American country music star Charley Crockett had to cancel the Canadian part of his tour after being refused entry into Canada due to his criminal record.

In a post shared on his Instagram account on February 23, 2026, Crockett explained that he tried to enter Canada at Kelowna on February 22. Border officials informed him that he was “inadmissible on grounds of serious criminality.”

Today, we will discuss how Canada’s rules on criminal inadmissibility can help explain why someone may be refused entry for serious criminality.

So, without further ado, let us begin!

Entering Canada: Who Is Allowed?

Only Canadian citizens have the guaranteed right to enter Canada.

All non-citizens, including permanent residents, must meet Canada’s admissibility rules before being allowed to enter the country.

One key requirement is having a criminal history that does not suggest the person could pose a risk to Canadian society.

Under Canadian immigration law, officials look at:

  • How serious each offence was
  • When the offence happened
  • How the offence compares to Canadian law at the time it occurred

Based on this review, a person may be found inadmissible due to either criminality or serious criminality.

For offences committed outside Canada, serious criminality generally means the person committed or was convicted of an offence that could be punished in Canada by 10 years or more in prison.

Both foreign nationals and permanent residents can be found inadmissible on grounds of serious criminality.

Citizenship By Descent: A Possible Exception

The simplest way to guarantee entry into Canada is to be a Canadian citizen.

If Crockett had Canadian parents or grandparents, he might have been able to claim citizenship by descent. In such cases, border officials would have to allow entry, even if the person had a criminal record.

Options For People Found Criminally Inadmissible

If someone who is not a Canadian citizen is found criminally inadmissible or believes they might be, they usually have three possible options:

  • Applying for a temporary resident permit (TRP).
  • Seeking entry under deemed rehabilitation.
  • Applying for individual rehabilitation, also called criminal rehabilitation.

Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)

A temporary resident permit allows a foreign national to enter Canada for a limited time despite being criminally inadmissible.

To receive a TRP, the applicant must convince immigration officials that the reason for entering Canada is more important than any risk they may pose to Canadian society.

A TRP can be applied for online in advance. In some cases, such as for US citizens, it may also be requested at the border.

Many immigration professionals recommend applying online ahead of travel. A legal opinion letter from an experienced immigration representative can help strengthen the application.

Even with an approved TRP, entry into Canada is not guaranteed. For all non-citizens, including TRP holders, final entry decisions always rest with border officers at the time of arrival.

Deemed Rehabilitation

Some individuals may qualify as deemed rehabilitated under Canada’s immigration rules.

However, deemed rehabilitation does not apply in cases of serious criminality. It cannot be used when the offence is punishable in Canada by 10 years or more in prison.

Individual Rehabilitation

Individual rehabilitation, also known as criminal rehabilitation, is another option for overcoming inadmissibility. It applies to cases of serious criminality as well as regular criminality when deemed rehabilitation is not available.

To qualify, at least five years must have passed since the person completed their sentence.

Applicants must also show that they are unlikely to commit another offence and that they no longer pose a risk to Canadian society.

Unlike a TRP, criminal rehabilitation cannot be requested at the border. It must be applied for in advance.

US citizens in certain situations may apply online. Most other applicants must submit a paper application.

There is an important difference between the two options:

  • A TRP is temporary and valid only for a limited time.
  • Approved criminal rehabilitation permanently removes inadmissibility for the offences covered in the application.

What Does This Mean?

While the exact details of Crockett’s case remain private, Canada’s immigration rules are strict when it comes to serious criminality. Even well-known public figures can be denied entry if they do not meet admissibility requirements.

Anyone with a criminal record who plans to travel to Canada often needs to review their situation carefully and may need to apply for the appropriate permission in advance.

CWRVisa, a Canadian immigration leader, promises excellence and tailored pathways for your Canadian journey. Get in touch with us at CWRVisa.ca.