Yes, you can physically hold both a valid Study Permit document and a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) counterfoil in your passport at the same time. However, you only possess one active legal status in Canada (e.g., student), and securing both documents requires paying separate IRCC fees: $150 CAD for the permit and $100 CAD for the visa.
Navigating the Canadian immigration system often feels like learning a highly complex new language. One of the most common points of confusion for international students involves the difference between a visa and a permit. Many students open their passports and see a valid Visitor Visa (TRV) sticker, while simultaneously holding a large, separate piece of paper that says “Study Permit.” This leads to a frantic Google search: Is it illegal to have both? Did the government make a mistake?
Rest assured, there is no mistake. In Canada, visas and permits serve two entirely different legal functions. 📌 Think of the TRV as your physical key to the front door of Canada, allowing you to travel across the border. Your Study Permit, on the other hand, is your internal contract, dictating what you are legally allowed to do once you are inside the house (such as attending university and working 24 hours a week). This guide clarifies how you manage multiple counterfoils and documents without violating your immigration status.
Step-by-Step Process for Managing Multiple Canadian Documents
Whether you are entering through the airport in Toronto, Montreal, or Calgary, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) understands how these documents interact. Here is how you properly maintain your paperwork.
Step 1: Understand the Difference in Documents
You must separate the concepts in your mind. A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is strictly a travel document. 📄 It is the sticker in your passport. A Study Permit is a large standalone paper document issued to you upon arrival. Having a TRV sticker that says “Visitor” does not cancel out your Study Permit paper.
Step 2: Maintain Your Primary Legal Status
While you may hold multiple valid documents, Canadian law dictates that you only have one primary legal status on any given day. If you entered Canada to attend a university and CBSA printed your Study Permit, your legal status is “Student.” Even if you have a 10-year multiple-entry visitor visa in your passport, you are bound by the rules of your study permit while inside the country.
Step 3: Renewing Your Study Permit Inside Canada
When your academic programme takes longer than expected, you must apply to extend your Study Permit. 🔍 If approved, IRCC will mail you a new paper document. However, this extension does not automatically give you a new TRV sticker in your passport. You are legally allowed to stay inside Canada with the new paper permit, but if you leave, you cannot get back in.
Step 4: Applying for a New TRV for Travel
If your old TRV sticker has expired, but you want to travel home for the summer holidays, you must submit a separate application to IRCC for a new TRV from inside Canada. You must prove you have a valid Study Permit to get this new visa sticker. Do not leave the country until the new TRV is glued into your passport, or you will be denied boarding on your return flight.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Because visas and permits are distinct applications, you must pay the Canadian government for each service separately. Here are the standard fees in CAD: 💵
| Immigration Document / Service | Estimated Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Initial Study Permit (includes TRV) | $150 |
| Study Permit Extension (Inside Canada) | $150 |
| Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) Application | $100 |
| Biometrics Fee (If expired) | $85 per person |
How Long Does the Process Take?
Timing your applications is critical to avoid being stranded. Extending a Study Permit from inside Canada usually takes 60 to 90 days. 📅 Once you have the new paper permit, applying for a new TRV counterfoil to be placed in your passport takes an additional 14 to 30 days. You must mail your physical passport to the processing centre in Ottawa to receive the sticker, so you cannot travel during this waiting period.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a new TRV if I never leave Canada?
No. If your TRV expires but your paper Study Permit is still valid, you are perfectly legal to remain in Canada. The TRV is only required to cross the border and re-enter the country.
Can I work if my passport says I am a visitor?
If your paper Study Permit includes a condition that allows you to work off-campus, you can work. The “Visitor” TRV sticker in your passport does not override the working conditions printed on your valid study permit.
What happens if I enter Canada as a visitor first?
If you enter Canada using only your visitor visa, you are a visitor. You cannot legally start attending university classes until you formally apply for and receive a valid Study Permit from IRCC, which often must be processed outside of Canada.
Will IRCC cancel my visitor visa when they give me a study permit?
No. Unless there is an issue with misrepresentation, IRCC generally leaves your existing long-term TRV intact. You can hold both documents in your file simultaneously.
Can an immigration law firm help me get my TRV faster?
Lawyers cannot force IRCC to skip the queue, but a law firm ensures your TRV application is perfectly submitted without errors, which prevents costly delays and returns that commonly slow down international students.
Leave a Reply