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Can I come to Canada with a criminal record?

A past crime or conviction may make you inadmissible to Canada, even a minor one or a driving offence. Depending on the crime, how long ago it was and how you have behaved since, IRCC describes ways you may still be allowed to come. A few questions find IRCC's own words for your case. Nothing here predicts a decision: an officer decides, and a lawyer or licensed consultant can advise on yours.

Answer for your situation

Every quote below was checked word for word on IRCC’s own pages on October 24, 2026. Each answer names its source page and that page’s date.

What IRCC says, situation by situation

Yes, if IRCC finds you can still enter.

You may still be able to enter Canada; it depends on how the conviction was treated

In IRCC’s words:
“If you were convicted of a crime when you were under the age of 18, you may still be able to enter Canada.”

IRCC guide: convictions as a young offender

Source: IRCC, page dated July 23, 2026
Yes, if you get a Canadian record suspension (pardon).

For a conviction in Canada, a record suspension (pardon) is the route

In IRCC’s words:
“If you have been convicted in Canada and want to apply for a record suspension (formerly known as a pardon) , check with the Parole Board of Canada . If you get a Canadian record suspension, you will no longer be inadmissible.”

Parole Board of Canada: record suspensions

Source: IRCC, page dated July 23, 2026
No, unless you get both a record suspension and rehabilitation.

Convictions in and outside Canada need both a record suspension and rehabilitation

In IRCC’s words:
“If you have convictions in Canada and convictions or offences outside of Canada, both an approval of rehabilitation and a pardon are required to overcome your inadmissibility.”
“Your request for rehabilitation cannot be made until you have first obtained a record suspension, except if you have only one (1) summary conviction in Canada.”

Parole Board of Canada: record suspensions

Source: IRCC, page dated October 16, 2025
Not yet: you may need rehabilitation after 5 years, or a TRP.

Impaired driving may be serious criminality; rehabilitation after 5 years, or a TRP to come sooner

In IRCC’s words:
“If you’ve been convicted of driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, including cannabis, you may be inadmissible to Canada for serious criminality , whether the crime happened in Canada or outside Canada.”
“You can apply for rehabilitation if at least 5 years must have passed since either”
“the end of your criminal sentence (this includes probation), or”
“the day you committed the act that made you inadmissible”
“You can apply for a temporary resident permit (TRP) to enter Canada temporarily.”
“There is no guarantee that you’ll be issued a TRP or be authorized to enter Canada.”

IRCC: who can apply for a temporary resident permit

Source: IRCC, page dated July 23, 2026
Yes, if the penalties in force then don't make you inadmissible.

For impaired driving before December 18, 2018, the penalties then in force decide it

In IRCC’s words:
“Tougher penalties for impaired driving came into effect on December 18, 2018. If you committed an impaired driving offence before this date, we’ll determine if you’re inadmissible based on the penalties in force at the time.”
“You may be found to be inadmissible for criminality, and not serious criminality, unless you received a prison sentence in Canada longer than 6 months. If this is the case, you may be eligible for deemed rehabilitation if at least 10 years has passed since you completed your sentence.”
“You can apply for rehabilitation if at least 5 years must have passed since either”
“the end of your criminal sentence (this includes probation), or”
“the day you committed the act that made you inadmissible”
“There is no guarantee that you’ll be issued a TRP or be authorized to enter Canada.”
Source: IRCC, page dated July 23, 2026
Yes, if deemed rehabilitated at the border; it's not guaranteed.

You may be deemed rehabilitated, if IRCC's conditions are met; it is not guaranteed

In IRCC’s words:
“You are eligible to apply for deemed rehabilitation at a port of entry if:”
“you only had one conviction in total or committed only one crime”
“at least ten years have passed since you completed all sentences (payment of all fees, jail time completed, restitution paid, etc. )”
“the crime you committed is not considered a serious crime in Canada and”
“the crime did not involve any serious property damage, physical harm to any person, or any type of weapon.”
“A request for deemed rehabilitation is not guaranteed to be approved.”
“If you are not deemed rehabilitated, you will have to apply for individual rehabilitation at a visa office. If you are not sure you will be deemed rehabilitated at the point of entry, or if you need a visa to enter Canada, you should apply for individual rehabilitation.”
“If you are not sure if you can be deemed rehabilitated or want to know if you are criminally inadmissible before you travel to Canada, you should apply as described. You must apply well in advance of your trip as routine applications can take six months or more to process.”

IRCC: deemed rehabilitation, and being assessed before you travel

Source: IRCC, page dated July 23, 2026
Yes, if deemed rehabilitated, 5 years after all sentences.

