People who cannot come to Canada (Inadmissibility)

This information is for guidance and reference only. A decision on your admissibility can only be made when you apply to come to Canada or at a port of entry.

Some people are not allowed to come to Canada. They are known as “inadmissible” under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

There are a number of reasons you can be found inadmissible, denied a visa or refused entry to Canada under IRPA, such as:

• security
• human or international rights violations
• criminality
• organized criminality
• health grounds
• financial reasons
• misrepresentation
• non-compliance with IRPA or
• having an inadmissible family member

If you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you have a few options.

Note: If you have been convicted of driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, you will probably be found criminally inadmissible to Canada.

More detailed explanation of the reasons for inadmissibility.

Normally, if you are inadmissible to Canada, you will not be allowed to enter. In some cases, if you have a compelling reason to travel to Canada, you may be issued a Temporary Resident Permit.