Following a conviction on 34 charges in his hush money case, former U.S. President Donald Trump might be barred from entering Canada due to criminal inadmissibility.
Individuals convicted of crimes recognized in both their home country and Canada can be denied entry. Trump’s charges, such as “falsification of business records,” likely classify as serious criminality in Canada.
Temporary Resident Permit (TRP): Allows entry under compelling circumstances for 1 day to 3 years. Applications can be made at the Canadian consulate or the Canada/U.S. land border.
Criminal Rehabilitation: Permanently overcomes a criminal record. Requires a 5-year wait after sentence completion and proof of rehabilitation. Applications must be submitted to the Canadian consulate.
Canadian immigration authorities would begin by thoroughly examining the foreign crime committed, assessing:
- The foreign statute under which the offence was prosecuted.
- The sentence imposed.
- The date the sentence was completed.
They would then compare this to the equivalent Canadian offence to determine its severity.
Given the nature of Trump’s charges, such as “falsification of business records” involving substantial amounts of money, it is likely that these crimes would be classified as serious criminality in Canada. Serious crimes in Canada typically carry prison sentences of 10 years or more and often involve bodily harm or significant physical damage.
To address potential inadmissibility, Trump could seek an opinion from a Canadian immigration lawyer who would review his charges and convictions to determine their impact on his admissibility. Legal opinions can help individuals understand their options despite their criminal records.
For immediate entry, Trump could apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), which grants entry under compelling circumstances for a period ranging from 1 day to 3 years. TRP applications can be submitted to the Canadian consulate in the individual’s home country or directly at the Canada/U.S. land border by visa-exempt travelers.
In the long term, Trump might pursue criminal rehabilitation, a process that can permanently overcome his criminal record if no further charges are brought against him. To qualify, he would need to:
- Wait 5 years after completing his sentence before applying.
- Demonstrate rehabilitation, showing proof of a stable lifestyle, community connections, and social and vocational skills.
Criminal rehabilitation applications must be submitted to the Canadian consulate in the applicant’s country of residence. This option is available even for cases of serious criminality.