Frequently Asked Questions: Visiting Canada

What is the difference between a single-entry visa and a multiple-entry visa?

There are two types of Temporary Resident Visa: a single-entry visa and a multiple-entry visa. Temporary Resident Visas are valid for a fixed period, whether they are a single-entry visa or a multiple-entry visa. You cannot use a visa after its expiry date.

Multiple-entry visa

A multiple-entry visa allows you to enter Canada several times during the period while your visa is valid. A multiple-entry visa is valid for a maximum of 10 years or one month prior to the expiry date on the passport/re-entry visa, whichever is earlier.

If a multiple-entry visa is approved, it will allow you to enter and leave Canada repeatedly during the validity period of the visa. You must arrive in Canada on or before the expiry date on your visa. You cannot get a multiple-entry visa for a period that ends after the expiry date of your passport. If your passport will expire soon, you should renew it before you apply for your visa.

If you want to visit several other countries or return to your own country before coming back to Canada, you will need a multiple-entry visa. If you plan to visit Canada frequently, a multiple-entry visa is recommended.

Single-entry visa

A single-entry visa allows you to enter Canada once.

When you arrive at the point of entry in Canada, an officer of the Canada Border Services Agency will make sure you meet the requirements to enter Canada.

The officer will authorize your stay by placing a stamp in your passport and/or issuing an additional document.

If there is no stamp, a handwritten date or document in your passport, your temporary resident status will expire six months from the day you arrived in Canada.

If you were given a visitor record, student or work permit, the expiry date is marked on the document.

If you leave Canada during your authorized stay, you must get a new visitor visa to re-enter Canada.

There are two exceptions: you can visit the United States or Saint-Pierre et Miquelon and return to Canada without getting a new visa, as long as you:

• return within the initial period authorized by the immigration officer or
• have a valid visitor record, work permit, study permit, or a temporary resident permit (authorizing re-entry) and return within the initial period authorized by the officer.

Cruise ship passengers, take note

It should be noted that if you are on a cruise ship which departs from the United States and enters international waters, you will need to either obtain a multiple-entry visa or apply for a new visa to re-enter Canada.  Please note that Canadian immigration and visa services are only provided by our offices in Buffalo, Detroit, Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. Find out where to apply.

Do I need a visa if I am travelling through Canada without stopping or visiting?

Canada requires the citizens of certain countries and territories to have visas when they enter Canada. If you need a visa to visit Canada, then you will need a transit visa to travel through Canada without stopping or visiting. You will need a transit visa even if you stop in Canada for less than 48 hours. To find out if your country is on this list, see list of countries.

There is no fee for a transit visa.

How do I help a family member or a friend apply to visit Canada?

Anyone who visits Canada must apply from outside the country. If you have a friend or family member who wants to visit Canada, they must apply to the Canadian visa office responsible for their country or region. A visa officer will review the application and decide whether to issue a visa.

You can help by writing a letter of invitation. The letter should explain how you will help. For example, you may offer to pay for plane tickets or accommodation. A letter of invitation can help, but it does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.

Find out how to write a letter of invitation in the Related Links section below.

Related Links

• Letter of invitation

How do I get help if my application is refused?

There is no formal appeal process if your application for a Temporary Resident Visa is refused.

You can apply again. Make sure that you provide any information or documents that were missing from your first application. If you do not send new information or if your situation has not changed, the new application will probably not be accepted.

Canada has privacy laws that prevent Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) from discussing your application with someone else, unless you give written permission. If you want a representative or an agent to help you with an application, you must notify CIC in writing. For more information about using a representative, see the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

Related Links

• What to do if your visa application is refused
• Use of a representative
• Authorized representatives
• Third-party access to your personal information

If I get sick or have an accident while I am visiting Canada, will the Government of Canada pay for my medical treatment?

Canada does not pay for hospital or medical services for visitors. Make sure you have health insurance to cover any medical costs before you come to Canada.

Do I need a Temporary Resident Visa to visit Canada?

It depends on which country you are from. See a list of countries and territories whose passport holders need a Temporary Resident Visa to enter Canada.

Can I fill out one form for my entire family if we are traveling together?

