If a criminal record makes you inadmissible to Canada under IRPA s.36, you have two main pathways to overcome that inadmissibility: a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) under IRPA s.24(1), and Criminal Rehabilitation under IRPA s.36(3)(c). These are not competing alternatives — they serve different purposes and you can apply for both simultaneously. Understanding the difference is essential: a TRP is immediate but temporary; Criminal Rehabilitation is slower but permanent. This guide compares both side by side so you can make the right decision for your situation.
The Core Difference in One Sentence
TRP (IRPA s.24(1))
A temporary permission to enter Canada for a specific purpose and period despite being inadmissible. Available immediately — no minimum wait. Expires and must be renewed. Does not resolve the underlying inadmissibility.
Criminal Rehabilitation (IRPA s.36(3)(c))
A permanent resolution of criminal inadmissibility. Once approved, you can enter Canada freely for life. Requires 5 years from sentence completion. Takes 6–18 months to process.
Full Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | TRP | Criminal Rehabilitation |
|---|---|---|
| IRPA authority | s.24(1) | s.36(3)(c) |
| Minimum wait from sentence completion | None — apply immediately | 5 years |
| Government fee | $200 CAD | $200 (non-serious) or $1,000 (serious criminality) |
| Processing time | Immediate at port of entry; weeks to months at visa office | 6–18 months (currently longer for complex cases) |
| Duration | Up to 3 years per TRP | Permanent — no renewal |
| Eligible inadmissibility types | Any IRPA inadmissibility (criminal, health, security) | Criminal inadmissibility only (s.36) |
| Serious criminality eligible? | Yes | Yes (after 5 years) |
| Multiple convictions eligible? | Yes — assessed holistically | Yes — assessed holistically |
| Decision-maker | CBSA officer (port of entry) or IRCC officer (visa office) | IRCC visa officer at designated office |
| Discretion involved? | High — officer has broad discretion | Structured — based on criteria |
| Approval guaranteed if eligible? | No — always discretionary | No — can be refused even if eligible |
| Can apply simultaneously? | ✓ Yes — apply for both at same time | ✓ Yes — apply for both at same time |
| What it proves | Compelling need to enter Canada despite inadmissibility | You have been rehabilitated and are unlikely to reoffend |
When to Apply for a TRP
A Temporary Resident Permit under IRPA s.24(1) is the right choice when:
- ✓
You need to enter Canada now or soon
TRPs can be issued at a port of entry on the same day (though success varies) or via visa office in weeks to months. There is no mandatory waiting period — even someone convicted yesterday can apply if they have a compelling reason to enter.
- ✓
You have not yet served 5 years from sentence completion
Criminal Rehabilitation requires a minimum 5-year wait from the day your entire sentence was completed. If you have not hit that threshold, a TRP is your only formal pathway (aside from deemed rehabilitation, which requires 10 years).
- ✓
Your reason to enter Canada is compelling
TRP decisions weigh the "compelling need" against the "risk to Canadian society." Business travel, family emergencies, medical treatment, attending a wedding or funeral — these are the types of reasons officers consider. Leisure travel is harder to approve for serious criminality.
- ✓
You want to apply for both TRP and CR simultaneously
This is the optimal strategy for many people: apply for TRP to enable immediate travel while your Criminal Rehabilitation application is processed. IRCC accepts both applications at the same time.
TRP limitation: A TRP does not resolve your inadmissibility. Every time you enter Canada you must present a valid TRP or re-apply. Once a TRP expires, you are inadmissible again. The TRP is a bridge — Criminal Rehabilitation is the destination.
When to Apply for Criminal Rehabilitation
Criminal Rehabilitation under IRPA s.36(3)(c) is the right choice when:
- ✓
5+ years have passed since your entire sentence was completed
This is the eligibility threshold. "Sentence completed" means: all fines paid, all probation completed, all community service done, all licence suspensions lifted, all victim surcharges paid. The 5-year clock starts from the last of these conditions, not the conviction date.
- ✓
You want a permanent solution
Once approved, Criminal Rehabilitation is permanent. You never need to renew it. Future trips to Canada do not require carrying a TRP — you can enter freely (subject to all other admissibility requirements). This is the only pathway that permanently resolves criminal inadmissibility.
- ✓
You plan to travel to Canada regularly
The cost-benefit of Criminal Rehabilitation is obvious if you travel to Canada frequently. Each TRP costs $200 CAD and lasts up to 3 years — multiple TRP cycles can exceed the $1,000 Criminal Rehabilitation fee for serious criminality.
- ✓
You are applying for Canadian permanent residence
Criminal inadmissibility must be resolved before or during a PR application. Criminal Rehabilitation is the strongest foundation for a PR application for someone with a criminal record. A TRP does not remove inadmissibility for PR purposes.
