COW – Serious Criminality and how it is Addressed – May 28, 2026

• Non-citizens convicted of a serious crime are inadmissible—whether the crime happened inside or outside Canada. This means that they’re not allowed to enter or stay in Canada.
• Serious crimes are listed in the Criminal Code of Canada and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Driving under the influence is considered a serious crime, as well as extortion.
• Being convicted of a crime outside Canada doesn’t always mean that a person is inadmissible—only if it is considered an offence in Canada.
• When assessing cases, we look at all available evidence. This includes police or intelligence reports, statutory declarations, media articles and other public information.

How we address serious criminality

• If we find out that a person in Canada may have committed a crime, Canada Border Services Agency will investigate. That person could become inadmissible and removed from Canada.
• People who are sentenced to six months or more of prison time cannot appeal their inadmissibility decision to the Immigration Appeal Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).
• The IRB makes decisions on immigration and removal cases.