and may be extended from inside Canada. The permit is no longer valid if the holder exits Canada, unless re-entry had been authorized at the time of issuance. The permit can also be cancelled by an officer at any time.
In certain circumstances, the holder of a TRP will be granted permanent resident status in Canada.
To apply for a TRP, you will need to submit an application with the supporting documents explaining the reason behind your inadmissibility and why your entry into Canada may be justified. If you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you will need to apply based on the guidelines set out by your specific country as the application form may be different.