Entering Canada with a criminal record can be complicated. Even a single offense, such as a DUI, may render a person inadmissible. Fortunately, there are legal pathways that allow certain individuals to overcome this barrier. One such solution is a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), which enables you to visit Canada for a specific period despite your inadmissibility.
Whether you’re visiting for a family emergency, professional obligation, or a long-planned vacation, a TRP can provide temporary legal entry, and is usually faster than other long-term options like Criminal Rehabilitation.
At Dogen Law, we focus exclusively on helping individuals with criminal inadmissibility issues navigate the Canadian immigration system. Whether you’re dealing with a single DUI or a more complex criminal record, we have the legal experience and procedural knowledge to assess your situation and help you determine whether a Temporary Resident Permit is the right path forward.
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every TRP application we handle is custom-built to reflect your specific circumstances, your reasons for travel, and the legal standards that Canadian immigration officers will apply. From gathering essential documentation to preparing detailed legal submissions, our goal is to present your case in the strongest possible light.
Our team has successfully assisted clients from across the United States and beyond in obtaining Temporary Resident Permits, often under urgent and time-sensitive conditions. With clear, fixed-fee pricing and personal guidance at every step, Dogen Law provides the structure, clarity, and advocacy you will need to move forward with confidence.
A Canadian Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is an authorization attainable through application that grants an individual entry into the country for a predetermined amount of time. This permit’s validity typically lasts for the duration of your intended visit to Canada. For instance, if you plan to attend a one-week conference, your TRP will span precisely that duration.
You may apply for a Temporary Resident Permit if you have a previous misdemeanor, felony, or crime outside of Canada that classifies you as inadmissible to the country. Typical offenses include the following:
DUI and other driving offenses
Battery or Assault
Domestic Violence
Drug Trafficking
Weapons Violation
Probation Violation
Theft
It’s imperative to recognize that, even if you possess valid motives for your visit, such as a vacation or work-related trip, your need must eclipse potential health or safety risks to the broader Canadian public. This will be determined by the immigration officers when processing your application.
If you think you would be deemed criminally inadmissible to Canada due to your past record, a Temporary Resident Permit may still offer a pathway forward, provided you meet certain conditions. You’ll need to present a clear, legitimate reason for your visit, whether it’s reconnecting with family, attending a professional event, or addressing medical needs.
Canadian immigration officers will look at the entire context of your situation, including how much time has passed since the offense, whether it was an isolated incident, and what steps you’ve taken to rehabilitate yourself. Strong letters of explanation, character references, and proof of your travel purpose can all help improve your chances. With our support at Dogen Law, we aim to reduce the stress of the process and maximize your chances of approval.
Applying for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) can be an overwhelming process. Dogen Law is here to provide guidance every step of the way, ensuring your TRP application is well-positioned for a favorable outcome.
Preparing accurate documents is vital when seeking entry to Canada with a criminal record. The required documents usually include valid identification, travel documents, and additional paperwork that details your criminal convictions and the need for you to enter Canada.
Dogen Law provides comprehensive guidance on the specific documents you need, offering assistance to navigate potential border-related challenges smoothly.
Canadian border officials will likely inquire about your criminal record during your entry process. Maintaining transparency and providing accurate details are essential if you want to avoid being banned. Ready yourself for potential inquiries by gaining insight into how to answer questions about your past criminal convictions.
With the assistance of Dogen Law, you can be thoroughly prepared to manage these interactions, increasing the likelihood of a successful TRP application and entry to Canada.
A Canadian immigration lawyer can assist individuals with the TRP application process, including preparing the application package and representing the individual at the port of entry.
An experienced lawyer can help individuals navigate the complex process of applying for a TRP and increase their chances of success.
A lawyer can also help individuals understand their options and make informed decisions about their application.
It is not possible to apply for a new TRP online. Completed application forms and supporting documentation must be sent to a Canadian consulate or visa centre, submitted to a border official at a port of entry, or submitted to the Canadian government through an authorized representative such as an immigration lawyer (like Dogen Law).
Which TRP application form you fill out will depend on whether you are applying for a new TRP or attempting to extend or change an existing one while already inside Canada. New applications being made from outside the country will make use of the IMM 1444 form. If you are already in Canada on a Temporary Resident Permit and need to change it or extend it for a compelling reason, you would need to complete the IMM 5708 form, which can be found online.
When granted a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) in Canada, your authorized stay can range from one day to up to three years. Generally, the TRP duration aligns with the specific requirements of your intended visit. Importantly, a TRP can cater to either a single visit or multiple visits, depending on your individual circumstances. All of these factors will be decided upon by Canadian immigration officials when they process your application.