Cost Comparison
| Fee Item | TRP | Criminal Rehabilitation |
|---|---|---|
| Government fee (non-serious criminality) | $200 CAD per TRP | $200 CAD (one time) |
| Government fee (serious criminality) | $200 CAD per TRP | $1,000 CAD (one time) |
| Biometrics | $85 CAD (if applicable) | $85 CAD (if applicable) |
| Frequency | Each application (up to 3-yr validity) | Once — permanent |
Government fees are set by IRCC and may change. These figures are current as of March 2026. Professional representation fees (immigration lawyers/consultants) are additional and vary.
Applying for Both Simultaneously — The Optimal Strategy
IRCC allows — and many immigration lawyers recommend — submitting a TRP application and a Criminal Rehabilitation application at the same time, as a combined package to a Canadian visa office abroad. This strategy makes sense when:
- ✓You are eligible for Criminal Rehabilitation (5+ years from sentence completion)
- ✓You have travel planned before your CR could be approved (which takes 6–18 months)
- ✓You want to hedge: if CR is denied, the TRP may still be approved
- ✓You want to demonstrate strong intent and compliance to the reviewing officer
In a combined submission, a single IRCC officer reviews both applications together. The TRP can be approved immediately while the Criminal Rehabilitation decision takes longer. Once CR is approved, the TRP becomes redundant — but it served its purpose for interim travel.
Tip: A combined TRP + Criminal Rehabilitation submission to a visa office is generally stronger than a port-of-entry TRP request for complex cases. Officers at visa offices have more time to review documentation and can consider both applications together.
What Officers Consider in Each Application
TRP — Officer Considers:
- •Is the need to enter Canada genuine and compelling?
- •Does the benefit of entry outweigh the risk to Canadian society?
- •What is the nature and seriousness of the offence?
- •How much time has passed since the conviction?
- •Is there evidence of rehabilitation (counselling, stable employment)?
- •Is this a one-time need or ongoing?
- •Are there alternatives to entering Canada?
Criminal Rehabilitation — Officer Considers:
- •Has 5 years elapsed since sentence completion?
- •Nature and circumstances of the offence
- •Pattern of criminal behaviour (single vs. multiple)
- •Evidence of positive change (stable employment, community ties)
- •Attitude toward the offence (remorse, insight)
- •Risk of reoffending in Canada
- •Any subsequent offences or charges anywhere
Not sure which pathway applies to you?
Our AI-powered reports analyze your specific situation — eligibility for TRP, Criminal Rehabilitation, and whether deemed rehabilitation might apply.
View ReportsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for TRP and Criminal Rehabilitation at the same time?+
Yes. IRCC allows and accepts combined TRP and Criminal Rehabilitation submissions to a Canadian visa office. This is a common strategy: the TRP allows entry during the 6–18 month CR processing period. Both applications are typically submitted to the same visa office in a single package.
Which is better — TRP or Criminal Rehabilitation?+
They serve different purposes. A TRP is faster and available immediately, but it is temporary. Criminal Rehabilitation is permanent but takes 5 years of eligibility waiting plus 6–18 months processing. If you are eligible for Criminal Rehabilitation, that is the stronger long-term solution. If you need to travel before CR is processed, a TRP bridges the gap.
Is Criminal Rehabilitation more expensive than a TRP?+
For serious criminality (e.g., post-2018 DUI), Criminal Rehabilitation costs $1,000 CAD versus $200 CAD per TRP. However, each TRP is only valid for up to 3 years. If you travel regularly, multiple TRP cycles over 5–10 years may cost more than a single Criminal Rehabilitation application. For non-serious criminality, both are $200 CAD.
How long does Criminal Rehabilitation take to process?+
Current processing times vary by visa office and application complexity, but 6–18 months is typical. Complex cases involving serious criminality or multiple convictions may take longer. IRCC publishes current processing times on its website. A TRP covers travel during this waiting period.
Can I enter Canada while my Criminal Rehabilitation application is pending?+
A pending Criminal Rehabilitation application does not make you admissible. You must either have a valid TRP, be deemed rehabilitated (if that applies to your situation), or wait until the CR application is approved before attempting entry. Applying for a TRP simultaneously with your CR application is the standard approach for this situation.
If Criminal Rehabilitation is approved, do I need to carry any documents at the border?+
Yes. Carry your IRCC Criminal Rehabilitation approval letter when crossing the Canadian border. While the approval is in the IRCC/CBSA system, having the original letter avoids delays. This letter confirms your inadmissibility has been resolved and is permanent — it does not expire.
📊 Want a personalized analysis?
Get a detailed report on which pathway — TRP, Criminal Rehabilitation, or deemed rehabilitation — applies to your specific situation under IRPA.
View Reports → From $49.99Your Next Step
Use our free admissibility screener to understand which pathway is available to you — based on your offence type, conviction date, and time elapsed since sentence completion.
Screen your admissibility — free and anonymousImportant: 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.