Criminal Inadmissibility
Foreign nationals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offence anywhere in the world may be deemed ineligible to enter Canada legally. This is known as criminal inadmissibility, and it can affect your ability to visit, work, study, or immigrate to Canada. However, criminal inadmissibility does not have to be a permanent barrier, and there are ways to overcome it and enter Canada legally.
Determining Criminal Inadmissibility
The first step to overcoming criminal inadmissibility is to determine if your criminal record makes you inadmissible to Canada. This depends on several factors:
Options for Overcoming Criminal Inadmissibility
There are three main options for overcoming criminal inadmissibility: deemed rehabilitation, individual rehabilitation, and record suspension.
Gathering Required Documents and Evidence
To support your application for overcoming criminal inadmissibility, you generally need the following documents:
- Identity Documents Passport or travel document
- Authorization Documents: Visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA).
- Criminal Record: Police certificate or criminal record.
- Court Documents: Sentencing documents.
- Rehabilitation or Pardon Documents: Evidence of rehabilitation or pardon.
- Explanation Letter: Personal statement explaining the offense and rehabilitation.
- References: Letters of support from employers, family, or community members.
- Additional Evidence: Relevant documents like educational certificates, employment records, financial statements, medical reports, or travel plans.
Dealing with the Consequences and Challenges
Even if you successfully overcome criminal inadmissibility, you may face ongoing consequences and challenges: