Posted on , updated on by David
Entry-to-Canada-With-A-Misdemeanor

A misdemeanor arrest or conviction may make a U.S. citizen citizen inadmissible to Canada. Entry to Canada with a misdemeanor is however possible provided the crime is considered relatively minor. The severity of the crime is judged based on the corresponding punishment in the Canadian judicial system and not the American system. A good example of this is a DUI charge. In the United States a DUI (impaired driving, DWI) a relatively minor crime and considered a misdemeanor in many jurisdictions. Canada on the other hand, considers driving under the influence alcohol or other substances that impair the ability to drive very seriously. In fact, a DUI conviction in Canada carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years.

How Do I Know If I’m Eligible to Enter Canada With A Misdemeanor?

A single non-violent misdemeanor with no other charges that has had a sufficient amount of time pass may be eligible for what is called “deemed rehabilitation”. You will have had to complete any required court orders and pay any restitution or fines as per sentencing.

Simple assault requires an application for either a temporary resident permit od criminal rehabilitation.

Entry to Canada With Multiple Misdemeanors or Felony Convictions

Generally speaking, felonies are an equivalent to an indictable offence in Canada and considered a serious crime. No amount of time going to makes a person eligible for deemed rehabilitation. Special permission to enter Canada will be required. This takes the form of 1 of 2 options. You can apply for either a Canada Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or Criminal Rehabilitation.

Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)

A  Temporary Resident Permit allows individuals with serious misdemeanors, multiple misdemeanors, and even felony convictions enter Canada for a fixed period of time. Generally speaking, a Temporary Resident Permit is issued for a period of one year but can be issued for up to three years. In emergency situations they can be issued quite quickly. More often there is a waiting period of XX months.

Criminal Rehabilitation

Criminal Rehabilitation is permanent permission to cross the Canadian border despite having misdemeanor convictions. Application for criminal Rehabilitation can take up to 12 months.

Free Admissibility Consultations

We recognize that every case is unique and it’s best to have a professional review your situation. Simply call Mitch at 1-800-438-7020 or use the online form on this page.

64 thoughts on “Can You Enter Canada with a Misdemeanor?”

  1. Adam Peterson says:

    Hello,
    I have a misdemeanor assault charge on my record from 2009 and was wondering if I would be allowed to enter Canada on a work trip/retreat happening in October.
    Thank you in advance!

  2. Lee Lidtke says:

    I have several misdemeanor charges1 gross misdemeanor charge, currently on probation and out on bail. Can I travel to Canada

  3. Olivia says:

    My mom doesn’t have an email so I’m asking on her behalf. She has a disorderly conduct misdemeanor from 2015 but participated in a diversion program and doesn’t have any fees or anything. Can she enter?

  4. PJ says:

    I have two DUIs one from about 8 years ago, the other about 7 years ago. Are there any steps I need to take to cross the Canadian border? Obviously this is ignoring all the COVID stuff

    • Mitch says:

      Hi PJ, if you have more than one DUI conviction then you will need to apply for something to overcome them no matter how long has passed unfortunately. If you have any interest, please feel free to reach out to me at info@bordercrossing.ca or (204) 488-6350.

  5. Dawn says:

    a friend of mine wants to come to visit canada after covid is over, she has as she puts it a charge that was dropped to mistaminor burglary. would she be allowed to come visit it was over 6 years old.

    • Mitch says:

      Hi Dawn,

      She would be considered inadmissible with a ‘burglary’ offence, if she’d like to visit she would first have to apply for an approval to overcome her inadmissibility. If she has any interest, she can feel free to reach out to my office for a more thorough consultation: (204) 488-6350 or info@bordercrossing.ca

  6. Toni Berghoff says:

    Hello, I have 3 speeding tickets. Most recent one was March 2020. All paid for instantly. Just curious if it would be possible to travel to Canada for my birthday in November?

    • Mitch says:

      If all 3 infractions were called ‘speeding’ then they should not prevent you from being able to enter Canada. Please be advised that there are restrictions on non-essential travel currently and you should look into whether or not they have been lifted before trying to travel.

  7. Jessica says:

    If someone has a charge of criminal damage to property (despite it being their own property), but someone accused them of breaking something that belonged to them, called the police, and the person accused just ended up paying a fine, as that was cheaper than an attorney, would that be a reason to not be able to visit Canada? This occurred in 2009.

  8. Monet says:

    In February 2016 I was arrested for an DUI and later received a CWOF. All classes and fees have been paid and probation ended February 2017. Would I be able to visit Canada without being turned away, or would this still be considered up to whoever is at the border? And is there a difference whether driving across or flying into? I personally would not be driving, as I still have not decided to reinstate my license since the incident.

  9. Amanda says:

    A friend of mine just plead guilty today to a careless driving misdemeanor. given a fine and no loss of license. Is he admissible to cross the border?

    • Mitch says:

      That offence makes him inadmissible to Canada, if he has any questions in regards to overcoming this than he can feel free to reach out to my office.

