Inadmissibility
There are a number of reasons you can be found inadmissible, denied a visa or refused entry to Canada such as:
- security,
- human or international rights violations,
- criminality,
- serious criminality,
- organized criminality,
- sanctions,
- transborder criminality,
- health grounds,
- financial reasons,
- misrepresentation,
- loss of refugee status,
- non-compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA),
- having an inadmissible family member.
Visit the Determine your eligibility page for more information.
Penalties for driving while impaired
If you drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs, including cannabis, you may be inadmissible for serious criminality. This means:
- you won’t be able to enter or stay in Canada unless we issue you a temporary resident permit
- you will have to pay the C$200 processing fee for the permit and there’s no guarantee you will be allowed to enter or stay in the country
Find out more about the new penalties for impaired driving and cannabis-related crimes.
Overcome criminal convictions
Depending on the crime, how long ago it was committed, and how you have behaved since the conviction, you may still be allowed to come to Canada if you:
- convince an immigration officer that you meet the legal terms to be deemed rehabilitated, or
- applied for rehabilitation and were approved, or
- were granted a record suspension, or
- have a temporary resident permit.
Visit the Overcome criminal convictions page for more information.
Ministerial relief
If you have been found inadmissible to Canada on grounds of security, certain provisions relating to human or international rights violations, or organized criminality, you may request that the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (the Minister) make a declaration of relief under subsection 42.1(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) if the Minister is satisfied that doing so is not contrary to the national interest. This process is commonly referred to as Ministerial relief.
You may apply for Ministerial relief using BSF766. Refer to the Guide to Applying for a Declaration of Relief Under Subsection 42.1(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Designation of the Iranian regime
In November 2022, the Minister of Public Safety implemented the designation of the Iranian regime pursuant to Paragraph 35(1)(b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), which renders all senior officials in the service of the Iranian regime inadmissible to Canada, from onwards. The designation also acts as a prevention tool as it ensures that prescribed senior officials will never be granted a Canadian visa in the first place, and the fact that the regime has been designated serves to discourage them from applying for a visa or otherwise attempting to travel to Canada.
Under this designation (as of ):
- approximately 17,800 applications were reviewed for potential inadmissibility
- dozens of individuals linked to the Iranian regime denied access to Canada
- 141 initial cases subject to investigation by the CBSA and/or IRCC
- 22 investigations closed by the CBSA for individuals who were either out of the country or deemed not inadmissible to Canada
- 2 referrals were made for an admissibility hearing with the IRB
When the CBSA completes an investigation and reports a person, that case is then referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) for a final admissibility determination. The IRB is responsible for making decisions on immigration and refugee matters, efficiently, fairly and in accordance with the law. To learn more about the IRB's decisions, visit their webpage.
You are encouraged to report any suspicious activities or individuals using our Border Watch Line.
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