Criminal Rehabilitation

Please read the following instructions carefully:

• Your application is subject to a NON-REFUNDABLE processing fee.
• If your application is refused, the fee will not be refunded.
• The Immigration Section offers service in both of Canada's official languages, English and French.

Documents in languages other than English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation.

Important information

Note that visa offices in the United States do not use the "For Information Only" provisions mentioned on pages 8, 9 and 12 of the Guide for Approval of Rehabilitation.

Offences involving operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs will, with very rare exceptions, render persons criminally inadmissible to Canada. If five years have passed since the end of the sentence imposed you must apply for Approval of Rehabilitation to enter Canada.

If a personal interview is required, you will be notified in writing of the date and time of the interview.

It is strongly suggested that you first read the Guide to determine whether or not you need to follow the Approval of Rehabilitation*(PDF 364 KB) process to gain admission to Canada. Please follow the instructions contained in the Guide and in the following paragraphs.

Original documents required

Fully completed application form, Application for Criminal Rehabilitation PDF*(227 KB) and all documents indicated in the Document Checklist PDF * (32 KB).

Note: Follow all the instructions in the completion Guide. Do not leave questions unanswered. The form must be completed in block letters or typed.

Two passport size photographs taken within the last six months.

A criminal clearance certificate from the National police authorities in all countries where you have resided at least six months since reaching the age of 18, including an FBI certificate for the United States and (if appropriate) an RCMP certificate for Canada.

This clearance must be based on a fingerprint check. See our Police Certificate Instructions.

State police certificates and local police certificates from all the locations, in the United States, where you have resided at least six months since reaching the age of 18. Communicate with State and local authorities regarding instructions for the obtainment of such documents.

If your driver's licence was suspended as a result of your conviction, you must provide official proof of restoration of full privileges and of the date of restoration.

You must also provide, as applicable, official proof of payment of fines, discharge from probation, and/or satisfaction of community service.

Fees

The fee for processing an application for Approval of Rehabilitation must be submitted with your application. See our Fee Schedule available on the Can-Am site.

For Approval of Rehabilitation in respect of serious criminality, we ask that you submit the lower fee with your application and we will advise you, after review of your case, if a "top-up" fee is required.

Payment may be made by cash (when applying in person), money order, bank draft or certified cheque, payable to the "Canadian Consulate General". Please do not send cash in the mail.

How to apply

You may submit your complete application by mail or in person - each receives the same priority. You will NOT receive immediate consideration of your application. We will contact you when your application has reached our review stage. Processing times may be lengthy - especially so in cases of serious criminality.

Submit your application to one of these offices:

Canadian Consulate General
Immigration Section
3000 HSBC Center
Buffalo, New York 14203-2884
USA

Canadian Consulate General
Immigration Section
Suite 1100
600 Renaissance Center
Detroit, Michigan 48243-1798
USA

Canadian Consulate General
Immigration Section
550 South Hope Street, 9th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071-2627
USA

Canadian Consulate General
Immigration Section
1251 Avenue of the Americas
Concourse Level
New York, New York 10020-1175
USA

Canadian Consulate General
Immigration Section
Suite 600
1501 4th Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98101-4328
USA

The Canadian Embassy
Immigration Section
501 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
USA

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