Legal Opinion Letter for Inadmissibility to Canada
Facing possible inadmissibility to Canada? Ayodele Law prepares detailed Legal Opinion Letters analyzing your record under Canadian immigration law to clarify admissibility, support TRP or rehabilitation applications, and prevent border refusals.
What Is a Legal Opinion Letter?
A Legal Opinion Letter is a formal letter prepared by a Canadian immigration lawyer explaining how a person’s criminal record or past immigration history may affect their ability to enter or remain in Canada.
This letter helps visa officers, border agents, and immigration decision-makers understand your unique situation and how it aligns with Canadian immigration law — specifically the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
A Legal Opinion Letter does not guarantee entry to Canada, but it can play a crucial role in demonstrating that your record does not make you inadmissible, or that mitigating factors should be considered in your case.
Ayodele Law assists clients across Canada and internationally, including individuals seeking a legal opinion letter from an Ontario-based Canadian immigration lawyer before travelling, applying for a visa, or addressing admissibility concerns. Whether you are travelling through a Canadian port of entry or submitting documents to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or Canada Border Services Agency, a professionally prepared legal opinion letter can help clarify how your background is assessed under Canadian immigration law.
When Do You Need a Legal Opinion Letter?
You may need a Legal Opinion Letter if you have:
A criminal record in another country (e.g., DUI, assault, theft, fraud)
An expunged, pardoned, or dismissed offence that could still raise questions at the border
Past visa refusals, removal orders, or immigration violations
Concerns that a prior charge, arrest, or conviction might appear in background checks
Plans to apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or Criminal Rehabilitation
A Legal Opinion Letter is particularly valuable before travelling to Canada, attending business meetings, visiting family, or applying for any immigration document.
How a Legal Opinion Letter Helps
1. Clarifies Your Criminal Record
The letter analyzes your criminal history and compares it to Canadian criminal law equivalencies under the Criminal Code. It helps establish whether your offence qualifies as:
Non-serious criminality,
Serious criminality, or
Not an offence at all under Canadian law.
This analysis can make the difference between being allowed entry and being refused at the border.
2. Provides Legal Context for Border and Visa Officers
Border and immigration officers are not lawyers. They rely on summaries and equivalencies to determine admissibility. A Legal Opinion Letter explains your situation in plain, authoritative language — giving officers confidence that your case has been legally assessed by a licensed professional.
3. Strengthens TRP or Rehabilitation Applications
When you apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or Criminal Rehabilitation, a Legal Opinion Letter adds weight to your application by clearly setting out the law, your eligibility, and the reasons your past offence should not bar you from entry.
4. Reduces Risk of Misunderstanding
Even minor offences — or charges withdrawn years ago — can appear on background checks. Without legal clarification, officers may wrongly assume you are inadmissible. A Legal Opinion Letter can prevent such misunderstandings and smooth your travel experience.
When a Legal Opinion Letter May Not Be Enough
A legal opinion letter is a powerful tool, but it is not the right solution in every case. Some individuals may still require a formal application, such as criminal rehabilitation or a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), depending on the nature of the offence, the sentence imposed, and how recently it occurred.
For example, cases involving serious criminality or certain impaired driving convictions may require additional legal steps beyond a written opinion. A legal opinion letter is most effective where admissibility is unclear, borderline, or time-sensitive — particularly when foreign offences do not clearly match Canadian criminal equivalents.
An experienced immigration lawyer can assess whether a legal opinion letter alone is appropriate, or whether it should be paired with a rehabilitation or TRP strategy.
| What a Legal Opinion Letter Includes |
|---|
| Identification of relevant sections of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and Regulations (IRPR) |
| Explanation of the nature of your offence and how it translates under Canadian law |
| Assessment of your inadmissibility risk level (none, low, or significant) |
| Opinion on whether you may require a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or Criminal Rehabilitation |
| Highlighting of evidence of rehabilitation and good character |
| Recommendations for the next legal steps, if applicable |
Common Scenarios
You might benefit from a Legal Opinion Letter if you:
Were convicted of a DUI or reckless driving offence more than five years ago
Had a youth record or expungement in another country
Have an arrest without conviction that still appears in records
Are applying for a Canadian visitor visa and want to avoid a refusal
Are a U.S. citizen or resident crossing the border for business or tourism
Have received a Procedural Fairness Letter about possible misrepresentation or inadmissibility
Benefits of Getting a Legal Opinion Letter
Clarifies your admissibility before travelling or applying
Reduces the chance of border delays or refusals
Supports your visa or TRP application
Provides peace of mind knowing your case has been professionally assessed
Demonstrates to IRCC that you are acting transparently and in good faith
How Ayodele Law Can Help
At Ayodele Law, we regularly prepare Legal Opinion Letters for clients with past convictions or immigration concerns who want to visit, work, or immigrate to Canada.
We will:
- Review your criminal and immigration history
- Research and analyze equivalencies under Canadian law
- Draft a detailed legal opinion explaining admissibility and next steps
- Provide guidance on whether to apply for a TRP or Criminal Rehabilitation
Whether you’re a business traveler, family visitor, or permanent residence applicant, Ayodele Law can ensure your entry to Canada is properly documented and legally supported.
Contact Ayodele Law today to request a Legal Opinion Letter and get clear advice on your admissibility before travelling or applying.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Legal opinion letters address complex questions about admissibility to Canada and how past criminal or immigration history may be assessed by border and visa officers. Below are answers to the most common questions we receive from individuals seeking clarity before travelling or applying. Early legal guidance can help prevent refusals and unnecessary complications.
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No. A legal opinion letter is not mandatory for entry to Canada. However, it can significantly reduce the risk of being refused at the border or having an application denied. The letter provides immigration or border officers with a professional legal analysis explaining why your criminal or immigration history should not make you inadmissible under Canadian law.
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A legal opinion letter is recommended if you have any concern that your background could raise questions at the border. This includes individuals with a foreign criminal record, prior visa refusals, past immigration violations, or uncertainty about how an offence translates under Canadian law. It is especially useful before business travel, family visits, or submitting a visa, TRP, or rehabilitation application.
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Yes. A legal opinion letter can clarify how a DUI or impaired driving offence is treated under Canadian immigration law and whether it results in criminal inadmissibility. This is particularly important given changes to Canadian law in December 2018, which made many impaired driving offences more serious. A well-prepared opinion can explain equivalencies, timing, and whether alternative remedies may be required.
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A legal opinion letter provides a legal assessment arguing that you are admissible or that mitigating factors support entry on a discretionary basis. Criminal rehabilitation is a formal government application that permanently removes inadmissibility caused by a conviction. A legal opinion letter can be prepared quickly for urgent travel or borderline cases, while rehabilitation is a longer-term solution with strict eligibility and processing requirements.
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While no document can guarantee entry, a legal opinion letter can help prevent misunderstandings by clearly explaining your history, the applicable law, and why you should not be considered inadmissible. Border officers are not lawyers, and a clear legal analysis can provide important context that may otherwise be missing during an inspection.
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A legal opinion letter should be prepared by a licensed Canadian immigration lawyer with experience in inadmissibility matters. These letters rely on legal interpretation, statutory analysis, and case law. Letters prepared by non-lawyers or foreign counsel may carry little weight with Canadian immigration or border officials.
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