Short answer: a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is a fast but temporary way to enter Canada despite inadmissibility, while Criminal Rehabilitation is a slower, one-time application that can permanently resolve criminal inadmissibility. If a criminal record may make you inadmissible to Canada under IRPA s.36, these are the two main pathways to overcome that inadmissibility: a TRP under IRPA s.24(1), and Criminal Rehabilitation under IRPA s.36(3)(c). They are not competing alternatives; they serve different purposes, and in many cases people apply for both at the same time. A TRP can be issued immediately and has no minimum waiting period, but it expires and does not remove the underlying inadmissibility. Criminal Rehabilitation generally becomes available only 5 years after a person has completed their full sentence, but once approved it is permanent and does not need to be renewed. This guide compares both side by side. Neither pathway is guaranteed: an officer reviews each application and decides, and only a licensed immigration lawyer or a CICC-regulated consultant can advise on an individual case.
The Core Difference in One Sentence
TRP (IRPA s.24(1))
A temporary, discretionary permission to enter or stay in Canada for a specific purpose and period despite being inadmissible. Available immediately, with no minimum wait. A single TRP can be valid for up to 3 years, but it expires, can be issued for a single or multiple entries, may be cancelled by an officer at any time, and does not resolve the underlying inadmissibility.
Criminal Rehabilitation (IRPA s.36(3)(c))
An application that, if approved, permanently resolves criminal inadmissibility under s.36. Once granted, a person can generally seek entry to Canada without a TRP (subject to all other admissibility requirements). It generally requires that 5 years have passed since completion of the full sentence, and processing commonly takes several months or longer.
Full Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | TRP | Criminal Rehabilitation |
|---|---|---|
| IRPA authority | s.24(1) | s.36(3)(c) |
| Minimum wait from sentence completion | None, can apply immediately | Generally 5 years |
| Government fee (confirm current on IRCC) | $246.25 CAD | $246.25 (non-serious) or $1,231 (serious criminality) |
| Processing time | Sometimes same-day at a port of entry; weeks to months at a visa office | Several months or longer; varies by office and complexity (check IRCC) |
| Duration | Up to 3 years per TRP | Permanent once granted, 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.
- ✓
Five years have not yet passed since sentence completion
Applied Criminal Rehabilitation generally becomes available only after 5 years have passed from the day the entire sentence was completed. If that threshold has not been reached, a TRP is usually the only formal pathway to seek entry in the meantime. Deemed rehabilitation can apply in limited situations (for example, a single non-serious offence where 10 years have passed since sentence completion), but it does not apply to serious criminality. What this means for you: the wait clocks for the two pathways are different, so a person may qualify for a TRP long before they qualify for Criminal Rehabilitation.
- ✓
Your reason to enter Canada is compelling
Officers generally weigh the need to enter against the risk to Canadian society. Business travel, family emergencies, medical treatment, or attending a wedding or funeral are examples of reasons an officer may consider compelling. Purely discretionary or leisure travel is often harder to justify, particularly where serious criminality is involved. The officer decides whether, on the facts, the need outweighs the risk.
- ✓
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 the underlying inadmissibility. While a TRP is valid you may enter and remain as it permits, but once it expires (or is cancelled) the inadmissibility remains and a new permit would generally be needed. In simple terms, a TRP is a bridge for temporary travel, while Criminal Rehabilitation is the pathway that can resolve the inadmissibility for good.
When to Apply for Criminal Rehabilitation
Criminal Rehabilitation under IRPA s.36(3)(c) is the right choice when:
- ✓
At least 5 years have passed since your entire sentence was completed
This is generally the eligibility threshold for applied (criminal) rehabilitation. "Sentence completed" typically means all fines paid, all probation finished, all community service done, all driving prohibitions or licence suspensions lifted, and any victim surcharge paid. The 5-year period generally runs from the last of these to be completed, not from the conviction date. What this means for you: completing every part of the sentence as early as possible can move the eligibility date earlier, but the officer determines when the clock actually starts.
- ✓
You want a lasting solution rather than a repeated permit
Once granted, Criminal Rehabilitation does not need to be renewed. Future trips to Canada generally would not require a TRP for that criminal inadmissibility (you would still need to meet all other admissibility requirements). It is the pathway that can permanently resolve criminal inadmissibility under s.36, whereas a TRP only sets it aside temporarily.
- ✓
You plan to travel to Canada regularly
Cost can favour Criminal Rehabilitation for frequent travellers. Each TRP carries its own government fee (currently $246.25 CAD; confirm the current fee on IRCC) and can be valid for up to 3 years, so several TRP cycles over many years can add up to more than a single Criminal Rehabilitation application. For serious criminality, the Criminal Rehabilitation fee is currently $1,231 CAD; for non-serious criminality it is currently $246.25 CAD (confirm current fees on IRCC).
- ✓
You are applying for Canadian permanent residence
Criminal inadmissibility generally has to be addressed before or during a permanent residence (PR) application. Criminal Rehabilitation provides a durable basis for a PR application by a person with a criminal record. A TRP allows temporary entry but does not, by itself, remove inadmissibility for PR purposes.
