Protection and assistance for victims of human trafficking

Special temporary resident permit for victims

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking without legal status in Canada, you may apply for a special temporary resident permit (TRP). This special permit gives you temporary immigration status in Canada for 180 days.

If you’re issued a TRP, you can also get a work permit or study permit and health-care benefits.

We’ll issue you a TRP for many reasons, including to:

• escape the influence of traffickers
• give you time to decide whether you wish to return home
• have time to recover from physical or mental trauma
• assist with the investigation or prosecution of the traffickers

Depending on your situation, we may issue you another TRP at the end of the 180-day period.

Special considerations

In Canada, you don’t have to testify against your trafficker to get temporary or permanent resident status.

How to apply

Victims are mostly referred to IRCC by law enforcement or non-governmental organizations. However, victims can also self-identify to IRCC.

You or your representative (if applicable), who acts on your behalf, will need to mail the following completed application to the IRCC Vulnerable Persons Unit at the address below:

IRCC – Vulnerable Persons Unit
5343 Dundas Street West, Suite 105
Toronto ON  M9B 6K5

• Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Visitor or Temporary Resident Permit Holder [IMM 5708] (PDF, 0.6 MB)

If a representative is acting on your behalf, you also need to fill out and submit the following form:

• Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (PDF, 0.3 MB)

Write “VTIP” (human trafficking victim) on the outside of the envelope to help us quickly identify your application.

You may need to be interviewed by an immigration officer, who will decide if you’ll get a temporary resident permit.

Please refer to Guide 5554 – Applying to remain in Canada as a temporary resident holder for additional guidance.