For two or more summary offences, deemed rehabilitation may apply after 5 years

In IRCC’s words:
“If the offence is one that would, in Canada, be prosecuted summarily, and if you were convicted for two (2) or more such offences, the period for rehabilitation is at least five (5) years after the sentences imposed were served or are to be served.”
“To be deemed rehabilitated, the person must not have committed or been convicted of any other indictable offence.”

IRCC: deemed rehabilitation, and being assessed before you travel

Source: IRCC, page dated October 16, 2025
No, unless you're granted individual rehabilitation.

You may apply for individual rehabilitation; the Minister or a delegate decides

In IRCC’s words:
“You can apply for individual rehabilitation to enter Canada. The Minister, or their delegate, may decide to grant it or not. To apply, you must:”
“show that you meet the criteria ,”
“have been rehabilitated and”
“be highly unlikely to take part in further crimes.”
“Also, at least five years must have passed since:”
“the end of your criminal sentence (this includes probation) and”
“the day you committed the act that made you inadmissible.”
“If you are a foreign national who needs an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), you have to submit a separate application for criminal rehabilitation before you apply for your eTA.”
“Note: These applications can take over a year to process. Make sure you plan far enough in advance of your travel to Canada.”

IRCC: the application for rehabilitation

Source: IRCC, page dated July 23, 2026
No, unless you're granted individual rehabilitation.

Not deemed rehabilitation for a crime this serious; you may apply for individual rehabilitation

In IRCC’s words:
“If you were convicted of an offence or you committed an offence outside Canada that, if committed in Canada, would be punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years or more:”
“You are deemed rehabilitated: not applicable.”
“You are eligible to apply for rehabilitation: five (5) years from completion of the sentence or commission of the offence.”
“Applications for rehabilitation can take over a year to process. You will be advised in writing of the decision made on your application.”

IRCC: the application for rehabilitation

Source: IRCC, page dated October 16, 2025
No

Not rehabilitation yet: less than 5 years since your sentence ended

In IRCC’s words:
“You can apply for rehabilitation if at least five years have passed since you finished your criminal sentence.”
“If less than five years has passed, you can fill out the form and check “For Information Only.” An officer will decide if you can get special permission to come to Canada temporarily.”

IRCC: who can apply for a temporary resident permit

Source: IRCC, page dated July 16, 2024
Not yet: get assessed before you travel.

It depends on how serious the crime would be in Canada: IRCC suggests an assessment before you travel

In IRCC’s words:
“If you are not sure if you can be deemed rehabilitated or want to know if you are criminally inadmissible before you travel to Canada, you should apply as described. You must apply well in advance of your trip as routine applications can take six months or more to process.”
“It is in your best interest to be assessed by the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for your area. This will help ensure you do not travel to Canada only to be refused entry or be subject to other enforcement action.”

IRCC: check if a representative is authorized

Source: IRCC, page dated July 23, 2026
Yes, if an officer issues a temporary resident permit.

A temporary resident permit may be possible, for a valid reason; an officer decides

In IRCC’s words:
“If you have a valid reason to travel to Canada, but you are inadmissible, we may issue you a temporary resident permit. An immigration or border services officer will decide if your need to enter or stay in Canada outweighs the health or safety risks to Canadian society.”
“A temporary resident permit lets you enter or stay in Canada if:”
“it has been less than five years since the end of your sentence or”
“you have valid reasons to be in Canada.”
“Even if the reason you are inadmissible seems minor, you must show that your visit is valid.”

IRCC Help Centre: if I don't qualify for rehabilitation

Source: IRCC, page dated July 23, 2026
No

No: the rehabilitation processing fee is not refunded if the application is refused

In IRCC’s words:
“Processing fees are not refundable regardless of the final decision on your application. If your application is refused and you decide you want to apply again, a new processing fee will be required.”
“Applications for rehabilitation can take over a year to process. You will be advised in writing of the decision made on your application.”

IRCC Help Centre: the fee if rehabilitation is refused

Source: IRCC, page dated October 16, 2025
Yes

Yes: authorized representatives can advise you and represent you

In IRCC’s words:
“explain and give advice on your immigration or citizenship options”
“represent you in an immigration or citizenship application or hearing”
“lawyers and paralegals who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society”
“citizenship or immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants”
“It’s your choice. Using one will not draw special attention to your application and doesn’t mean we’ll approve it.”

IRCC: check if a representative is authorized

Source: IRCC, page dated August 18, 2026

What would change the answer

What you might not have asked yet

Sources

Answer for your situation

Other answers

Written by AHI Life from IRCC’s own pages; the quotes are IRCC’s words, re-read on their pages every day. General information, not legal advice, and not yet reviewed by a licensed consultant (RCIC). Only a licensed representative may charge you for immigration advice.