No. Each individual applicant must complete and sign the Application for Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside of Canada (IMM 5257) form, as well as any other required forms. For example, a family of three people will submit three individual TRV application forms. Each applicant aged 18 and over must also complete the Family Information (IMM 5645) form.

You can submit all family member application forms in the same envelope with one payment receipt for the total amount of all your applications.

Do my children need to complete the new application form?

Parents or guardians can assist children in filling out their forms. Parents or guardians must sign the forms on behalf of any children under the age of 18. 

However, if your child is aged 18 and over, they must complete and sign their own application forms as well as any other required forms.

If I submitted an older application form, do I need to resubmit my application using the form that is currently on the CIC Web site?

There is no need to resubmit applications. Applications previously received on older forms will continue to be processed in the queue in which they were received.  Please note that as of January 15, 2011, older version forms are no longer be accepted.  You must use the current Application for Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside of Canada [IMM5257] form. For questions regarding processing times, please check our processing times.

What makes the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa different from what is available now as a visitor visa?

Currently, visitors to Canada usually may only visit for six months at a time. Most visitors who wish to stay longer must apply for an extension, and pay a new fee, every six months. With the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, eligible parents and grandparents will pay fewer fees and have some certainty that they will be able to enjoy the company of their families in Canada for a longer period of time.

CIC will be able to issue the visas, on average, within eight weeks of the application. This means that instead of waiting for eight years, a parent or a grandparent can come to Canada within eight weeks.

Is the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa a multi-entry visa? What's the difference between the Super Visa and the 10-year multiple entry visa?

Yes, the Super Visa is a multi-entry visa that will provide multiple entries for a period up to ten years. The key difference is that the Super Visa will have status periods for each entry that last up to two years, while the 10-year multiple entry visa status period for each entry is six months.

The Super Visa is also available as a single-entry visa, if that is the applicant’s preference.

If parents and grandparents are already in Canada and their visa will be expiring soon, what should they do? Will they be eligible to renew their status from in Canada?

An application for a new single- or multi-entry visa must be done from outside Canada at a visa office.

However, parents and grandparents who are in Canada on an authorized stay of up to six months may apply for an extension of their status of up to two years by submitting an application to the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville, Alberta, as long as they meet all the criteria for the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa. These applications will be examined on a case-by-case basis.

Who is eligible for a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa? What do they need to do to qualify for it?

Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who have been found admissible to Canada and meet some other conditions are eligible for the Super Visa.

Visa officers consider several factors before deciding if the person is admissible.  This means they are a genuine visitor to Canada who will leave by choice at the end of their visit. Among the things that could be considered are:

• the person’s ties to the home country,
• the purpose of the visit,
• the person’s family and financial situation,
• the overall economic and political stability of the home country, and
• invitations from Canadian hosts.

In addition to being found admissible to Canada, the parent/grandparent must also:

• provide a written commitment of financial support from their child or grandchild in Canada who meets a minimum income threshold,
• prove that they have bought Canadian medical insurance for at least one year to cover the period of time that they will be in Canada, and
• complete an Immigration Medical Examination (IME).

I am eligible, as a parent of a Canadian citizen, for the Super Visa, but I also have a dependant living with me in my home country. Is my dependant also eligible for the Super Visa?

No. Dependants of parents and grandparents are not eligible for the Super Visa. They remain eligible to apply for regular visitor visas, though.

What happens if I am from the United States, France, the United Kingdom or another country whose citizens are not required to have a visa to enter Canada? Am I still eligible for a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa? What do I need to do to enjoy the Super Visa’s two-year authorized stay in Canada?

Yes, if you are from a country whose citizens are not required to have a visa to enter Canada, you are eligible for a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa. Simply:

• Apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (no fee required) at a Canadian visa office;
• Undergo a medical examination; and
• Provide the supporting documents required, including proof of your relationship to a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident and proof of their financial support during your stay in Canada.

You will also need proof that you have purchased Canadian medical insurance.

If you have met all the criteria, you will be issued a letter which you will present to a Canada Border Services Agency officer at the port of entry when you arrive in Canada. The officer may authorize your visit to Canada for up to two years.

How do I calculate "family size" when applying for the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa? Who should I include?

