If you’re found inadmissible, you’ll be denied a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), refused entry to, or removed from Canada.

You could be found inadmissible for a number of reasons, such as:

• security reasons, including
• espionage
• subversion (attempts to overthrow a government, etc.)
• violence or terrorism
• membership in an organization involved in any of these
• human or international rights violations, including war crimes, crimes against humanity
• being a senior official in a government engaged in gross human rights violations or subject to international sanctions
• committing a crime, including driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• organized crime, including membership in an organization that takes part in organized criminal activity, people smuggling or money laundering
• medical reasons – this includes medical conditions that endanger public health, endanger public safety or cause excessive demand on health or social services (some applicants are exempt)
• financial reasons – if you’re unable or unwilling to support yourself and your family members
• misrepresentation, which includes providing false information or withholding information directly related to decisions made under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA)
• failure to comply with any provision of IRPA or
• having an inadmissible family member.

You have a few options to overcome your criminal inadmissibility.

If you drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs, including cannabis, you may be inadmissible for serious criminality. This means you won’t be able to enter or stay in Canada unless we issue you a temporary resident permit.

If you drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs, including cannabis, you may be inadmissible for serious criminality. This means:

• you won’t be able to enter or stay in Canada unless you are issued a Temporary Resident Permit
• you’ll have to pay the CAD $200.00 processing fee for the permit and there’s no guarantee you’ll be allowed to enter or stay in the country

If you’re otherwise inadmissible but have a reason to travel to Canada that is justified in the circumstances, you may be issued a temporary resident permit.

To be eligible for a temporary resident permit, your need to enter or stay in Canada must outweigh the health or safety risks to Canadian society, as determined by an immigration or a border services officer. Even if the reason you’re inadmissible seems minor, you must demonstrate that your visit is justified.

There is no guarantee that you’ll be issued a temporary resident permit.

If you require an eTA

If you’re a citizen of an eTA-required country, your application for an eTA was refused, you may be issued a temporary resident permit. This depends on the nature and circumstances of the inadmissibility and why you need to travel to Canada.

The visa office responsible for your country or region may have its own application form for Temporary Resident Permits. You should check the visa office to find out exactly how to apply.

If you require a Visitor Visa (TRV)

You must apply for a Visitor Visa and include supporting documents to explain why you’re inadmissible and why it may be justified for you to enter Canada.

You may have to attend an interview so that an officer can assess your application.

A temporary resident permit is usually issued for the length of your visit to Canada - for example, 1 week to attend a conference. You must leave Canada by the expiry date of the permit, or get a new permit before your current one expires.

This permit may be canceled by an officer at any time.

The permit is no longer valid once you leave Canada, unless you have specifically been authorized to leave and re-enter.

Pay your fees online.

You must pay a fee (CAD $200.00) to cover the cost of processing your application for a temporary resident permit. The fee will not be refunded if the permit is refused.

Depending on the crime, how long ago it was, and how you have behaved since, you may still be allowed to come to Canada, if you:

• convince an immigration officer that you meet the legal terms to be deemed rehabilitated, or
• applied for rehabilitation and were approved, or
• were granted a record suspension or
• have a temporary resident permit