Entering Canada with Criminal Record
Are you attempting to travel to Canada? Are you deemed inadmissible into Canada due to a previous offence on record? Has 5 – 10 years passed since your final offence was committed? If you have answered yes to the aforementioned questions, then this is the article for you, as you may be eligible to apply for Canada’s criminal rehabilitation application. If you are considered inadmissible, travelling to Canada could be an extremely difficult process as it can allow you to be seen as a potential threat to the harmonious society Canada attempts to maintain. So that is why acquiring proper authorization is of utmost importance. Do not be overwhelmed, though. There are possible ways one can overcome the inadmissibility prior to enter Canada. Continue reading this blog for further information on how to apply for your criminal rehabilitation application or to see if you even qualify.
Who can apply for Criminal Rehabilitation
Applicants who can apply under the Criminal Rehabilitation program are usually those whom have committed their last offence less than 10 years prior to applying. After 10 years with only a single minor offence committed, an applicant can be presented as deemed rehabilitated. Deemed rehabilitation means that enough time has passed since your criminal act that you’re no longer pose a threat to Canadian society. Of course, the process at which one is deemed rehabilitated depends on the severity, type of crime committed, and how many offences the applicant has on record. Many times applicants have offences that are over 30 years old and they still get denied entry into Canada. If you do not wish to risk the chance of getting denied entry, it is highly recommended that you take care of your offense on record. Any offence committed less than 10 years will require an applicant to pursue a criminal rehabilitation application
To be eligible for Criminal Rehabilitation the applicant must show the following:
- 5 years must have passed since the completion of the sentence
- Not a threat to canadian citizen
- The need of entry outweighs the risk
- Can demonstrate remorse and regret
- Show that they are not likely to re-offend
It is important to know that the person must have completed their sentencing (fine, jail term, community service etc.) and is eligible to apply for rehabilitation 5 years after the day the sentencing is finished. They must also prove that they are unlikely to cause a re-offend in the future so as not to cause a security risk for Canada.
Should the applicant have multiple offences on record and the offences are considered the applicant may potentially have to wait 10 year to be eligible to apply. Keep in mind the eligibility is based the severity of the offense on record, how many offences the person has on record, and the purpose of travel.
Criminal Rehabilitation Application Process
In order to know if you’re eligible to qualify for a criminal rehabilitation application, it all depends on close analysis of the Canadian Criminal Code alongside other federal statutes and the laws of the country in which the offence took place. That is why it is important for the applicant to gather the necessary information before submitting in an application. One can do so by contacting an immigration expert from our team and requesting a consultation.
Restrictions on Criminal Rehabilitation
As every application has requirements, there are some conditions you must meet in order to be considered eligible. Not all prior offences on record equate to you being denied entry into Canada. There may be a possibility based upon your reason of entry and the past conviction that the border officer may let you enter. You are eligible to apply under this application if the offence was committed outside of Canada in under 10 years, but is still deemed as an offence inside of Canada. If it has been 5 years after the completion of your sentence being imposed, 5 years after commission of the offence, and 5 years from the completion of the sentence or commission of the offence then you’d still be eligible to apply for the Criminal Rehabilitation application.
Contact Akrami and Associates
If you are considering applying for a criminal rehabilitation application due to the fact that you have been denied entry into Canada, it is of utmost importance that the correct process is obtained and followed by applicants when requesting entry on to Canadian soil. If this process is not done correctly, applicants can expect to face denial of entry despite being so close to entering Canada. Although this is an unfortunate circumstance, Canadian border officers reserve all right to refuse entry. In order to prevent this circumstance from occurring, it is highly advised that applicants considering to acquire a letter of proof claiming their rehabilitated status, to seek out professional and experienced help before attempting entry to Canada. Here at Akrami and Associates we obtain all of the fundamental steps deemed necessary to help you get started in the right process, by providing you with the information you need to ensure a quality application being submitted on your behalf. If you believe you are eligible under the criminal rehabilitation application and want to get started in the right direction, please feel free to contact us at Akrami and Associates at our office at 416-477-2545 requesting a consultation with immigration professional for more advice.
With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way!