Cost Comparison
| Fee Item | TRP | Criminal Rehabilitation |
|---|---|---|
| Government fee (non-serious criminality) | $246.25 CAD per TRP | $246.25 CAD (one time) |
| Government fee (serious criminality) | $246.25 CAD per TRP | $1,231 CAD (one time) |
| Biometrics | $85 CAD (if applicable) | $85 CAD (if applicable) |
| Frequency | Each application (validity up to 3 years) | Once, permanent if granted |
Government fees are set by IRCC and can change. The figures above reflect IRCC fees effective December 1, 2025; always confirm the current fee on IRCC before applying. The Criminal Rehabilitation fee is typically paid as $246.25 up front, and IRCC advises later if the higher $1,231 amount applies for serious criminality. Professional representation fees (immigration lawyers or CICC-regulated consultants) are separate 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 (processing can take many months, so check current IRCC times)
- ✓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 detailed breakdowns explore your circumstances, eligibility for TRP, Criminal Rehabilitation, and whether deemed rehabilitation might apply.
View Deep DivesFrequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for TRP and Criminal Rehabilitation at the same time?+
Yes. IRCC accepts combined TRP and Criminal Rehabilitation submissions to a Canadian visa office. This is a common strategy because the TRP can permit entry while the Criminal Rehabilitation application is being processed, which can take many months. Both applications are typically submitted to the same visa office in a single package, and an officer can approve the TRP first while the rehabilitation decision is still pending.
Which is better: TRP or Criminal Rehabilitation?+
They serve different purposes, so neither is simply "better." A TRP is faster and available immediately, but it is temporary. Criminal Rehabilitation can be permanent, but it generally requires 5 years from sentence completion before you can apply, plus processing time that can run to many months. If you are eligible for Criminal Rehabilitation, it is often the stronger long-term option; if you need to travel before it is processed, a TRP can bridge the gap. The right choice depends on your facts, and an officer decides each application.
Is Criminal Rehabilitation more expensive than a TRP?+
It depends on the offence and how often you travel. For serious criminality (for example, an impaired-driving offence on or after December 18, 2018), the Criminal Rehabilitation fee is currently $1,231 CAD, compared with $246.25 CAD per TRP. For non-serious criminality, both are currently $246.25 CAD. Because each TRP is valid for at most 3 years, several TRP cycles over many years can add up to more than a single Criminal Rehabilitation application. These are the fees IRCC set effective December 1, 2025; confirm the current amounts on IRCC.
How long does Criminal Rehabilitation take to process?+
Processing times vary by visa office and by how complex the application is, and can run to many months. Cases involving serious criminality or multiple convictions can take longer. IRCC publishes current processing times on its website, so check there for an up-to-date estimate. A TRP can cover travel during this waiting period if it is approved.
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 relates 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?+
It is generally wise to carry your IRCC Criminal Rehabilitation approval letter when crossing the Canadian border. The decision is recorded in IRCC and CBSA systems, but having the original letter can help avoid delays at the port of entry. The letter confirms that the criminal inadmissibility under s.36 has been resolved and that the rehabilitation does not expire. A border officer still decides admissibility at the time of entry.
Does deemed rehabilitation make a TRP or Criminal Rehabilitation unnecessary?+
Sometimes. Deemed rehabilitation can apply automatically by operation of law, generally where there is a single non-serious offence and 10 years have passed since the sentence was completed (a separate class can apply to two or more summary-equivalent offences). It does not apply to serious criminality. If a person is deemed rehabilitated, they may not need a TRP or an applied Criminal Rehabilitation for that offence. Because the rules are technical, many people confirm their status with IRCC or a licensed professional rather than assuming it applies. An officer makes the final determination at the border or visa office.
Does a foreign pardon or expungement remove inadmissibility to Canada?+
Not automatically. Canada assesses inadmissibility under its own law, so a pardon, expungement, or sealing granted in another country is not, by itself, treated as resolving inadmissibility under IRPA. Canada does recognize a record suspension granted under its own Criminal Records Act (IRPA s.36(3)(b)). For a foreign conviction, the usual routes to overcome inadmissibility are a TRP, applied Criminal Rehabilitation, or deemed rehabilitation, depending on the facts. A final acquittal is treated differently from a pardon.
Is a DUI considered serious criminality for these pathways?+
It can be. Impaired operation under Criminal Code s.320.14 carries a maximum penalty of 10 years (s.320.19) for offences committed on or after December 18, 2018, which falls within serious criminality under IRPA s.36(1). That matters here because serious criminality is not eligible for deemed rehabilitation, so the realistic pathways are usually a TRP or applied Criminal Rehabilitation (available generally 5 years after sentence completion). Other driving offences, such as dangerous operation, are assessed against their own Canadian equivalents and are not automatically in the same tier. An officer assesses the equivalency on the facts.
Can a TRP be refused even if I am eligible, and can Criminal Rehabilitation be refused too?+
Yes to both. A TRP is discretionary: an officer weighs the need to enter against the risk to Canadian society and can decline even where a person is technically eligible. Criminal Rehabilitation is assessed against structured criteria, but it can also be refused, for example where the officer is not satisfied the person is unlikely to reoffend. Neither pathway carries a guaranteed outcome, which is one reason some applicants submit both together so a TRP can still cover travel if rehabilitation is refused.
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This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.