Can You Travel to Canada With a Criminal Record? Rules, Options and Official Sources

What criminal inadmissibility means

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), you may not be allowed into Canada if you have committed or been convicted of a crime. This can include minor and serious offences, and an officer decides at the port of entry whether you can enter.

DUI and impaired driving

IRCC states that tougher penalties for impaired driving came into effect on December 18, 2018, and that an impaired driving conviction may make you inadmissible for serious criminality, whether the offence happened in Canada or abroad (IRCC: impaired driving). Offences committed before that date are assessed under the penalties that applied at the time.

Your options

1. Deemed rehabilitation

For some older, less serious offences, you may be deemed rehabilitated automatically. IRCC’s deemed rehabilitation page says this can apply only if, among other conditions:

• you have only one conviction or committed only one crime;
• at least 10 years have passed since you completed all sentences;
• the crime isn’t considered serious in Canada; and
• it didn’t involve serious property damage, physical harm to anyone, or a weapon.

You don’t have to apply, but you need to be sure you qualify. IRCC also describes different time periods for some combinations of summary offences, so check the official page carefully.

2. Criminal rehabilitation

If at least five years have passed since you completed your sentence (including probation), you can apply for criminal rehabilitation and show you are unlikely to reoffend. Key points from IRCC:

• The main form is the Application for Criminal Rehabilitation (IMM 1444).
• Processing can take over a year, so apply well before you plan to travel.
• A government processing fee applies, which is higher for serious criminality. See the IRCC fee list for current amounts.
• If you need an eTA, IRCC says to send the rehabilitation application before applying for the eTA.

3. Temporary resident permit (TRP)

A temporary resident permit can let you enter for a limited time if you have a justified reason to travel and aren’t yet eligible for rehabilitation, or your application is still pending. IRCC notes that pleasure trips normally don’t qualify, and that a TRP can be cancelled at any time. A fee applies; check the IRCC fee list.

Convictions in Canada

For convictions in Canada, IRCC says you need a record suspension from the Parole Board of Canada, not criminal rehabilitation.

Foreign pardons and expungements

IRCC says a Canadian record suspension means you’re no longer inadmissible. For a pardon, record suspension or discharge from another country, IRCC advises contacting the visa office serving your country to ask whether it’s recognized. Don’t assume a US expungement or a foreign pardon clears you automatically.

What to do before you travel

• Gather your records: court documents showing the offence, sentence and completion dates.
• Check the official pages linked above to see which option may apply.
• Apply early if you need criminal rehabilitation or a TRP.
• Get professional advice for anything complex, such as multiple convictions or serious offences.
• Be honest at the border. Misrepresentation can create bigger problems.

Official sources

• IRCC: Overcome criminal convictions
• IRCC: Impaired driving
• IRCC: Temporary resident permits
• IRCC: Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Planning the rest of your trip? See our travel tips for visiting Canada and the international travel checklist.

Last checked against IRCC pages in November 2026.