Immigration Pardon – Canada

Do you have a criminal record and want to live in Canada?

A criminal record will affect your ability to Immigrate to or remain in Canada.

Are you applying for any of these visas?

• Visitor
• Refugee Status
• Permanent Resident or Landed Status
• Canadian Citizenship
• Minister's Permits
• Temporary Work Permits

If you have a Canadian criminal record your applications for any of the above could be refused or delayed.  If the criminal record is serious, Citizenship and Immigration Canada may remove your current immigration status, resulting in deportation.

It is recommended that you apply for a Canadian Pardon to ensure that your record is sealed, therefore eliminating any delays or problems that may exist in the future.

What is a Canadian Pardon?

A Canadian Pardon or immigration pardon is an official authorization granted by the federal government of Canada that allows individuals who have been convicted of criminal offences, to have their criminal record suspended and sealed.

The criminal record is removed from the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) and kept separate from the database of non-suspended criminal records of the RCMP. No one can access that record without prior written permission from the Minister of Public Safety (Canada), with the exc eption of law enforcement.

There are two main eligibility factors that govern the granting of immigration pardons. When an individual has met these criteria, the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) considers their application for having a record suspended.

In order to apply for a Canadian immigration pardon you must first:

• Have completely served your sentence
• Had a waiting period of five years for summary convictions (relatively minor offenses) or had a waiting period of ten years for indictable convictions (criminal offences)

If you are removed, deported, or denied from Canada due to a Canadian Criminal Record and you wish to return; you will need to start and complete the Canada Pardon process. By sealing your Canadian Criminal Record, you are proving to Citizenship and Immigration Canada that you are no longer involved in criminal activity and that you have been of "good conduct behaviour" for several years.