Who Should Use this Instruction Guide? This guide is for students who have a valid Canadian study permit and are applying for their Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) from within Canada.
General Overview of Applying Online Step 1:
Create a MyCIC Account by visiting www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/mycic.asp
Step 2:
Fill out an online questionnaire. Answer questions about your current status and what you would like to apply for. This will create a CHECKLIST OF DOCUMENTS that is specific to you.
Step 3:
Fill out the appropriate application and collect the required documents.
Step 4:
Submit your application, documents, and pay your fees.
How to Use This Instruction Guide Slides 2-27
Explain how to fill out the questionnaire through MyCIC which will create your Checklist of Documents (Steps 1 and 2 above)
Slides 28-32
Explains how to fill out the Application for Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) form IMM 5257. Answers frequently asked questions students have when completing this document (Step 3 above)
Visit www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/mycic.asp
If you already have a MyCIC account, login. If you do not have a MyCIC account, first create one.
After you have created your account, you will go to this home page. This is what you will see every time you login to your MyCIC Account.
If your primary reason for being in Canada is to study, then “study” applies to you even if you want to apply for your Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).
If you are at UOIT, your current status is most likely “student”.
If you answer ‘Yes’, skip to slide 15. If you answer ‘No’, proceed to next slide. Depending on your answers, your checklist may require that you get a medical exam performed.
If you answer ‘No’, skip to slide 15. If you answer ‘Yes’, proceed to next slide.
To view the list of designated countries and territories, visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/medical/dcl.asp.
If you answer “No”, skip to slide 21. If you answer “Yes”, proceed to next slide.
ERROR when selecting “Yes” If you are trying to apply for a TRV for another family member as well, the online system currently cannot do this. It will likely give you an incorrect application for your family member(s). Recommendation: • •
Apply by mail for all family members jointly (*this is recommended if there are minor children) Apply for each family member separately (*this is recommended if the family member is just a spouse/common-law partner)
Repeat Slides 15 -20 for each eligible family member you are apply for.
Unless you are letting another person contact CIC on your behalf to discuss your file, you would select “NO”.
If you answer “NO”, then you cannot apply online and it will tell you to mail in your application and documents.
Once you have completed the questionnaire of questions, it will let you review all of your answers. You can return to any of your answers to modify them by selecting the pencil icon on the right.
You WILL have difficulty opening the application (IMM 5257) below. Click here to find out how to download it.
After you complete the application on your computer, save it on your computer and then upload the file by clicking here.
Do not be confused by the Document Name. Though it says “made outside of Canada”, this is just mislabeled. IMM 5257 is the correct application form to be used for those applying for a TRV from WITHIN Canada.
Click on the “i” icon as this has important information about these specific documents. Read carefully.
Depending on how you answered the questions above, your checklist may be different and include additional documents. This is the basic checklist of documents you would require.
A Letter of Explanation is an optional letter you can type that explains your application to the visa officer. It is always recommended that you write one in order to explain what you are applying for and clarify things in your application.
Filling out Application Form IMM 5257 Question 1 - UCI? It is an 8-digit number found on your study permit. It is your unique client identifier. Question 3 – Visa Requested If you are applying for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), you would select “Visitor”
Application Section: PERSONAL DETAILS Question 7 – Current Country of Residence From:
Enter the date you first received student status. Most students receive their study permits at the airport when they first arrive.
To:
That is the date that should be used NOT the date they started school. Enter the expiry date issued on your study permit
Application Section: DETAILS OF VISIT TO CANADA Question 2 – Indicate how long you plan to say From: To:
Enter the date that you fill out the application Enter your study permit expiration
Question 3 – Funds available for my stay (CAD) This means for ONE year. This amount should include money available for tuition for one year, rent, plus other living expenses.
Application Section: EDUCATION Question – Have you had any post secondary education (including university, college or apprenticeship training)? • If you are coming to UOIT from High School, your answer would likely be “No”
• If you are currently studying at UOIT, you would select “Yes” and enter UOIT into the field below. • If your UOIT studies are already in progress, you can leave the “TO” date blank to indicate you are still studying.
Application Section: EMPLOYMENT • You should include your education here. Your “Current Activity/Occupation” would be “Student” • If education is still in progress, you can leave “TO” blank. • If you need more than three boxes to cover 10 years of employment history, write the additional employment history in your Letter of Explanation. • Make sure you don’t leave any gaps in your employment Example:
Application Section: BACKGROUND INFORMATION It is very important that you answer this section truthfully. Failure to do so can cause delays in application processing or rejection. A sample of how this section can be answered is given below. Do NOT copy! Answer with your own experience.
SIGNING ONLINE FORMS • Do not print and sign online application forms. • Follow instructions found here
Additional information Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada also has an Instruction Guide IMM 5256 which explains how to complete IMM 5257 (Applying for Visitor Visa). Review Instruction Guide IMM 5256 If you are having difficulty opening the application file, review CIC’s help section instructions.
Can I visit the USA with an expired TRV? According to Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulation R190(3)(f): (3) A foreign national is exempt from the requirement to obtain a temporary resident visa if they are seeking to enter and remain in Canada solely (f) to re-enter Canada following a visit solely to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon, if they (i) held a study permit or a work permit that was issued before they left Canada on such a visit or were authorized to enter and remain in Canada as a temporary resident, and (ii) return to Canada by the end of the period initially authorized for their stay or any extension to it;
Even though this regulation says you can visit the USA without a TRV in the above situations, you should know it is always up to the Border Officer to decide if they will allow you to re-enter. It is a risk you are taking traveling without a valid TRV when you come from a country that requires one.
