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Ontario|Immigration LawApplicants with Criminal Records 680 Visitors with a Canadian criminal record In addition to all other immigration requirements, such as visas, people who want to visit Canada and who have a Canadian criminal record may need a Minister's Permit to enter Canada legally. Whether you will need a Minister's Permit will depend on which of the following three situations apply to you.
If you have a Canadian conviction and you do not have a pardon, then you will need to apply for a Minister's Permit to enter Canada legally. Second, if you had a Canadian conviction but you have received a pardon from the Canadian National Parole Board, then your record is clear and you do not need a Minister's Permit to visit Canada. Third, if the charges against you were discharged, withdrawn, or stayed, or if you were acquitted, and you have no conviction on record, then you can have your file destroyed. Once your criminal file has been destroyed, then your record is clear and you do not need a Minister's Permit to visit Canada. Until your criminal file has been destroyed or pardoned, you will require a Minister's Permit to enter Canada legally.
Additional information about Minister's Permits is available on Legal Line . Additional information about clearing your Canadian criminal record is available in the Criminal Law section of Legal Line .
An immigration lawyer can assist you to prepare your application to visit Canada. It is important to write or speak to your immigration lawyer before you attempt to enter Canada because if you enter or attempt to enter without proper authorization, it is an offence under the Immigration Act for which you can and will be sent to jail. Also, an unsuccessful attempt to enter Canada can result in another criminal conviction for which you will need another pardon in order to be allowed to enter.
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