The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a huge event, and many people from around the world are planning to travel to Canada to watch the matches. But if you have any kind of criminal record, even something small or something that happened many years ago, you may have problems entering Canada.
Canada has very strict rules about who can enter the country. Even a small offence can make you criminally inadmissible, which means Canadian border officers can refuse your entry. This can happen even if your offence was minor or was already resolved in your home country.
This can be very stressful for World Cup fans who have been planning their trip for months or years. But there is good news: Canada has different options that may allow you to enter the country legally, even if you have a criminal record when visiting Canada.
You Can Be Found Criminally Inadmissible For Small Or Major Crimes
Canada looks at your entire criminal history. This includes past offences, current charges, and even things that didn’t lead to a conviction.
You can be found inadmissible if:
- You committed an offence but were not charged
- You were charged but not convicted
- You have pending charges
- You were convicted of an offence
Many people think only major crimes matter. But even small offences can be a problem if the Canadian version of that offence is considered serious.
Common offences that can cause admissibility problems include:
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Theft
- Assault
- Dangerous driving
- Drug possession or trafficking
Even if your country treated the offence as “small” or gave you only a fine, Canada may still consider it serious.
Why Small Offences Can Still Cause Problems?
Canada compares your offence with Canadian law at the time you committed it. If the Canadian version is treated seriously, you may be inadmissible.
For example, some countries consider drunk driving a minor issue. But Canada made DUI a serious criminal offence in 2018. So even one single DUI in another country can stop you from entering Canada today.
If You Think You Might Be Inadmissible, Do This First
If you plan to attend any of the 13 matches in Toronto or Vancouver, and you have a criminal record, you must take two steps before doing anything else:
- Understand how Canada views your record
- Check your options to fix the issue
Step 1: How Canada Looks At Your Criminal Record?
If you have a criminal record when visiting Canada, it is important to know how the nation’s law assesses your record.
Well, firstly to understand whether you are inadmissible, you must compare:
- The law in the country where your offence happened
- The Criminal Code of Canada
Canadian officers decide whether your offence falls under:
- Criminality
- Serious criminality
These categories are very important because they decide what options you have.
Criminality (Less Serious Offences)
You may be inadmissible under “criminality” if:
- You were convicted of an offence that would be an indictable offence in Canada
- You were convicted of two separate summary offences
- You committed an act abroad that is considered an indictable offence in Canada
In Canada, indictable offences are serious crimes, like violent acts or big theft and fraud. These are similar to felonies in the US.
Non-indictable offences, also called summary offences, are less serious crimes, such as small theft or vandalism. These are similar to misdemeanours in the US.
A single minor offence usually does not automatically stop you from entering Canada. However, immigration officers will look at the Canadian equivalent of your offence before deciding.
Serious Criminality (More Serious Offences)
You may be inadmissible for serious criminality if:
- The Canadian version of your offence carries a possible sentence of 10 years or more
- You were convicted in Canada for an offence punishable by 10+ years
- You were sentenced to more than six months in jail
This category is very strict. Even one offence can block you from entering Canada permanently unless you apply for rehabilitation.
Hybrid Offences
Canada also has hybrid offences. These offences can be treated as either summary or indictable, depending on the situation.
But for immigration, all hybrid offences count as indictable offences
This means you may be inadmissible even if your country treated the offence as minor.
Step 2: Choose The Best Way To Enter Canada
Once you know how Canada sees your offence, you can choose one of the three options to fix your inadmissibility:
- Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)
- Deemed Rehabilitation
- Criminal Rehabilitation
The best option for you depends on things like how serious your offence was, how long ago it happened, and whether you are likely to break the law again while in Canada.
Since processing times for these applications may get longer as the 2026 World Cup gets closer, it’s smart to start the process early so you don’t face delays.
Many travellers also hire an immigration lawyer. A lawyer can help you understand how your offence is viewed under Canadian law and make sure your application is strong enough to get you into Canada without problems.
