Can Someone be Denied Entry to Canada for a Criminal Record?

When most people learn that people with a criminal record can be denied entry to Canada they might breathe a sign of relief. After all, why shouldn’t Canada keep people who could be dangerous out of the country? While it makes sense to protect our borders, not all criminal records are alike and sometimes people who are absolutely harmless get caught up in overzealous security measures and denied entry to Canada. .

You Can be Denied Entry to Canada Because of Any Criminal Record

A criminal record does not always mean someone has committed a major crime. A crime that is very small or occurred decades ago can still have an impact on you now. For example, someone who was convicted for possession of a small amount of marijuana as an 18-year old in the 1970s? That can affect your ability to enter Canada. What about someone who, many years ago, was convicted of driving under the influence? While there is no excuse for driving under the influence, even if that person did not harm anyone else, turned their life around and hasn’t had a drink since, they can still be denied entry to Canada. Not all criminal records are black and white, but sometimes border security can make it appear that way. People who are denied entry to Canada because of their criminal history are deemed to be criminally inadmissible to Canada.

Overcoming Setbacks of Denied Entry to Canada

There exist several ways for people who are criminally inadmissible to Canada to overcome or remove this inadmissibility. One of these ways is for them to apply for a Temporary Resident Permit to enter Canada, and another way is for them to apply for criminal rehabilitation. However, applicants need to take care of these matters well ahead of their travels to Canada. If you have been denied entry to Canada and need assistance because you are criminally inadmissible, please contact us .