Not everyone realizes that when you attempt to enter Canada and you have a criminal record, you could be denied entry. Being denied entry to Canada can be extremely distressing, and even embarrassing. It doesn’t matter what kind of plans you have in Canada, or if you have someone waiting for you – you will be asked to turn around and leave. 
This is why it is so important to speak to a licensed immigration lawyer before you travel to Canada – before you even make plans, or buy tickets. Because if you are denied entry, you won’t be able to get that time or money back.
What should you do if you have a criminal record and want to go to Canada?
Meeting with a licensed immigration lawyer is a great first step when you have a criminal record and want to come to Canada – even if it is a misdemeanor or an older criminal record, it’s a wise move. That’s because there are several options that you can look into when you’re criminally inadmissible – but you may have to act long before you travel.
For example, you could apply for a temporary resident permit, which will allow you to enter Canada temporarily despite your criminal inadmissibility. This is something that can be applied for at the border, although there is also a risk to applying at the border because you could be denied.
One other thing you can look into is criminal rehabilitation, which is a process that removes your criminal inadmissibility permanently. However, unlike the temporary resident permit, which if you are approved for you can receive right away, the criminal rehabilitation can take many months to process.
If you’re planning on traveling to Canada, but you have a criminal record, call our immigration law firm for assistance with your case. You can e-mail us using the form on the right, or by giving us a call at the number above.
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.