When applying for a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, the total family size that will be considered includes:

• the inviting child or grandchild;
• the spouse of the inviting child or grandchild;
• the dependants of the inviting child or grandchild;
• any person not already included who has previously been sponsored (or co-signed) by the inviting child or grandchild and for whom the sponsorship is still in effect; and
• parents or grandparents of the inviting child or grandchild who are seeking a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa.

Examples:

1. The inviting child or grandchild in Canada, who is not married and has no children, has invited one parent to visit Canada for a two-year stay. The family size equals two.
2. The inviting family in Canada is a family of four (inviting child or grandchild, their spouse, two dependent children), and they plan to host two visiting parents. The family size equals six.
3. The inviting family in Canada is a family of three (inviting child or grandchild, their spouse, one dependent child). The inviting child or grandchild previously co-signed the sponsorship of his or her spouse's parents (two persons) and that sponsorship is still in effect. Now, the inviting child or grandchild has invited his or her own two parents for a long-term visit with a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa. The family size equals seven.

What happens if a parent or grandparent (PGP) with a sponsorship application already submitted decides that they would prefer to visit Canada for up to 2 years instead of immigrating? Can they cancel their FC4 application and apply for a Super Visa instead? Will they be refunded the fees paid?

PGP sponsorship applications can be withdrawn at any time. Whether a full or partial refund will be given is determined by the stage at which the application is at in the queue. If processing has started, only a portion of your payment may be refunded. If, however, processing has not started on your application, a full refund will be given. Please allow up to 16 weeks for the delivery of your refund.

Why is Canada imposing a visa on the Czech Republic?

Under Canada’s immigration law, all visitors to Canada require a Temporary Resident Visa, except citizens of countries for which an exemption has been granted under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

Canada assesses countries against several criteria when deciding whether to impose a visa requirement. The Czech Republic no longer meets all of the criteria for visa exemption. For example, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of refugee claims from Czech nationals. There were less than five claims in 2006. Since the visa requirement was lifted in October 2007, there have been nearly 3,000 claims. The Czech Republic is now the second top source country for refugee claims.

Since the visa requirement was lifted in 2007, there has also been a noticeable increase in the number of immigration violations. Violations range from not people not possessing the proper travel documents to people not leaving Canada once their period of stay had expired.

I am a Czech citizen living in the Czech Republic and want to travel to Canada, what do I need to do?

You will need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa at the Embassy of Canada in Vienna, Austria, or at the Canadian Embassy in Prague, Czech Republic. Information for applicants is available on the Embassies’ websites in Vienna, Austria or in Prague, Czech Republic.

You may apply in person, by mail, courier or through an authorized travel agent.

If you need to travel to Canada on an urgent basis, you are encouraged to refer to the websites in Vienna and Prague for your options. It is possible for another person to bring your application on your behalf.

I am a Czech citizen living outside of the Czech Republic and want to travel to Canada, what do I need to do?

If you do not live in the Czech Republic or are visiting another country en route to Canada, you may apply for a Temporary Resident Visa at the nearest Canadian visa office. A list of Canadian visa offices is available on our website.

Will I need to have an interview?

Not everyone will need an interview. If one is required, you will be contacted by the Embassy for an appointment in Prague.

Will I need to have a medical exam in order to get a visa?

Generally, a medical exam is not required, however one may be required if you are going to Canada to work in an occupational category which poses unique public health risks (e.g. teachers, hospital workers).

How long will it take for me to get a visa once I apply?

You may apply at the Canadian Embassy in Vienna or at the Canadian Embassy in Prague. Visit the Embassies’ websites, in Vienna or in Prague, for more information about processing times.

If you are planning to travel to Canada in the next few months, please apply as soon as possible.

I am a Czech citizen and possess a multiple-entry visa that is still valid. Can I use that visa to travel to Canada?

Yes, if your multiple-entry visa has not expired and is in a valid machine-readable passport, you may use it to travel to Canada. If your visa is not in a machine-readable passport, please contact the Embassy of Canada in Vienna or in Prague for further information.

A machine readable passport is a passport that contains information that is specially formatted for machine reading. You can check to see if your passport is machine-readable by looking on the biographical page to see if it contains two lines of text at the bottom of that page.

How much does a visa cost?

For a list of fees, consult the Embassies’ websites in Vienna or in Prague.