For those issued a single-entry TRP, it’s important to remember that the permit will lose its validity upon exiting Canada, even if that’s before the end date of the TRP. In contrast, a multiple-entry TRP remains in effect until the expiration date indicated on the permit or until an authorized entity revokes it.
A Temporary Resident Permit allows individuals with a criminal history to enter Canada for a limited period for a specific, compelling reason. Criminal Rehabilitation, on the other hand, is a more permanent solution that removes the inadmissibility of individuals with a criminal record, allowing them to enter and exit Canada indefinitely, subject to the usual visa conditions.
Criminal Rehabilitation applications can only be submitted to a Canadian consulate, usually take longer to process than a TRP application, and the processing fee can be higher if you have serious criminality on your record. See the table below for more details.
| Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) | Criminal Rehabilitation |
|---|---|---|
Purpose | Allows inadmissible individuals to enter Canada temporarily for a specific, compelling reason. | Provides a permanent solution for criminal inadmissibility to Canada – allowing travel for any reason. |
Eligibility Timing | Can apply at any time, even if the last criminal conviction was recent. | Can apply only after 5 years have passed since completion of the last sentence. |
Duration of Validity | Issued for a limited, defined period (from 1 day to 3 years); may be single- or multi-entry. | Permanent solution to criminal inadmissibility unless further criminal activity occurs. |
Processing Time | Generally faster: 3-6 months is typical when applying in advance, but can sometimes be issued at a port of entry on the same day. | Longer processing times (typically 6–18 months). |
Application Fee (2025) | CAD $239.75 | CAD $239.75 – Criminality CAD $1,199 – Serious Criminality |
Application Location | At a visa office, Canadian consulate, or at the border/port of entry (in emergencies). | Must apply through a visa office or consulate (not available at the border). |
If you have a pressing need to visit Canada, have a criminal record, and can’t wait the 3-6 months that it would usually take to process a TRP application, then it is possible to apply for one directly at a port of entry such as an airport, land border crossing, or sea port. There, you will be able to lodge an application and get a final decision in a matter of hours. This is sometimes known an “expedited TRP“.
Although the chances of a border denial and a wasted trip are much higher than if you have an already granted TRP in hand, having a pressing need to enter Canada and no alternative options can make it worth the risk.
Bear in mind that if you choose to follow this route, you will need to come prepared with a full set of supporting documents detailing the exact nature of your criminal convictions, along with clear evidence of your need to visit Canada.
At Dogen Law, we regularly help American citizens prepare for border crossings just like this. Get in touch today to find out more.
A TRP is only necessary for the relatively small portion of people who would otherwise be inadmissible to Canada, whereas a Canadian Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), also known as a visitor visa, is needed by most people who would like to visit – regardless of the reason.
Citizens from certain countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Japan, and South Korea can obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) instead of a TRV, and US Citizens are usually exempt from this requirement altogether.
Read more about TRVs on our dedicated blog post here.
As of December 2018, an impaired driving conviction such as a DUI, OUI, DWI, or DWAI is viewed as a serious crime by Canadian immigration authorities. This is because the maximum possible sentence for the equivalent crimes in Canada increased from 5 to 10 years imprisonment.
As a result, anyone who has one of these convictions from after 2018 is automatically criminally inadmissible and cannot enter Canada without either a TRP or Criminal Rehabilitation. If it has been less than 5 years since you completed your sentence and you are looking for a DUI waiver, a TRP application is your only chance of being able to enter Canada. This requires a valid and compelling reason for your travel, such as a family or work event.
If you have a single DUI from before the rule changes, you may still be able to visit Canada under the Deemed Rehabilitation scheme, but if you have more than one DUI in your criminal history, this option is not available. Dogen Law can help you to assess your eligibility in your unique set of circumstances and recommend the best course of action.
In 2025, the fee to apply for a Temporary Resident Permit is $239.75 CAD (about $170 USD). It’s important to note that this application fee is non-refundable, irrespective of whether your permit application is approved or declined.
This application fee gets paid directly to the Canadian government and does not include any fees that will be charged by a lawyer if they assist with preparing and submitting your application. Dogen Law offers fixed, upfront pricing — no hidden fees, no surprises. Get in touch today to find out more.
Typically, the application processing time for a Temporary Resident Permit takes three to six months (3-6 months). Given this timeframe, the government suggests applying well before your intended visit to the country.
In exceptional circumstances, same-day TRPs can be obtained by applying directly at a port of entry, such as a land border crossing, but you run a much greater risk of being denied entry and turned back. If you have an emergency need to enter Canada and have a criminal history, Dogen Law can help to prepare your documents before your arrival to boost your chances of successfully entering Canada.
