Summer is the busiest season for traveling to Canada. If you’re considering a trip, it’s crucial to understand the country’s entry regulations. Non-citizens looking to enter for events or to see family may face denial of entry if officials determine they are inadmissible due to criminal records. Consider booking a complimentary consultation on inadmissibility with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm. This article will discuss how to determine if you may be considered criminally inadmissible and the actions you can take to address this issue in order to gain entry into Canada. What does criminal inadmissibility mean? Only citizens of Canada are permitted to enter the country. Non-citizens may face entry restrictions if they have a criminal record due to Canada’s strict focus on border security, which includes assessing individuals for potential risks and prohibiting those who might commit crimes while in Canada. What types of actions or offenses can lead to being deemed inadmissible to Canada? Generally, you may be deemed inadmissible to Canada due to criminality if you committed an act that is considered a crime in both the country where it occurred and in Canada at the time it took place. To grasp the concept of inadmissibility in Canada, it’s essential to explore the distinctions between “criminality” and “serious criminality,” which vary based on the level of the offense as defined by Canadian law at the time of the incident. You might be deemed inadmissible due to criminal behavior if. You have been found guilty (in any country) of a crime classified as an indictable offence according to Canadian law, or of two distinct crimes categorized as summary offences; or. You have engaged in an activity outside of Canada that is considered a crime in that nation and qualifies as an indictable offence in Canada. Indictable offences are more severe crimes, similar to felonies in the U.S., while summary conviction offences are less grave, akin to misdemeanours in the U.S. This pertains to serious criminal behavior. You may face inadmissibility due to severe criminal offenses if.