Temporary Resident Permit appliation from UK

[rich764089]

Hi all,
I can't seem to find the answer to this question, so hoping someone can help.

Unfortunately, I have a police caution for possession of a class A drug in the UK, dating back 4.5 years. This makes me ineligible to enter Canada, I believe, but I understand that I can apply for a temporary resident permit (TRP). The guidance I have read seems to suggest that the usual visa application process should be followed and that the application will then be channeled down the TRP route. However, as a UK national and resident I would not need to apply for a visa or eTA if it were not for my misdemeanour, so is the implication that I should apply for a TRP at the port of entry? I had assumed that I would need to be interviewed by an immigration officer in the UK, as for US visa.

Or, should I make an application for eTA (even though my intended date of travel would be before the date UK residents require an eTA) which would then be refused and I would be interviewed for a TRP in UK?

I am likely to need to travel to Canada for work purposes in the next couple of months, but understand the TRP process could be very long, if not done at port of entry.

many thanks in advance for any advice

 

[Msafiri]

If you were cautioned as opposed to convicted then you don't have to go through the rehabilitation process. Travel to Canada as normal. the eTA is not mandatory until March 15, 2016 - CIC rushed the scheme it seems without much though/input into resource so its being tweaked as applicants grow so you may be best waiting say into Feb 2016 to use it.