I just successfully applied for TRP thru the mail/online.
follow these instructions/Include all these things in your packet to send to the Canadian Consulate:
1. Download/print/fill out the form IMM 1444 (application for criminal rehabilitation) "www cic gc ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM1444E.pdf"
2. Check the "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" box (sec A part 2)
3. On top of the first page of the form just write on it "TRP"
4. Photocopy of your Passport/Birth Cert/Drivers Lic, (really only need passport)
5. Compelling letter written by you or someone who can write a nicely worded proper letter. This letter must explain why you are not admissible, the details of your arrest/conviction, your explanation for why you not a threat to society, your good reason for coming to Canada, and the time/dates you'll be there.
6. Copies of Any paperwork related to your conviction/sentence/fees paid/court docs/rehab completed/... basically official court docs showing what/when you were convicted of and the sentence imposed and anything that says you completed sentence/rehab.
7. Copy of your itinerary with your Canadian trip. This can be a print out of your schedule, what hotels your staying at, your airline ticket info, addresses of where you'll be staying, where you'll be crossing the border etc... as much info as you can give.
8. between 1 and 3 character references. Write a nice letter saying what normal responsible individual you are and have a boss or co worker or friend sign it. Look up character reference letter. They ask for 3 letters, I gave 1 letter and 2 references the could contact.(they did not)
9. PAY THE FEE! It cost $200 Canadian dollars to process this. The fee can be paid online and then you print out a receipt. You must provide the internet receipt with a bar code on it. The most common reason for returned form is incorrect fees. "www cic gc ca/english/information/fees/index.asp"
10. Copy of the Canadian law you broke - look it up online and print it out, it will help your agent process your paperwork.
I asked them to make my TRP good for all year but they only made it valid for the time I showed on my itineraries, so unless you have proof of your travels for all year they may only make it good for the duration you can account for.
I have gotten a TRP at the border before but it takes hours, and the border agents always say i should have taken care of it before hand. Generally you can get one at the border, I think they will turn you away only if you're a jerk or a really violent criminal.
From the time they received my packet at the consulate to when I got the email from them saying it was approved was 6 business days. I was very surprised by how fast the response was. The agents told me the average process time is 10 business days.
You can also include a return envelope in the packet so they can return correspondence to you quickly with no email. I included a pre paid express envelope with tracking, but they just emailed me the letter... waste of envelope
Put all this in a big envelope and send it to the Canadian Consulate: Immigration section. Depending on what part of the US you live in, I live west coast and I sent mine to the L.A. consulate office:
Immigration Section/Canadian Consulate
550 S. Hope Street, 9th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
re: Application for Temporary Resident Permit
Provide your email address on the form and they will email you a letter that you take to the border with you and your all good!
The TRP process is similar to the rehabilitation process but you don't have to include all of the really difficult documents that take months to get like an FBI report and local police clearance etc... 5 years after your sentence completion you are eligible for Canadian "Rehabilitation" which means you wont need TRP ever again and you can come and go freely. Rehabilitation is a lengthy semi expensive process that takes months to get and lots of paperwork.
Check out "www cic gc ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5507E.pdf"
also "www cic gc ca/english/information/applications/guides/5312ETOC.asp"