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Criminal Inadmissibility

Whether you are planning to visit, work, study or immigrate, if you have committed or been convicted of a criminal offence, including driving while impaired, you may be prohibited from entering Canada.

However, you may be permitted to come to Canada if

• you have applied for rehabilitation and your application has been approved; or
• you are able to satisfy an immigration officer that you meet the legal requirement to be deemed rehabilitated; or
• you have obtained a temporary resident permit; or
• you have obtained a pardon from the National Parole Board of Canada if the criminal offence was committed in Canada; or
• you have obtained a foreign pardon recognized in Canada.

Find out how you may be able to overcome a past conviction.