Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented new fee adjustments for individuals seeking to return to Canada or restore their status after being deemed inadmissible. Effective December 1, 2023, application fees for such individuals have increased in accordance with federal legislation.
This change affects applications related to overcoming criminal or other forms of inadmissibility to Canada. The adjustment falls under the Service Fees Act (SFA), which requires service fees to be annually indexed for inflation. IRCC has applied this policy consistently since 2018, with the latest increase reflecting the most recent inflation rate.
The impacted applications include those for Temporary Resident Permits (TRP), Criminal Rehabilitation, and Legal Opinion Letters—each allowing individuals with past criminal records or other admissibility concerns a chance to lawfully re-enter or remain in Canada.
TRPs are granted to individuals who have compelling reasons to visit or stay in Canada, despite their inadmissibility. These permits can be issued for up to three years, depending on the applicant’s specific circumstances. Importantly, a prior criminal sentence does not need to be fully served before applying for a TRP.
Criminal Rehabilitation applications are another long-term solution for foreign nationals with prior offenses. Individuals may be eligible to have their inadmissibility permanently resolved if enough time has passed since the completion of their sentence and they can demonstrate rehabilitation.
Legal Opinion Letters, typically prepared by qualified immigration lawyers, offer a formal assessment of an individual’s case, outlining legal arguments and presenting mitigating factors. These can be particularly effective in clarifying complex situations and improving the chances of a successful reconsideration.
As part of its commitment to accountability under the SFA, IRCC will issue partial refunds—referred to as remissions—when service standards are not met. These refunds will apply to applications received on or after December 1, 2023, and are generally processed by July 1 of the following fiscal year.
Canada takes issues of inadmissibility seriously to ensure public safety, including thorough criminal background checks. Border enforcement agencies such as IRCC and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) work to prevent individuals with serious criminal backgrounds or security risks from entering the country.
For foreign nationals facing inadmissibility concerns, seeking legal advice and selecting the right pathway to rehabilitation or temporary access is often a crucial first step toward overcoming these challenges and re-establishing entry eligibility.
Maple News encourages readers facing such legal barriers to remain informed of policy changes and explore remedial options through proper legal channels.