Our recent blog post on TRP processing times explained that, when applying in advance, the Canadian government can take up to 8 months to process your Temporary Resident Permit application and reach a final decision.
If you have a criminal record and need a TRP a lot quicker than that – say in order to attend a wedding, funeral, work event, or even a last-minute holiday – then the only alternative is to apply for a TRP directly at a port of entry such as a land border crossing, airport, or seaport.
There, you will be able to apply for an expedited TRP, and border agents from the Canada Border Services Agency will make a decision on whether to grant you one in just a few hours.
Having an experienced Canadian immigration lawyer assist you with the preparation of all the necessary documents before you arrive at a port of entry can significantly speed up this process and also improve your chances of success.
What is an Expedited Temporary Resident Permit?
Requesting urgent entry to Canada when you have a criminal record can only be done at a port of entry such as a land border crossing, airport, or seaport. Although you run the risk of being issued a border denial and having to turn back, it’s the only way to avoid what could be a several-month wait when applying in advance.
A border TRP application will usually be decided on by Canadian immigration officials in a matter of hours. If you have an urgent need to visit Canada – for example, to attend to a family emergency – an expedited TRP could be one of the best available options.
If granted, it will give you special permission to legally enter Canada and stay there for a specified period of time.
Documents Needed at The Border
There is a wide range of documents that could be useful to support your expedited TRP application at the border. This includes but is not limited to:
- Identification Documents:
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Criminal Records:
- Original court documents for each conviction
- Police reports
- Proof of completed sentences, probation, and paid fines
- Certificates of completing rehabilitation programs
- Purpose of Travel Proof:
- Letters of invitation, business meeting confirmations
- Wedding or family event invitations/itineraries
- Other Supporting Documents:
- Verification of employment
- Character references
- Bank statements showing the ability to support yourself financially
- Return travel arrangements
If you need a TRP fast, Dogen Law can help you prepare all of your documents before presenting at the Canadian border. This will ensure the Canadian border authorities have all the information they need to make an informed decision on your case.
How to Speed Up Regular Processing Times
If you decide to apply for a TRP either in advance through your nearest Canadian consulate or at a border checkpoint, there isn’t really anything you can do to speed the process up. There are, however, some ways to ensure the processing of your application doesn’t get unnecessarily delayed:
- Make sure you are eligible – To be granted a TRP there is a requirement that you have a valid and compelling reason to enter Canada, so your personal statement should include a focus on this aspect.
- Enclose the right documents – Sometimes, only original documents will be accepted, so including photocopies could cause your application to be delayed while the originals are requested.
- Fill out the form correctly – Making a mistake on the application form could mean Canadian border agents have to contact you to request that you amend it, which could delay a decision.
Following these tips will ensure you maximize your chances of being able to enter Canada quickly.
Deemed Rehabilitation
If more than 10 years have passed since you completed the sentence for your crimes – including probation, fines, and any other conditions that were imposed – you may be eligible for deemed rehabilitation, and therefore not need a Temporary Resident Permit.
In cases where you have two or more summary convictions (roughly equivalent to a misdemeanor conviction) rather than an (indictable) felony, only five years must have passed.
You may be eligible for deemed rehabilitation if your crimes:
- Would have a maximum prison term of less than 10 years if committed in Canada
- Are not considered ‘serious criminality’ in Canada
- Did not involve any serious property damage, physical harm to any person, or any type of weapon
If you live in the US and meet these conditions, you can travel to a Canadian Port of Entry and ask to be deemed rehabilitated without prior arrangement. You must ensure that you bring all documents related to your criminal history in order to prove your claim of being rehabilitated.
If you meet all of the relevant requirements, the chances of being deemed rehabilitated are very high.
See our Complete Guide to Deemed Rehabilitation for more details.
How Dogen Law Can Help
At Dogen Law, we have extensive experience helping clients navigate the various legal pathways to visit or immigrate to Canada. Our team can assist with applications for Temporary Resident Permits and Criminal Rehabilitation to help you overcome criminal inadmissibility to Canada.
Get in touch today by completing our online assessment to see if you are eligible.
