Canada has strict entry laws for any foreign national looking to come to Canada. Each individual must pass admissibility requirements before they are allowed to enter the country. Many people are surprised to learn that a prior criminal record can result in a Canadian Immigration Officer refusing their entry, or application, on the basis of criminal inadmissibility.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) place massive importance on securing the country’s borders from those who may pose a risk. Because of this, they can deny entry to a foreign national who they believe is likely to commit a crime during their visit to Canada. IRCC and CBSA does not discriminate based on fame or wealth. Criminal inadmissibility laws apply to everyone, including famous artists, musicians, and actors.
There are a few options that will allow you to overcome a criminal record and ultimately be allowed entry to Canada. If you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you can pre-emptively avoid being found inadmissible to Canada by submitting a legal opinion letter to the judicial authority hearing your case. This letter is a document drafted by a Canadian immigration lawyer and refers to relevant sections of Canadian law.
If your situation does not allow for pre-emptive action, you can apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or for criminal rehabilitation. A TRP grants access to Canada for up to three years, depending on the reason of entry. A criminal rehabilitation application permanently clears past criminal history from your record for the purposes of entering the country. Once you receive approval for criminal rehabilitation, you are no longer considered inadmissible to Canada.
If you want to immigrate to Canada or you are planning a visit, you are welcome to contact Daniel Levy, Senior Attorney at Cohen Immigration Law. They have worked at Cohen Immigration for over 10 years and specializes in areas including criminal inadmissibility. They also have experience working with celebrities such as actors and musicians in the United States and abroad. They travel regularly between the US and Canada to service Cohen Immigration Law clients.
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