Criminal Rehabilitation (CR) is the permanent solution to criminal inadmissibility to Canada. Once approved under IRPA s.36(3)(c), you are no longer inadmissible due to your past criminal record — for life. You will not need to renew it, and you will not need a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) for future visits to Canada. This guide walks through the complete application process from eligibility assessment to receiving your approval letter.
Step 1 — Determine Eligibility
Before gathering any documents, confirm that you are eligible to apply. Criminal Rehabilitation requires:
- ✓ At least 5 years have passed since you completed ALL conditions of your sentence — including fines paid, probation ended, licence reinstated, and any other court-ordered conditions
- ✓ You are admissible to Canada in all other respects (medical, financial, misrepresentation)
- ✓ You have not been convicted of any subsequent offences (or have addressed them appropriately)
The 5-year clock starts from when ALL sentence conditions are complete — not from the conviction date or the date you finished jail. If you had a $500 fine that you paid 2 years after conviction, your 5-year clock starts from the fine payment date.
Use the Admissibility Screener to verify your eligibility and understand your inadmissibility tier before applying.
Step 2 — Determine Serious vs Non-Serious Criminality
The government fee and application form depend on whether your offence constitutes serious criminalityor non-serious criminality under IRPA:
| Category | IRPA Reference | Canadian Equivalent Max Penalty | CR Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-serious criminality | s.36(2) | Under 10 years (e.g., theft under $5,000) | $200 CAD |
| Serious criminality | s.36(1) | 10 years or more (e.g., DUI post-2018, felony assault, drug trafficking) | $1,000 CAD |
The inadmissibility tier is determined by the maximum Canadian penalty for the equivalent Canadian offence — not by the sentence you actually received. A US DUI (post-December 2018) maps to Criminal Code s.320.14, which carries a 10-year maximum — making it serious criminality regardless of whether you paid a $500 fine.
Step 3 — Gather Your Documents
A strong CR application includes comprehensive documentation. Gather the following:
Identity Documents
- • Valid passport (all pages)
- • Additional ID (driver's licence, national ID)
Criminal Record Documents
- • Court documents showing the offence, conviction date, and sentence imposed
- • Official criminal record (FBI rap sheet or state criminal history for US applicants)
- • Police certificates from every country where you have lived for 6+ months in the past 10 years
- • Proof of sentence completion (fine receipts, probation discharge letter, licence reinstatement confirmation)
Evidence of Rehabilitation
- • Employment records (showing stable employment since conviction)
- • Character references from employers, community leaders, or others who know you
- • Evidence of treatment completed (if offence was drug or alcohol related — AA/NA records, counselling completion)
- • Community involvement records, volunteer work, education completed
- • US pardon or expungement (if applicable) — included as supporting evidence of rehabilitation, not as a legal fix
Personal Statement
- • A written statement explaining the circumstances of the offence, accepting responsibility, describing what has changed in your life, and explaining why you will not reoffend
- • This is one of the most important components — a thoughtful, honest statement carries significant weight
Step 4 — Complete the Application Forms
The primary IRCC form for Criminal Rehabilitation is:
- ✓ IMM 1444 — Application for Criminal Rehabilitation (available at the IRCC website)
- ✓ Schedule 1 — Background Declaration (if required by the visa office)
Tips for completing IMM 1444:
- • List every offence, even if it was expunged, pardoned, or you believe it is too old to matter
- • Be precise with dates — use the conviction date and the sentence completion date
- • Use the exact name of the foreign offence as it appears on your court records
- • Misrepresentation on the form creates a 5-year separate inadmissibility under IRPA s.40 — complete honesty is essential
Step 5 — Pay the Government Fee
- • Non-serious criminality: $200 CAD (IRPA s.36(2) equivalent offences)
- • Serious criminality: $1,000 CAD (IRPA s.36(1) equivalent offences)
Fees are paid online through the IRCC secure payment portal when submitting your application. Fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome. Use the Fee Calculator to confirm your fee category.
Step 6 — Submit Your Application
Criminal Rehabilitation applications are submitted to the Canadian visa office responsible for your country of residence. This is usually the Canadian Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate in your home country.
Option A: Canadian Visa Office (Recommended)
Submitting to a visa office abroad allows for thorough review, longer processing, and a formal written decision. This is the standard route and produces a written approval letter that you can carry to future border crossings.
Option B: At a Port of Entry (Limited)
In limited circumstances, you may apply for Criminal Rehabilitation directly at a Canadian port of entry. This is only possible if the CBSA officer agrees to process it and is generally reserved for straightforward cases. There is no guarantee a port of entry will process a CR application — this is entirely at the officer's discretion. The pre-approval visa office route is far more reliable.
