Maple News reports that having a criminal record—even from many years ago—could make you inadmissible to Canada as a foreign national. In fact, Canadian immigration law allows border officers to deny entry to anyone who is not a Canadian citizen if they are deemed “criminally inadmissible.”
Criminal inadmissibility is determined by comparing your past criminal offenses to their equivalent in Canadian law. Whether or not you were convicted, simply being charged or having committed an offense—regardless of prosecution outcome—can make you ineligible to enter Canada.
Canada categorizes inadmissibility based on the severity of the offense, known as either “criminality” or “serious criminality.” The difference depends on how the Canadian legal system classifies the offense at the time it occurred. Lesser offenses, such as petty theft or certain driving-related infractions, are considered under “criminality,” while more serious offenses like assault with a weapon, drug trafficking, or fraud fall under “serious criminality.”
The process of assessment involves determining whether your offense would also be a crime under Canadian law. This concept, called equivalency, is crucial. If no equivalent offense exists in Canada, you may not be found inadmissible based on that crime.
That said, there are pathways to overcome criminal inadmissibility. Depending on how much time has passed since the completion of your sentence and the nature of the offense, you may be eligible for one of the following remedies:
– Deemed rehabilitation (automatic in some cases after enough time passes)
– Individual rehabilitation (which you must apply for)
– A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), which allows short-term lawful entry
Each of these options involves specific criteria and documentation, and people seeking entry are advised to consult with immigration professionals before making plans to travel.
Consequences of being found inadmissible include being denied entry at the border or removal from the country if you’re currently in Canada. This could impact both temporary visits and applications for permanent residency.
Maple News encourages potential travelers and applicants with past criminal histories to get informed early, as the process can be complex and time-consuming—especially under “serious criminality” classifications. Timely legal advice can help clarify your status and outline next steps for lawful entry into Canada.