What is criminal inadmissibility to Canada?
Foreign nationals and some permanent residents can be barred from entering or remaining in Canada due to criminal convictions. IRCC assesses equivalency to Canadian offences, sentence severity, and time elapsed. Pathways include deemed rehabilitation, individual rehabilitation, and Temporary Resident Permits (TRP).
Deemed rehabilitation
May apply automatically when enough time has passed since sentence completion for less serious offences - no application required in qualifying cases. Border officers may still request proof.
Individual rehabilitation
Formal IRCC application when deemed rehabilitation does not apply or when proof is required. Requires police certificates from countries lived in, court records, and personal statement. Processing often 12+ months.
Service: Criminal Rehabilitation.
Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)
Short-term entry when inadmissible but travel is compelling and temporary - family emergencies, one-time business events. Not a substitute for permanent rehabilitation.
Service: TRP support.
Rehabilitation vs Canadian record suspension
Record suspension (PBC) addresses Canadian criminal records for CPIC purposes. Criminal rehabilitation (IRCC) addresses immigration inadmissibility. They are different processes for different problems - some people need one, both, or neither depending on status and goals.