I am a Czech citizen currently in Canada as a visitor. I want to extend my stay, what do I need to do?

If you are already in Canada when the new visa requirement came into effect, you can remain in Canada, subject to the terms of your visitor record, work permit or study permit.

If an extension is required, you are required to make an application to CIC’s processing centre in Vegreville, Alberta, before the expiry date on the document.

If, during your stay in Canada, you choose to travel anywhere outside of the United States or Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, while your work permit, study permit or visitor record is still valid, you will need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa to re-enter Canada

If I want to work or study in Canada, do I also need a Temporary Resident Visa?

Yes, a Czech citizen who wants to work or study in Canada will need a temporary resident visa and may also require a study or work permit.  You should refer to the Vienna website for information on whether you require a work or study permit.

Applications for study and work permits should be submitted to the Canadian Embassy in Vienna for processing. If you have submitted an application for a study or work permit, a separate application for a temporary resident visa will not be required because the issuance of a work or study permit will include a TRV.

Is the visa requirement temporary?

Canada assesses countries against several criteria when deciding whether to impose a visa requirement. The Czech Republic no longer meets all of the criteria for visa exemption. We will assess these criteria in making any future decision regarding the visa requirement.

By imposing a visa, isn’t Canada denying refugee protection to those who need it?

No. Canada’s refugee protection system continues to be fair and currently has one of the highest acceptance rates among western countries. The visa imposition does not bar anyone from making an asylum application. Czech nationals will simply be required to have a Temporary Resident Visa to travel to Canada.

I am a tour operator who has clients with reservations to travel to Canada. Can I do anything?

A Temporary Resident Visa is required for Czech nationals travelling to Canada. As a tour operator, you are encouraged to consider submitting your clients’ visa applications, along with all of the required documents including the processing fee and details of the tour, in bulk to the Embassy of Canada which will then process them together. This should be done as soon as possible in advance of the tour’s departure.

Every effort will be made to process the applications on an urgent basis.

Visit the Embassies’ websites for information on how to apply: in Vienna and in Prague.

I am a Czech citizen with US residency (Green Card). Do I need a visa to visit Canada or can I use my Green Card?

As a US Green Card holder, you do not require a Temporary Resident Visa to travel to Canada. At the Canadian border, you will be required to present your valid passport and Green Card.

I frequently travel to Canada. Will I need to apply for a visa each time?

You are encouraged to apply for a multiple-entry visa which is valid for up to five years. Multiple-entry visas cannot be issued beyond the date that your passport expires. Information is available on the Embassies’ websites for information on how to apply: in Vienna and in Prague

Why is Canada imposing a visa on Mexico?

Under Canada’s immigration law, all visitors to Canada require a Temporary Resident Visa, except citizens of countries for which an exemption has been granted under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

Canada assesses countries against several criteria when deciding whether to impose a visa requirement. Mexico no longer meets all of the criteria for visa exemption. For example, refugee claims from Mexico have almost tripled since 2005, making it the number one source country for claims. In 2008, more than 9,400 claims filed in Canada came from Mexican nationals, representing 25 per cent of all claims received. Of the claims reviewed and finalized in 2008 by the Immigration and Refugee Board, an independent administrative tribunal, only 11 per cent were accepted.

For the past three years, Canada has also seen an increase in immigration violations. This includes Mexican nationals not possessing the proper travel documents or not leaving Canada once their period of stay had expired.

My flight to Canada is leaving tomorrow, do I need a visa?

The visa requirement comes into effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT on July 14, 2009 (11:01 p.m. CDT Mexico City local time on July 13, 2009), but for the first 48 hours, you may apply for entry on arrival in Canada.

If you plan to arrive after 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 15, 2009 (10:59 p.m. CDT Mexico City local time), you will need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa by sending an application to the Embassy of Canada in Mexico City. Please check the Embassy’s website for information on how to apply.

I am a Mexican citizen living in Mexico and want to travel to Canada, what do I need to do?

You now require a Temporary Resident Visa to come to Canada. The process for applying for a visa is available on the Embassy of Canada in Mexico City’s website.

Once you have completed your application and included all necessary documents, such as your passport, you can mail or courier the application along with a pre-paid airway bill (return registered mail), to the Embassy of Canada in Mexico City.

