(Below is a transcription of this video)
Hi. My name is Michael Niren. I’m an immigration lawyer and founder of
VisaPlace.com. Today we have a question: Can I immigrate to Canada if I
have a criminal record?
Well, the answer is it depends. It depends on the seriousness of the
offense and the circumstances. In many cases, if you have a criminal
record, a DUI, an assault charge, for example, you may be able to still
immigrate to Canada, but you’re going to have to apply for what is called
the TRP, or a Temporary Resident Permit, which is a special permit which
will enable you to come to Canada, despite the fact that you’re
inadmissible on criminal grounds.
Immigrating to Canada With a Criminal Record
Now, it all depends on the nature of the offense and how long ago it was,
and how many… There’s a lot of things you have to take into account to
evaluate whether or not there’s going to be a problem. So, if you intend to
immigrate to Canada, and you have a criminal offense, it’s very important
to retain the services of an immigration lawyer, especially in a case like
this, to investigate your situation and give you proper advice.
We Can Help to Give You Immigration Options
The application can take longer than normal, given the complexity of the
situation. The general answer to the question is, in most cases, there is
an option of coming to Canada if you have an offense. Some cases are very,
very serious, where the application will likely be refused. If the
application is refused, there’s also the option of appealing the refusal,
which is another process, and it’s quite involved as well.
So hopefully, this gives you some idea of what’s involved. Thank you, and
have a great day.
Contact our experienced team today, and let us help you with your options for entering Canada with a criminal record.
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.
