Criminal Rehabilitation Lawyer Canada - Apply for Criminal Rehabilitation & Overcome Inadmissibility
Clear your criminal inadmissibility and travel to Canada with confidence. Ayodele Law prepares strong Criminal Rehabilitation applications for clients worldwide — expert legal guidance to help you permanently remove your inadmissibility and regain entry.
What Is Criminal Rehabilitation?
Criminal Rehabilitation is a permanent legal process that allows individuals who are criminally inadmissible to Canada to have their inadmissibility removed.
Once approved, you are no longer barred from entering Canada because of your past conviction, and you can travel or apply for immigration without needing a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP).
Criminal Rehabilitation is available to foreign nationals who have completed their sentence and demonstrated that they are rehabilitated and no longer pose a risk to Canadian society.
Who Needs Criminal Rehabilitation?
You may need to apply for Criminal Rehabilitation if you have been convicted of a criminal offence outside Canada that is equivalent to an indictable offence under Canadian law, including:
Driving under the influence (DUI) or impaired driving
Assault or domestic violence
Theft or fraud
Drug possession or trafficking
Weapons offences
Even one conviction can make you inadmissible to Canada. Without Criminal Rehabilitation, you may be refused entry or denied a visa, work permit, or permanent residence.
Eligibility Requirements
| Eligibility Requirements for Criminal Rehabilitation |
|---|
| At least five years have passed since completing your entire sentence — including jail time, fines, probation, and community service. |
| You have no new criminal convictions since completing your sentence. |
| You can demonstrate rehabilitation — showing that you are unlikely to commit further offences. |
| The offence must be recognized under Canadian law. |
| If less than five years have passed, you may apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) to enter Canada temporarily. |
Types of Rehabilitation
1. Individual Criminal Rehabilitation
This is a formal application submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Once approved, the inadmissibility is permanently removed.
Processing can take 6–12 months, depending on the case.
2. Deemed Rehabilitation
You may be deemed rehabilitated if:
More than 10 years have passed since completing your sentence,
You have no subsequent convictions, and
Your offence was non-serious (punishable by less than 10 years in Canada).
Deemed rehabilitation is often assessed at the port of entry by a border officer.
| How to Apply for Criminal Rehabilitation |
|---|
| Applications for Criminal Rehabilitation must include a comprehensive package showing your eligibility and proof of reform. |
| Required Documents |
| Application form (IMM 1444) |
| Police certificates from every country where you have lived for 6 months or more since age 18 |
| Court records for each conviction |
| Proof of sentence completion (fines paid, probation completed, etc.) |
| Personal statement explaining the offence and your rehabilitation |
| Letters of reference from employers, community members, or religious leaders |
| Copy of your passport and government-issued ID |
| Processing Fees |
| $229.77 CAD for non-serious criminality |
| $1,148.87 CAD for serious criminality |
| Fees are non-refundable, even if the application is refused. |
How Ayodele Law Can Help
At Ayodele Law, we help clients around the world overcome criminal inadmissibility through well-prepared Criminal Rehabilitation applications.
We provide:
- Eligibility assessments based on your convictions and timelines
- Preparation of complete application packages with supporting evidence
- Legal submissions highlighting rehabilitation and positive factors
- Representation in complex or serious cases, including prior refusals
- Strategic advice on combining Criminal Rehabilitation with a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) if needed
If you’ve been denied entry to Canada or told you are inadmissible, contact Ayodele Law to begin your Criminal Rehabilitation process and permanently clear your record for Canadian immigration purposes.
From Our ClientsTracy has a wealth of experience in immigration law, and her deep understanding of the process was evident throughout my case. The team at Ayodele Law treated me with respect and kindness, making me feel more than just another case file. Thanks to Tracy, I Had a Successful Outcome, I highly recommend Ayodele Law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Criminal inadmissibility and rehabilitation raise important legal questions, and each case depends on its own facts. Below are answers to some of the most common concerns we hear from individuals seeking to overcome criminal inadmissibility to Canada. If your situation involves past convictions, border refusals, or urgent travel needs, it’s important to seek legal advice early.
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Yes — even a single conviction can make you criminally inadmissible to Canada if the offence is equivalent to an indictable offence under Canadian law. Many people are surprised to learn that offences such as DUI, assault, or theft can block entry. A Canadian immigration lawyer can assess whether Criminal Rehabilitation is required or whether you may already qualify for deemed rehabilitation.
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You may apply for individual Criminal Rehabilitation once five years have passed since you completed your entire sentence — including fines, probation, licence suspensions, or jail time. If more than ten years have passed and the offence was non-serious, you may qualify for deemed rehabilitation instead. Determining the correct eligibility date is critical, and mistakes can lead to refusals.
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Criminal Rehabilitation permanently removes your criminal inadmissibility. A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) only allows temporary entry for a specific purpose and time period. If you plan to travel to Canada repeatedly, apply for permanent residence, or avoid future border issues, Criminal Rehabilitation is usually the better long-term solution.
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Not always. Canadian immigration authorities assess whether your offence has a Canadian legal equivalent, regardless of how it was treated abroad. Some foreign pardons, expungements, or record suspensions may not eliminate inadmissibility under Canadian law. A criminal rehabilitation lawyer can analyze how your record is viewed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
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Most Criminal Rehabilitation applications take 6 to 12 months, depending on complexity, seriousness of the offence, and completeness of the application. Incomplete or poorly prepared applications can take significantly longer or be refused outright. Working with an experienced Canadian immigration lawyer helps avoid delays and strengthen your case.
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You do not need to be physically located in Canada. Ayodele Law represents clients in Toronto and worldwide, handling Criminal Rehabilitation applications remotely or in person. Given the permanent consequences of refusal and the strict legal analysis involved, working with a knowledgeable immigration lawyer is strongly recommended.
Contact us
In person or virtual consultations available. Your case is important to us. We will get back to you within 24 hours of your submission.
Office Hours: Monday - Friday | 10am - 5pm
Telephone: 647-937-4330
Fax: 416-486-7747
Email: admin@ayodelelaw.ca