If an interview is required, the Embassy will contact you to arrange one.

Applicants are encouraged to send their applications by courier or registered mail and to avoid visiting the Embassy unless specifically invited.

I am a Mexican citizen living outside of Mexico and want to travel to Canada, what do I need to do?

If you do not live in Mexico or are visiting another country en route to Canada, you may apply for a Temporary Resident Visa at the nearest Canadian office. A list of Canadian visa offices is available on our website.

I need to travel to Canada on an urgent basis, what do I need to do?

If you need to travel to Canada on an urgent basis, download the Emergency Processing Request Form from the Canadian Embassy’s website and include it on top of your application for a visa.

Please ensure that your application is complete with all supporting documents such as your passport. You can mail or courier the application along with a pre-paid airway bill (return registered mail), to the Embassy of Canada in Mexico City. Every effort will be made to process urgent cases as a priority.

Under what circumstances will travel be considered ‘urgent’?

Anyone who needs to travel for family emergencies, such as a death in the family, or for urgent business reasons, will be processed as a priority.

Workers whose employment is due to begin will also be processed on a priority basis.

Will I need an interview?

Not everyone will need an interview. If one is required, you will be contacted by the Embassy for an appointment.

Will I need to have a medical exam in order to get a visa?

A medical exam is required for anyone who plans to be in Canada for more than six months, as well as anyone coming to Canada to work in an occupational category which poses unique public health risks (e.g. teachers, hospital workers).

How long will it take for me to get a visa once I apply?

At this time, we cannot provide a firm answer. CIC is working quickly to increase processing capacity in Mexico City. In the short-term, you can expect to experience some delays.

I already have my ticket to Canada. Do I now need to get a visa?

After 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 15, 2009 (10:59 p.m. CDT Mexico City local time), you will need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa by sending an application to the Embassy of Canada in Mexico City.

If you need to travel within the week and have already bought your airline ticket, download the Emergency Processing Request Form from the Embassy’s website and include it on top of your application for a visa.

Please check the Embassy’s website for information on how to apply.

I frequently travel to Canada. Will I need to apply for a visa each time?

You are encouraged to apply for a multiple-entry visa which is valid for up to five years. Multiple-entry visas cannot be issued beyond the date that your passport expires. Information is available on the Embassy’s website.

How much does a visa cost?

For a list of fees, consult the Embassy’s website.

I am a seasonal agricultural worker, how does this change affect me?

You will be issued a visa at the same time as your work permit.

I am a Mexican citizen currently in Canada as a visitor. I want to extend my stay, what do I need to do?

If you are already in Canada when the new visa requirement came into effect, you can remain in Canada, subject to the terms of your visitor record, work permit or study permit.

If an extension is required, you are required to make an application to CIC’s processing centre in Vegreville, Alberta, before the expiry date on the document.

If, during your stay in Canada, you choose to travel to Mexico or anywhere outside of the United States or Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, while your work permit, study permit or visitor record is still valid, you will need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa to re-enter Canada.

If I want to work or study in Canada, do I also need a Temporary Resident Visa?

Yes you do. Please check the ‘Visit’ section of our website for more information or go directly to the Canadian Embassy’s website for information on how to apply.

I am a Mexican citizen and I recently received a letter from the Canadian Embassy confirming the issuance of my work permit or study permit but I have not yet arrived in Canada. Do I need a visa?

The visa requirement comes into effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT on July 14, 2009 (11:01 p.m. CDT Mexico City local time on July 13, 2009), but for the first 48 hours, you may apply for entry on arrival in Canada.

If you plan to arrive after 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 15, 2009 (10:59 p.m. CDT Mexico City local time), you will need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa by sending an application to the Embassy of Canada in Mexico City. Please check the Embassy’s website for information on how to apply.

Is the visa requirement temporary?

Canada assesses countries against several criteria when deciding whether to impose a visa requirement. Mexico does not meet all of the criteria for visa exemption. We will assess these criteria in making any future decision regarding the visa requirement.

By imposing a visa, isn’t Canada denying refugee protection to those who need it?

