Effect of a Conviction
If you are convicted of a criminal offence:
- you may not be permitted to travel to another country, such as the United States;
- if you are visiting Canada on a student visa or temporary work permit, you may be deported;
- if you are a landed immigrant, you may need to wait for several years before you can apply for citizenship or, if you committed a serious offence, you may be deported; and
- you may be refused a permit or licence to purchase or use a firearm.
Pardons and Criminal Records
You may have to wait up to 10 years after your sentence has been completed before applying for a pardon. The exact waiting period depends on your sentence.
The Parole Board of Canada decides whether or not to grant pardons. A pardon allows you to have your criminal record removed from the public record.
To learn more about pardons, please visit: Pardons or see this Parole Board of Canada fact sheet.
