Canada is renowned internationally for its breathtaking landscapes, cosmopolitan cities, and open immigration policy. Canadian immigration law sets out a criteria that renders an individual “inadmissible”.

Whether you are visiting Canada on holiday, for business travel, or immigrating to Canada, being aware of these grounds of inadmissibility will save you from disappointment and inconvenience at the border.

Authority of Immigration Officers

You should be aware that the final authority for your admissibility rests with Canadian immigration officers. They decide this on three levels:

• When you are applying for a visa
• When you are applying for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
• When you initially arrive at a Canadian port of entry

Nine Reasons for Inadmissibility

1. Security Concerns

National security is a very significant concern for Canada. You may be deemed inadmissible based on security reasons such as:

• Participation in espionage activities
• Subversion (attempting to overthrow a government)
• Participation in terrorism or violent activities
• Membership in organizations involved in such activities

These security measures help to protect Canada’s national interests and the welfare of its citizens.

2. Human or International Rights Violations

People with human rights offences have barriers to entering Canada. These include:

• Persons who have participated in war crimes
• Perpetrators of crimes against humanity
• Senior government officials implicated in serious human rights violations
• Officials of governments under international sanctions

Canada has been a world leader in human rights, therefore, inadmissibility reasons of this kind are of particular importance.

3. Criminal Record

By far, one of the most common causes of inadmissibility is having a criminal record. This includes:

• Convictions for theft, assault, or fraud
• Imbibing liquor or being intoxicated from liquor and drugs
• Convictions for drug offences
• Any other offensive acts deemed criminal under Canadian law

Even if your misdemeanour is minor, it can still render you inadmissible to Canada. 

4. Associations to Organized Criminal Activity

Individuals associated with organized crime are inadmissible. This involves:

• Membership in a criminal organization
• Involvement in people smuggling operations
• Involvement in money laundering activities
• Traffic of controlled substances

5. Medical Reasons

Some medical conditions can also lead to inadmissibility, including those that:

• Present a danger to public health
• Present threats to public safety
• Would cause an “excessive demand” on Canada’s social or health services

Take note that some applicants are exempted from the “excessive demand,” like some immigrants and refugees included in the family class.

6. Financial Matters

Canada requires that visitors and immigrants be financially independent. You can be deemed inadmissible if:

• You’re not capable of supporting yourself financially
• You’re unable to support relatives coming to join you
• You appear hesitant to look after your own needs in Canada

This requirement ensures newcomers are not in a state of urgent need of social welfare.

7. Misrepresentation

Honesty forms the backbone of the Canadian immigration process. Inadmissibility for misrepresentation can be caused by giving false information or withholding essential information. This includes:

• Providing forged documents
• Providing false information in interviews
• Withholding material information about your application

The misrepresentation penalty is harsh and could result in a five-year prohibition from entering Canada.

8. Failure to Comply with Immigration Law

Failure to comply with any requirement under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) could render you inadmissible. Examples include:

• Violating conditions on a visa
• Working without proper authorisation
• Staying for longer than permitted
• Entering without proper documents

Minor violations can have serious immigration consequences.

9. Inadmissible Family Members

To the surprise of many, you can also be deemed inadmissible simply because a family member is inadmissible. This would typically be for:

• Dependent children
• Spouses or common-law partners in certain streams of immigration

Next Steps If You Are Potentially Inadmissible

Being potentially inadmissible does not necessarily mean you cannot enter Canada. Depending on the reasons for inadmissibility, options may be:

• Requesting rehabilitation (for criminal inadmissibility)
• Requesting a Temporary Resident Permit
• Seeking a legal opinion about your specific situation
• Overcoming the root problem (e.g., settling financial problems)

Conclusion

It is recommended that anyone who plans to travel to or immigrate to Canada is made aware of the reasons for inadmissibility.  Being aware of such potential barriers and eliminating them in advance for smooth entry is desirable.

If you suspect that you are inadmissible to Canada, hiring an immigration specialist before applying for entry will save you time, money, and unhappiness.

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