When you arrive at the Canadian border, you are expected to disclose any possible criminal record or arrests you may have. In many cases, particularly if you are from the United States, Canadian border officials can see if you have a criminal record and what it is for – if you withhold information, you could get into trouble.
It is always in your best interest to be honest to border officials when you enter a country. If you do have a criminal record, border officials may deny your entry to Canada. But there are steps you can take to avoid this. 
A criminal record could prevent you from Entering Canada.
Speaking with a licensed immigration lawyer can be a very wise step if you are planning on traveling to Canada. They can review your situation and help you determine if you would be considered inadmissible to Canada, and what you can do about it.
You may not realize that you do have options as someone who could be inadmissible to Canada because of a criminal record.
These options include applying for criminal rehabilitation, which will remove your criminal inadmissibility to Canada. You would apply for criminal rehabilitation through your Canadian consulate or embassy, and it can take many months for this application to be processed. However, it is a more permanent solution and once your criminal inadmissibility is removed you may come and visit Canada.
You could also apply for a Temporary Resident Permit, which is available the US-Canada border or at the Canadian embassy. Applying at the US-Canada border is instantaneous, it can also be risky as you could have traveled all that way for nothing if you are denied. This is also only a temporary solution, and you may need to demonstrate that there is an urgent reason for you to come to Canada.
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President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
