does criminal record affects your permanent resident application?

[Sandip2006]

Hello everyone,

How you doing guys?
I have simple question about my application. Does criminal records affects PR application?
How can i satisfy immigration officer? Do i need to aaply for pardon?
I am on conditional discharge and my probation order got expired end of last month.
Before i am going to apply my PR application do i need to apply for pardon too?
Is there any chances to refusal of "PR application"?

Your answer will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Have a nice day

 

[axelfoley]

Which country was you conviction in? Canada looks to find the "equivalent" offence in Canada to the crime that was punished abroad, so you need to do some research (primarily by looking through the Criminal Code but also other Acts of Parliament) to see what the equivalent statute in Canada would be for your offence. If no equivalent can be found in Canada, then you are in a good position.

Also you need to look at the maximum sentence that COULD be imposed in CANADA for the same offence. They don't care what you ACTUALLY got sentenced to, what matters is what the worst case could be in CANADA. If that is 10 years or more then you will have some serious issues to proceed with a PR application without applying for rehabilitation. Also you need to see if your offence is considered either a Summary or Indictable offence in Canada. If it is Summary, you are in a much better position.

Canada does not automatically recognize foreign pardons/record suspensions but it is likely to help your case if you can get one. You may have to file an application for criminal rehabilitation before or at the same time as your PR card application.

But please consult a qualified lawyer or immigration consultant for proper advice. What I have written here is merely some basic guidance to give you an idea for further research.