A past conviction—even one that seems minor—can make you criminally inadmissible to Canada. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), s.36, officers may refuse entry or applications where the foreign offence is equivalent to a Canadian criminal offence. This can affect air travel, business trips, tourism, family visits, and immigration applications (study/work/PR).
Good news: there are legal pathways to address inadmissibility and Criminal Rehabilitation for a long-term solution.
Criminal Rehabilitation
A permanent solution available typically 5+ years after completing all sentences. Demonstrates you are rehabilitated with supporting evidence.
Not sure whether this applies?
We assess your offense history, timelines, and documentation to recommend the most viable strategy.
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Who Is Typically Affected?
Impaired driving (DUI/DWI) and related offences
Drug possession or other controlled substance offences
Theft, fraud, property offences
Assault (including minor or summary-level equivalents)
Other convictions that have a Canadian Criminal Code equivalent
Important: Officers assess equivalency to Canadian law and your entire history, not just the title of the foreign offence.
How We Help (Structured, Evidence-Driven Process)
Assessment & Eligibility
Review of convictions, dates, sentence completion, and Canadian equivalency under IRPA s.36.
Confirm TRP vs. Criminal Rehabilitation pathways (or both).
Evidence Strategy
Police certificates, court records, proof of sentence completion.
Rehabilitation evidence (treatment, counselling, community work, employment stability).
Purpose of travel and clear, compelling justification for officer discretion (for TRPs).
Drafting & Submission
Organized, persuasive submissions that speak to officer decision factors.
Filing at the appropriate venue (consulate vs. POE) and follow-up on processing.
Ongoing Representation
Respond to document requests, guide interview prep (if applicable), and plan next entries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In some cases, yes. Border officers have discretion to issue TRPs. Strong documentation and justification are essential.
Timelines vary; it is generally longer than a TRP but offers a lasting resolution. We evaluate both short- and long-term options.
We review refusal notes, correct deficiencies, and position the case with stronger evidence or the appropriate remedy.