Option A – Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)
A TRP lets you enter Canada for a limited time even if you are inadmissible.
A TRP is usually allowed only when:
- You have a strong, important reason to visit
- Your reason is more important than the risk you may pose
Examples of strong reasons:
- Business meetings
- Funeral
- Wedding
- Family emergency
Attending a football match may not be considered strong enough, so a TRP may be refused unless you provide a very strong explanation.
TRPs:
- Can be valid for one day to up to three years
- Can be single-entry or multiple-entry
- Require you to leave Canada when they expire
Many people choose to get legal help when applying because TRPs are completely discretionary, meaning that the officer can approve or refuse it.
How To Apply For A TRP?
If you have a criminal record when visiting Canada, the next thing to discuss is how you can apply for a TRP.
Well, how you apply for a TRP depends on your nationality and Canada’s entry rules.
If you are from a country that requires a visa to enter Canada, you must apply for both a TRP and a visitor visa at the same time. You need to do this at the Canadian consulate or visa office in your country before you travel.
If your country only needs an eTA to enter Canada, you must apply for a TRP through the Canadian visa office in the country where you live.
Moreover, if you are a US citizen or a US green card holder, you can apply either at a Canadian consulate or directly at the border (land, sea, or airport). However, border officers make decisions at their own discretion, so approval is not guaranteed. This means you could be denied entry, which is risky if you are travelling for the World Cup.
TRP processing usually begins within about 30 days after you submit a complete application. The application fee is $239.75.
Option B – Deemed Rehabilitation
Sometimes, if enough time has passed after you finished your entire sentence (including probation, fines, and community service), you may be automatically considered “deemed rehabilitated.”
This applies only to less serious crimes, not major or serious ones. If you had one indictable offence, you usually need to wait 10 years after completing your sentence. For summary offences, you normally need to wait at least 5 years.
There is no application for this. If you qualify, a border officer or a visa office can recognize your status.
If you are not sure whether you qualify, you can ask a Canadian embassy, high commission, or consulate to review your case for free. Many travellers also hire an immigration lawyer to help avoid delays.
People living in the US can sometimes get this assessment at the border, but there may be a fee.
What Is A Legal Opinion Letter?
If you have a criminal record, you may want to get a legal opinion letter. This letter can improve your chances of being allowed into Canada for the FIFA World Cup.
A legal opinion letter helps the immigration officer understand how your offence in another country matches Canadian law, and why you may qualify for Deemed Rehabilitation.
Immigration lawyers write these letters to explain the legal details and give a professional opinion about whether you should be allowed into Canada, especially when public safety is involved.
These letters usually explain:
- The legal issues in your case
- Any risks involved in letting you enter Canada
- The Canadian laws that match your offence
- The reasons why you should be considered admissible
The letter is not required, but it can reduce the chance of being refused at the border.
You can also use this letter when applying for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or Criminal Rehabilitation.
Option C – Criminal Rehabilitation
Criminal Rehabilitation (also called Individual Rehabilitation) is a permanent fix for your past offences. If your application is approved, you will no longer be considered inadmissible to Canada for those offences.
This option is for people who do not qualify for Deemed Rehabilitation and who finished every part of their sentence at least 5 years before applying.
Criminal Rehabilitation can be used for both serious and non-serious crimes.
When reviewing your application, immigration officers look for proof that you live a stable life, behave well, and are not likely to commit another crime.
Note: If you apply for a TRP near the end of 2025, you may not receive a decision before the first FIFA World Cup match in Canada on June 12, 2026. Criminal Rehabilitation applications usually take 1–2 years to process.
However, if you qualify and have already applied for Criminal Rehabilitation, it may help your case when applying for a TRP.
Because of this, many travellers hire an immigration lawyer to understand their options and prepare a strong application.
Application Fees
- For non-serious criminality: $239.75
- For serious criminality: $1,199
CWRVisa, a Canadian immigration leader, promises excellence and tailored pathways for your Canadian journey. Get in touch with us at CWRVisa.ca.