Rehabilitation for persons who are inadmissible to Canada because of past criminal activity (IMM 5312)

What happens next?

Upon receipt of your application an officer will review it and any supporting documents. If you are eligible to apply, the officer will make a positive or negative recommendation and forward the application to the authority who can approve or refuse applications for rehabilitation. For less serious offences, the authority is usually the manager of the local office. For more serious offences, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration will make the decision.

The following are some of the factors that will be taken into consideration when your application is reviewed:

• the number of offences and the circumstances and seriousness of each offence;
• your behaviour since committing the offence(s);
• your explanation of the offences and why you are not likely to re-offend;
• any support you receive from your community;
• why you think you are rehabilitated and
• your present circumstances.

Note: The authority who approves or refuses applications for rehabilitation does not have to follow the recommendation made by the immigration officer.

Applications for rehabilitation can take over a year to process. You will be advised in writing of the decision made on your application.

Receiving approval to overcome a criminal inadmissibility is only one part of determining whether or not you can enter or remain in Canada. Once you have been approved for rehabilitation, you will need to meet the requirements for applicants seeking entry as a temporary resident or permanent resident. For more information, contact a Canadian visa office listed on our website, or, if you are in Canada, contact the Call Centre.

<< contents | previous |