Last Updated on: March 25, 2026
If you have a felony or even some misdemeanors on your record, Canada can deny you entry. But this is not always automatic. What matters most is how Canada classifies the offense under Canadian law, how serious it is, how many offenses you have, and how long it has been since you finished every part of your sentence. Canada calls this issue criminal inadmissibility.
Quick Answer
Yes, some felons can go to Canada, but many cannot enter unless they first fix the inadmissibility problem. In general, a person may still be allowed in if they are deemed rehabilitated, are approved for individual rehabilitation, receive a temporary resident permit, or have a valid record suspension or pardon that Canada accepts.
Why Canada Can Deny Entry to Felons
Canada does not simply look at whether your state called the offense a felony or a misdemeanor. Canadian officials compare your offense to Canadian law. They look at the nature of the offense, how long ago it happened, and what sentence was imposed. That means even a misdemeanor in the United States can still create a problem at the border.
Canada says a person may be criminally inadmissible if they have committed or been convicted of a crime. This includes offenses like theft, assault, manslaughter, dangerous driving, impaired driving, and drug offenses.
What Canada Actually Looks At
When Canada reviews a traveler with a criminal record, these are the big questions:
- What is the Canadian equivalent of the offense?
- Would that offense be treated as criminality or serious criminality in Canada?
- How many offenses are on the record?
- How long has it been since the full sentence ended?
- Has the person shown real rehabilitation since then?
When Does the Clock Start?
This is where many people get confused. The clock does not start on the arrest date or conviction date. It starts after you finish every part of the sentence. That can include jail, probation, parole, fines, and other conditions the court imposed.
So if your case is old, but you finished probation or paid off fines later, Canada may still count the later date.
The Four Main Ways You Can Get Into Canada
1. Temporary Resident Permit
A Canadian Temporary Resident Permit, usually called a TRP, is short term permission to enter Canada even though you are inadmissible. Canada says this may be granted when your reason for travel is justified and you do not pose too much risk. Family emergencies and business conferences are examples Canada gives as possibly justified reasons. Simple vacation trips normally are not considered justified.
A TRP is not a permanent fix. It can be cancelled, and it does not erase the inadmissibility issue. The current IRCC fee list shows C$246.25 for a TRP, even though one older IRCC Help Centre page still shows C$200, so this page should tell readers to verify the current fee before applying.
2. Deemed Rehabilitation
Some people do not need formal approval if enough time has passed and the offense fits the rules. Canada says deemed rehabilitation may apply depending on the crime, how serious it was, whether there was more than one crime, and whether the Canadian version of the offense would carry a maximum prison term of less than 10 years.
Canada’s current guidance says this can include:
- 10 years after completing the sentence for one indictable offense, or
- 5 years after completing the sentence for two or more summary convictions.
You do not submit a separate application just to be deemed rehabilitated, but Canada strongly advises people to make sure they actually qualify before showing up at the border. People in the United States may ask to be assessed at a Canadian port of entry and should bring all documents related to their criminal history.
3. Individual Rehabilitation
If at least 5 years have passed since you finished your full sentence, you may be able to apply for individual rehabilitation. Canada says this is the formal process for asking the government to decide that you are rehabilitated and unlikely to commit new crimes.
This is usually the better path for people who are not yet clearly eligible for deemed rehabilitation or who want a decision in advance instead of risking a border denial.
The current fee list shows:
- C$246.25 for inadmissibility on the grounds of criminality
- C$1,231.00 for inadmissibility on the grounds of serious criminality
4. Record Suspension or Pardon
If the conviction was in Canada, a Canadian record suspension can remove inadmissibility for that conviction. If the pardon or expungement came from another country, Canada says the person should check with the appropriate IRCC office because foreign pardons and expungements are not automatically treated the same way.
That means a sealed or expunged case from the United States does not automatically mean Canada will ignore it.
What About a DUI?
DUI is one of the biggest problem areas for travel to Canada. Canada specifically includes driving under the influence among crimes that can make a person criminally inadmissible. Canada also says most impaired driving crimes are treated as serious criminality for fee waiver purposes.
This is why a person with a DUI should never assume they are fine just because the case was a misdemeanor in the United States.
What If You Were Found Not Guilty?
If you were charged but found not guilty, Canada says you are not criminally inadmissible for that offense and can likely enter and stay in Canada, as long as no other inadmissibility issue applies.
What If the Case Is Still Pending?
If your trial is still underway, Canada says you are criminally inadmissible at that time and likely cannot enter Canada.
Can You Just Show Up at the Border and Try?
You can, but it is risky. Canada says admissibility is assessed by an immigration or border services officer, and a person who assumes they qualify can still be refused at the border. Canada specifically says it is in your best interest to be assessed in advance when possible so you do not travel there only to be refused entry.
For readers, the practical lesson is simple: do not assume. Border decisions are case specific.
What Documents Should You Bring?
Anyone trying to enter Canada with a past conviction should be ready with as much documentation as possible. A practical checklist would include:
- Court records
- Charging documents
- Proof of conviction details
- Proof that all jail time was completed
- Proof probation and parole ended
- Proof all fines and costs were paid
- Proof of rehabilitation, such as work history, character letters, treatment completion, or community support
- Any approval letters for rehabilitation or a TRP
Bottom Line
Canada is strict about criminal records. A felony can keep you out, and so can some misdemeanors. But the answer is not always a flat no. Some people can still enter through deemed rehabilitation, individual rehabilitation, a TRP, or a valid record suspension or pardon that Canada recognizes. The biggest factors are the Canadian equivalent of the offense, the seriousness of that offense, the number of offenses, and how long it has been since the entire sentence ended.
FAQ
Maybe. One old felony does not automatically mean yes or no. Canada looks at the Canadian equivalent offense, how serious it is, and how long it has been since the full sentence ended. Some people with one old conviction may qualify for deemed rehabilitation or individual rehabilitation.
Maybe. Canada says a United States misdemeanor is not automatically safe. Officials compare it to Canadian law and make a decision based on the nature of the offense, the sentence, and how long ago it happened.
No. Canada says foreign pardons and discharges need separate review, and people should check with the IRCC office responsible for their area.
Other Helpful Resources
- Felony Expungement Information
- Jobs For Felons
- Public Housing For Felons
- Reentry Programs by State
- Financial Help For Felons
Disclaimer
Travel and immigration decisions are case specific and can change over time. This page is based on publicly available government guidance and is not legal advice. Entry decisions are made by Canadian immigration and border officials. If you have a serious record, multiple convictions, or an urgent need to travel, it is smart to review the official Canada guidance and get qualified legal help before making plans