Start with the dates
Find the date you completed every part of your sentence: jail, probation, fines, restitution, community service and driving prohibitions. The last of these is your completion date.
| Time since your sentence ended | What is usually available |
|---|---|
| Less than 5 years | A temporary resident permit only |
| 5 years or more | Individual criminal rehabilitation (and a TRP while it is processed, if you need to travel) |
| 10 years or more, one non-serious offence | Possibly deemed rehabilitation, with no application needed |
Criminal rehabilitation: the permanent fix
Once approved, rehabilitation permanently removes inadmissibility for the offences it covers. You can travel to Canada freely afterwards, unless something new happens. The application shows that you have reformed: stable work and family life, no further offences, and an explanation of what happened and what changed. Processing can take many months, so apply well before you need to travel.
Temporary resident permits: entry for a reason
A TRP lets you enter despite the conviction, for a specific purpose and period, when the officer finds your reason for coming outweighs any risk. A strong TRP application explains a concrete purpose, such as a business meeting, a family event or medical care, and shows the time that has passed and your conduct since. A TRP is temporary and usually ends when you leave Canada.
Impaired driving deserves special attention
Since December 18, 2018, impaired driving carries a maximum of 10 years in Canada, which makes it serious criminality. A DUI or DWI conviction, including from the United States, no longer qualifies for deemed rehabilitation however old it is. You need individual rehabilitation or a TRP. Many travellers are surprised by this at the border.
Purpose matters too
- One important trip soon: a TRP, even if you are also eligible for rehabilitation.
- Regular travel, work or immigration plans: rehabilitation, so the issue is resolved for good.
- Both: apply for rehabilitation, and for a TRP for the trip you cannot postpone.
Before you travel
- Get certified court records and police certificates for every offence.
- Do not try to enter without a solution. Being refused entry, or misrepresenting your history at the border, can make things worse.
- If you may be deemed rehabilitated, consider a legal opinion letter explaining why, to carry with you.
We analyze your records, confirm the Canadian equivalent of each offence, and prepare the application that fits. See criminal inadmissibility.
Last reviewed November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration law and IRB procedure change often; we confirm the current rules for your file at your consultation.