PDU – Examination and admission of temporary residents at the port of entry – January 26, 2018

The instructions on examination and admission at the port of entry (POE) for temporary residents have been updated to clarify the length of admissions for temporary residents as determined by an officer at the POE.

The Immigration Program Guidance Branch receives a significant number of functional guidance questions from immigration representatives indicating that the current instructions on this topic are unclear. The changes also address the length of stay determined at the POE for holders of a super visa.

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Length of admissions

An officer at the POE will determine the length of time that a temporary resident may remain in Canada.

Note: In general, stamps issued by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers at the POE are valid for a period of 6 months from the date of entry.

If a handwritten date has been placed under the stamp, the period of authorized stay expires on that date.

For example, for parents and grandparents who possess the super visa temporary resident visa or letter, CBSA officers will handwrite a date that is 2 years from the date of entry on their initial visit only.

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Length of admissions

An officer at the POE will determine the length of time that a temporary resident may remain in Canada.

Note: In general, stamps issued by CBSA officers at the POE are valid for a period of:

• six months from the date of entry (for visitors); or
• two years from the date of initial entry (for parents and grandparents who possess the super visa-PG1 TRV or letter).

If a handwritten date has been placed under the stamp, then the period of authorized stay expires on that date.

Updated instructions

• Temporary residents: Examination and admission at the port of entry