Do not rely on applying for CR at the border. If the officer declines to process your CR application, you will be turned away as inadmissible. Submit through a visa office well in advance of any planned travel.
Step 7 — Biometrics
Most Criminal Rehabilitation applicants will be required to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo). Biometrics are collected at designated collection service points — usually a visa application centre (VAC) in your country.
- • Biometrics fee: $85 CAD
- • You will receive a biometric instruction letter from IRCC after submitting your application
- • Provide biometrics promptly — delays in biometrics extend overall processing time
Processing Times
Criminal Rehabilitation applications are processed at the visa office level and are not subject to IRCC's standard processing time tool in the same way as other applications. Typical timelines:
| Case Complexity | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Simple (single non-serious offence, long time elapsed) | 6–12 months |
| Standard (serious criminality, clear rehabilitation) | 12–18 months |
| Complex (multiple offences, recent conviction, special circumstances) | 18–24+ months |
Processing times are estimates only. Do not plan travel to Canada based on an expected CR approval date — use a TRP for any travel needed during the processing period.
What Happens After Approval?
If your Criminal Rehabilitation application is approved:
- ✓ You receive a formal approval letter from IRCC or the visa office
- ✓ The approval is permanent — it does not expire
- ✓ You no longer need a TRP for future visits to Canada
- ✓ Keep your approval letter — carry it when crossing into Canada, as CBSA may not have the approval immediately visible in their system
- ✓ The approval covers your criminal history as disclosed in the application. A new conviction after approval creates new inadmissibility and is not covered by the CR
Tips for a Strong Application
- ✓ Wait the full 5 years. Applying early (before 5 years from sentence completion) will result in an ineligibility finding — wait until you meet the threshold.
- ✓ Disclose everything. A hidden conviction discovered later triggers separate inadmissibility for misrepresentation — worse than the original offence.
- ✓ Write a compelling personal statement. This is your opportunity to explain the context, demonstrate accountability, and show what has changed. Generic statements are less persuasive.
- ✓ Include strong rehabilitation evidence. Employment stability, family responsibilities, community involvement, and treatment completion all demonstrate low risk of reoffending.
- ✓ Get certified translations. All non-English/French documents must be accompanied by certified translations.
- ✓ Consider professional representation for complex cases. Multiple offences, serious criminality, or recently expired sentences benefit from experienced immigration counsel.
- ✓ Use a TRP for travel during CR processing. A pending CR application does not permit entry to Canada — you still need a TRP for any travel while your CR is in processing.
Not sure if CR is right for you?
Compare TRP and Criminal Rehabilitation to determine which pathway fits your situation and timeline.
TRP vs Criminal RehabilitationFrequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for Criminal Rehabilitation if I am currently on probation?+
No. You are not eligible for Criminal Rehabilitation until ALL sentence conditions are fully completed — including probation. Being on probation means your sentence is still active. The 5-year waiting period begins only after probation ends.
Do I need a lawyer to apply for Criminal Rehabilitation?+
You are not required to use a lawyer or licensed immigration consultant. However, for complex cases — multiple offences, serious criminality, recent sentences, or unusual circumstances — professional representation significantly improves application quality. For simple cases (single non-serious offence, long time elapsed), self-preparation is feasible.
What if my Criminal Rehabilitation application is refused?+
If refused, you will receive a written decision explaining the reasons. You can reapply — typically with additional evidence or after more time has passed. There is no mandatory waiting period before reapplying, but the same fee applies. You may also continue to enter Canada using a TRP while you prepare a stronger application.
I have two DUIs from 2018 and 2020. When can I apply for CR?+
Your 5-year clock starts from the completion of ALL sentence conditions for your most recent (2020) conviction — including fines, probation, and licence reinstatement. If your 2020 sentence was fully completed in late 2022, you would be eligible to apply starting in late 2027. Both DUIs will be assessed together in your CR application.
Does CR cover all past offences or just the one I apply about?+
Your CR application must disclose ALL past offences — not just the one(s) that caused inadmissibility. A successful CR approval covers all offences disclosed in the application. Undisclosed offences are not covered and may surface later to create new problems.
Can I visit Canada while my CR application is pending?+
A pending CR application does not authorize entry to Canada. You remain inadmissible during the processing period. Apply for a TRP separately if you need to enter Canada while your CR is pending.
🛠 Useful tools
Screen your admissibility, build your document checklist, and estimate fees.
Your Next Step
Start with the Admissibility Screener to confirm CR eligibility, then build your document checklist.
Check my eligibility — freeImportant: This tool provides general information based on publicly available Canadian immigration law (IRPA). Results are not a determination of admissibility. Only a CBSA officer at a port of entry can make admissibility decisions. For complex legal situations, professional guidance may also be beneficial.