  11. Ann says:

    I escaped an extremely abusive relationship. Part of his abuse in the end was calling the police on me when I would attempt to leave him. He would tell fabricated stories to the police that I was “uncontrollable and assaulting him.” And because of domestic abuse laws in my state, even though I was the actual victim, I was arrested twice in the period of two years because of the calls he made to 911, and was very convincing. After getting out jail the 2nd time, I fled him for good, but before I could get a restraining order, he turned the tables and put one on me, with again fabricated stories: I was terrified of him and avoided him like the plague, and even changed my name to escape his stalking. In the end, everything was dismissed based on his complete fabrications and me being the actual victim. But now I have two dismissed assault arrests & a dismissed protection order on my record. I’ve never been arrested in my life prior to this, as I’ve always been a law abiding citizen. Would these dismissed charges and dismissed protection order keep me from entering Canada?

  12. irwin says:

    i was accidentally charge of a misdemeanor PETTY THEFT in 2015 but my case is dismissed and i got tha ACD have a disposition letter that my case is dsmissed can i enter in canada?

  13. Robert Overall says:

    If you were charged of “petty offense” would that stop you from crossing into Canada? I completed unmonitored probation over a year ago and had no fees/restitution

  14. Chris says:

    If I have a misdemeanor drug charge, with probation ending in 2022. Is that considered something that would require any special paperwork if I wanted to travel to Canada?

  15. Alvin Pennant says:

    Hi i’m alvin. I was charged januray of this year for larceny as a servant. What are my chances of going ti canada to work july?

  16. Brad L says:

    I have two misdemeanor criminal trespassing charges that happened a week apart, no damage or violence. Just drinking issues that led to staying in bad places. The charges were combined and sentenced together. Small fine and 20days in jail. Happened in 2008, sentence completed in 2009. So 12 years ago. Am I deemed rehabilitated and eligible to enter Canada?

  17. ramesh says:

    Hi I have a misdemeanor for soliciting in 2017 and I paid $250 fees as guilty that’s it case is closed. Now I am trying to move to Canada as a Permanent Resident. AM I eligible for express entry?

  18. Matt Senica says:

    I have just been charged with a misdemeanor offer to solicit, I’ve been traveling to Canada for 30 years, nothing else is on my record, can I cross the border this September with all COVID protocols met

  19. kolby says:

    i am in the middle of court proceedings and i am being chargedwith a misdemeanor charge of point a gun at someone would i not be able to travel to canada again?

  20. Michael says:

    I got a DWi in 1993 and have not had another. However, I was charged with felony battery which was reduced to misdemeanor battery in 1995. No conviction since. Can I enter?

  21. Jake Buntain says:

    I have a misdemeanor marijuana possession and drug paraphernalia charge from 2017, would I be able to enter Canada?

  22. Pete says:

    I am an airline pilot and recently got convicted of misdemeanor fraud and 3 year probation. Will I be allowed to travel to Canada for overnight stays as a pilot.

    • Mitch says:

      Hi Pete, you would likely be inadmissible with that conviction. If you’d like to apply to overcome it than please feel free to call or email my office.

  23. Emma says:

    If I received a misdemeanor for minor theft 5 years ago that has been sealed on my records with HYTA, what is the chance I will still be denied access to Canada just to pass through for a trip to New York?

  24. Darien says:

    Hello I had a DWI misdemeanor 7 years ago and that was the only time I ever ran into legal trouble. Will I be allowed to fly in in may?

    • Mitch says:

      Hi Darien, a DUI makes you inadmissible for at least 10 years following the completion of your sentencing requirements. If you’d like to know how you can overcome this please feel free to reach out by phone or email.

  25. Kate says:

    What if Someone was charged with public lewdness which is misdemeanor? Any problem entering to canada?

  26. Kyle says:

    Hey I have 3 misdemeanor marijuana paraphernalia charges, All dismissed from 2014-2017.
    In 2018, I also got charged with misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor. I had gotten a ride from a friend of the family, his acquaintance in the passenger seat had
    marijuana on him and he was 17 and I was 21, thus I was charged for that. He did tell the cops and court that I did not in any way provide that. I was advised to plead not guilty, I paid all court cost and did 6 months unsupervised probation, completed everything and paid all dues.
    Can I be eligible to immigrate (from US) to Canada/permanent residency via PNP, Express Entry, etc?

  27. Scott Buck says:

    Hi Mitch, I would like to come to Canada for a fishing trip in August. 10 years ago I pled guilty to a Disorderly Conduct charge. I was was required to pay court costs of a couple hundred dollars and have no same or similar charges for a year. Both of which have been satisfied. Will I be able to enter Canada?

    • Mitch says:

      Hi Scott, you would likely be able to enter if that’s your only offence but I would have follow-up questions to be sure. Please feel free to call or email me if you’d like further assessment.

  28. Daniel Archer says:

    I was arrested in 2007 for providing to minors(a pack of cigarettes). I got diversion and haven’t had anything else since. Could I enter Canada?

  29. Justin says:

    I have a 4th degree child endangerment charge from about 3 years ago from saving a child from drowing as a lifeguard. I was charged bc I accidentally left a bruise on the child.

  30. Ang says:

    Hello, I have a question. I have a misdemeanor from a reckless driving, alcohol related on my record from 2017. Everything was taken care of and I have nothing else on my record. Would I be able to enter Canada in August 2022 for work purposes as we have a manufacturing plant there and I need to attend for work purposes.

    • Mitch says:

      Hi there, you are likely inadmissible to Canada but I have follow-up questions to best advise. Please feel free to reach out by phone or email.

  31. Alex says:

    Hello, my name is Alex. I have a “Resisting a Public Officer” conviction on my record from North Carolina, a Class 2 misdemeanor in the United States. Am I able to travel to Canada and apply for jobs?

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