Canadian Visa Bureau   »   Visas and Immigration   »   Canadian Visitor Visa   »  Inadmissibility to Canada

Canada Travel Visa Inadmissibility

Criminal Inadmissibility

If you have committed or been convicted of a criminal offence, including driving while under the influence of alcohol, you may be prohibited from entering Canada regardless of whether you are planning to visit, work, study or immigrate.

You may be permitted to come to Canada if:

• You have applied for rehabilitation and your application has been approved; OR
• You are able to satisfy an immigration officer that you meet the legal requirement to be deemed rehabilitated; OR
• You have obtained a Temporary Resident Permit; OR
• You have obtained a pardon from the National Parole Board of Canada if the criminal offence was committed in Canada; OR
• You have obtained a foreign pardon recognised in Canada.

Overcoming Criminal Inadmissibility

A legal decision on inadmissibility is made at the time you seek entry to Canada, either through an application or at a port of entry. The information below is for guidance and reference only.

There are a number of ways to overcome a past conviction. For each of them, you must provide the documentation and information concerning the details of these convictions.

This documentation and information includes:

• Information on the sentences you received for your convictions;
• Any pardons or discharges granted; AND
• Information on the laws under which you were convicted or pardoned or discharged.

If you are applying for a temporary resident visa or a permanent resident visa, you will have to provide details of your criminal history in your visa application.

Individual Rehabilitation

You can apply for individual rehabilitation if at least 5 years have passed since you have completed all your criminal sentences.

To apply for individual rehabilitation, you must submit an application and pay a processing fee. Applications for rehabilitation can take over a year to process.

Deemed Rehabilitation

You may be deemed rehabilitated if at least 10 years have passed since you completed the sentence imposed for your crime.

Some requirements for deemed rehabilitation include:

• You have only been convicted of one offence; AND
• The offence would be punishable in Canada by a maximum term of imprisonment of less than 10 years.

You are not required to submit an application to be deemed rehabilitated.

Pardon or Discharge

If you received a Canadian pardon for your conviction, you may be allowed to enter Canada.

If you received a pardon or discharge for your conviction in a country other than Canada, check with the Canadian Consulate or High Commission nearest you for more information.

Temporary Resident Permit

If justified by compelling circumstances, foreign nationals who are inadmissible to Canada, including people who have a criminal conviction may be issued a temporary resident permit allowing them to enter or remain in Canada.