No. Canada’s refugee protection system continues to be fair and currently has one of the highest acceptance rates among western countries. The visa imposition does not bar anyone from making an asylum application. Mexican nationals will simply be required to have a Temporary Resident Visa to travel to Canada.

I am a tour operator who has clients with reservations to travel to Canada. Can I do anything?

A Temporary Resident Visa is required for Mexican nationals travelling to Canada. As a tour operator, you are encouraged to consider submitting your clients’ visa applications, along with all of the required documents including the processing fee and details of the tour, in bulk to the Embassy of Canada which will then process them together. This should be done as soon as possible in advance of the tour’s departure.

Every effort will be made to process the applications on an urgent basis.

Visit the Embassy’s website for information on how to apply.

I am a Mexican citizen with US residency (Green Card). Do I need a visa to visit Canada or can I use my Green Card?

As a US Green Card holder, you do not require a Temporary Resident Visa to travel to Canada. At the Canadian border, you will be required to present your valid passport and Green Card.

What is a business visitor?

A business visitor is someone who comes to Canada to engage in international business activities without directly entering the Canadian labour market. For example, someone who comes to Canada to meet with representatives of companies doing business with their country would be considered a business visitor.

Visitors may be in Canada for business meetings or site visits (to observe only). A person invited to Canada by a Canadian company for training in product use, sales or other functions related to a business transaction would also be included.

Business visitors must prove that their main source of income and their main place of business are outside Canada.

Does a business visitor need a special visa to enter Canada?

No. There is no separate application for business visitors. The temporary resident visa covers all visitors, including those in Canada on business. See Do you need a visa? to find out if your visitor must apply for one.

If I am a business visitor, can I work in Canada?

No. If you are a business visitor and you want to work in Canada, you will need a work permit.

Do I need a work permit as a business visitor?

You do not need a temporary work permit unless you are doing work such as executive, managerial, technical or production activities. In these cases, you must get a temporary work permit in addition to the temporary resident visa.

Does Canada plan to remove the visa requirements for visitors from China and India

Visa requirements are regularly reviewed for potential visa exemption or removal of the exemption. The review is based on objective country-by-country assessments of criteria related to socio-economic indicators, immigration issues, travel documents, border management, and safety and security issues.

Visa requirements are Canada’s first line of defence in maintaining Canadians’ health and safety where world travellers are concerned. By law, all visitors to Canada need a visa, except for citizens of countries that have been granted an exemption.

For a complete list of countries whose citizens require a visa, see Do you need a visa?

If I am from a country where I do not need a temporary resident visa to enter Canada, what, if any, documents should I bring?

There are a number of documents you must show to the border officer when you arrive in Canada. Please see Business visitors: Arriving for more information about these documents.

What can happen if I do not have all the documents for the border officer?

You may be referred to another officer for an interview to determine if you are eligible for entry to Canada as a temporary resident. The documents you show the border officer support your application to come to Canada as a business visitor and will help the officer make a decision on your case.

Can I renew my visa?

You will have to satisfy the visa officer that no portion of your net worth was obtained as a result of criminal activity.

I already have a multiple-entry temporary resident visa because I was visiting a relative in Canada last year. Can I use the same visa to travel to Canada on a business trip?

Yes, as long as it is still valid and has not expired. You should ensure that you have documents that support your business visit to Canada. See Business visitors — Checklists for more information.

Related Links

• Business visitors: Checklists

I have a temporary resident visa that I used for a recent business visit to Canada. Do I need another visa for my holidays in Canada?

If it is a multiple-entry visa, and the visa has not yet expired, you can use it to enter Canada for both business and tourism.

Who do I contact if I have any questions about the temporary resident visa?

You should consult the website of the visa office where you are applying and follow the instructions it gives to contact the office.

Do I have to submit my passport with my application for a temporary resident visa?

Yes. However, the visa office where you apply may have certain instructions on how and where to submit your passport and how to get your visa. Please consult the website of the visa office where you are applying. If you will need your passport for other travel while your application is being processed, inform the visa office and they will let you know what to do.

If my temporary resident visa is valid until a certain date, does it mean that I must leave Canada by that date?

The date on the temporary resident visa is the date by which you must arrive in Canada. The border officer at the port of entry will stamp your passport with the date by which you must leave Canada.