Breaking immigration policy affects thousands of travelers
On This Page You Will Find:
- Why your second Canada entry will cost $239.75 (no exceptions)
- The one-time fee waiver that most people waste unknowingly
- Three permanent solutions to avoid repeated $1,199 payments
- How to legally enter Canada multiple times without constant fees
- Timeline requirements that could save you thousands in processing costs
Summary:
If you've been denied entry to Canada due to criminal inadmissibility, you're facing a harsh reality: the government will waive processing fees only once. After that single grace period, every subsequent entry attempt will cost you $239.75 to $1,199 depending on your offense severity. This policy change has caught thousands of travelers off-guard, forcing them to either pay repeatedly or pursue permanent rehabilitation solutions. Understanding these new restrictions could save you thousands in processing fees and months of application delays.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Fee waivers for inadmissible persons are limited to one single-entry permit only
- Standard processing fees range from $239.75 for minor offenses to $1,199 for serious crimes
- Temporary Resident Permits can provide multiple entries for up to three years
- Criminal Rehabilitation offers permanent solution to eliminate future fees
- Deemed Rehabilitation automatically applies 10 years after DUI conviction completion
Maria Santos learned this the hard way. After receiving a fee waiver for her first Temporary Resident Permit following a DUI conviction, she assumed Canada would continue to waive the $239.75 processing fee for future visits to see her elderly parents in Vancouver. She was wrong.
"I had no idea the waiver was a one-time thing," says Santos, who now faces the choice between paying hundreds of dollars for each visit or pursuing a permanent rehabilitation solution that costs over $1,000 upfront.
Her situation reflects a growing challenge for thousands of inadmissible persons who need regular access to Canada for family, business, or medical reasons.
Understanding Canada's Fee Waiver Policy
The Canadian government's position is crystal clear: the fee for a standard single-entry permit will only be waived once. This policy applies to all inadmissible persons, regardless of the nature of their inadmissibility or their reasons for visiting Canada.
This one-time waiver represents a significant shift in how Canada handles inadmissible travelers. Previously, the system was less structured, leading many to believe they could receive multiple fee waivers over time.
What This Means for Your Travel Plans
If you've already used your one-time fee waiver, every future entry attempt will require full payment of processing fees. There's no appeals process, no hardship exceptions, and no family emergency waivers.
The financial impact can be substantial. A person visiting Canada twice yearly would pay nearly $480 annually just in processing fees, with no guarantee of approval for entry.
Current Fee Structure That's Hitting Wallets Hard
Canada's 2026 fee structure creates a significant financial barrier for repeat visitors:
Standard Processing Fees:
- Single or multiple non-serious offenses: $239.75 CAD
- One or more serious offenses: $1,199 CAD
- TRP processing (no entry guarantee): $200 CAD base fee
These fees apply to each application, meaning a business traveler needing quarterly Canada visits could face nearly $1,000 annually in processing costs alone.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
Beyond the obvious processing fees, inadmissible persons often face additional expenses:
- Legal consultation fees ranging from $500 to $2,000
- Document preparation and translation costs
- Travel delays and rebooking fees if permits are denied
- Lost business opportunities during processing periods
Smart Strategies for Multiple Canada Entries
Rather than paying processing fees repeatedly, inadmissible persons have three strategic options that can provide long-term solutions.
Option 1: Multi-Entry Temporary Resident Permits
A TRP can be issued for multiple entries valid for up to three years. While you'll still pay the processing fee upfront, this option eliminates the need for repeated applications.
Best for: People with ongoing business relationships, family obligations, or medical needs requiring regular Canada access.
Timeline: Processing typically takes 4-6 months for complex cases, but provides peace of mind for the permit duration.
Option 2: Criminal Rehabilitation (The Permanent Solution)
Criminal Rehabilitation permanently removes your inadmissibility, eliminating all future processing fees and entry restrictions.
Processing fees:
- Non-serious offenses: $239.75 CAD
- Serious offenses: $1,199 CAD
Eligibility: Available five years after completing all sentencing requirements, including probation, fines, and community service.
The math is compelling: If you plan to visit Canada more than five times over your lifetime, Criminal Rehabilitation pays for itself while providing permanent peace of mind.
Option 3: Deemed Rehabilitation (The Automatic Solution)
For single DUI convictions, Canada automatically considers you "deemed rehabilitated" 10 years after completing all sentencing requirements.
Requirements:
- Only one impaired driving offense
- 10 years passed since completion of sentence
- No additional criminal activity
- Offense would be considered non-serious under Canadian law
This option requires no application, no fees, and no waiting for government approval.
The Real Cost of Waiting vs. Acting
Consider two scenarios for someone planning to visit Canada annually for the next decade:
Scenario A (Paying Per Visit):
- Annual processing fees: $239.75
- 10-year total: $2,397.50
- Plus stress and uncertainty with each application
Scenario B (Criminal Rehabilitation):
- One-time fee: $239.75 or $1,199
- 10-year total: Same one-time fee
- Permanent solution with no future restrictions
The financial advantage of pursuing permanent rehabilitation becomes clear quickly, especially for frequent travelers.
Common Mistakes That Cost Thousands
Many inadmissible persons make costly errors that compound their problems:
Mistake 1: Wasting the one-time fee waiver on a short, unnecessary trip instead of saving it for an emergency.
Mistake 2: Applying for single-entry permits repeatedly instead of requesting multi-entry permits.
Mistake 3: Waiting too long to pursue Criminal Rehabilitation, resulting in years of processing fee payments.
Mistake 4: Not understanding deemed rehabilitation eligibility, leading to unnecessary TRP applications.
Making Your Decision: Questions to Ask Yourself
Before choosing your path forward, consider these critical questions:
- How often do you realistically need to visit Canada?
- Are you eligible for deemed rehabilitation within the next few years?
- Can you afford the upfront cost of Criminal Rehabilitation?
- Do you have urgent travel needs that can't wait for processing?
Your answers will guide you toward the most cost-effective solution for your specific situation.
What Immigration Lawyers Won't Tell You
Here's insider knowledge that could save you significant money:
Timing matters: Apply for Criminal Rehabilitation exactly five years after sentence completion, not later. Delays only cost you more in TRP fees.
Documentation is everything: Incomplete applications face automatic rejections, forcing you to pay processing fees again for resubmission.
Professional help pays off: While legal fees seem expensive upfront, they're often less than the cost of multiple failed applications.
Taking Action: Your Next Steps
The path forward depends on your specific circumstances, but action is better than inaction when it comes to Canadian inadmissibility.
If you haven't used your fee waiver: Save it for a genuine emergency or important occasion, not casual travel.
If you need immediate access: Apply for a multi-entry TRP to maximize value from your processing fee payment.
If you're thinking long-term: Start the Criminal Rehabilitation process as soon as you're eligible.
The Canadian immigration system doesn't reward procrastination. Every month you delay pursuing a permanent solution potentially costs you more in processing fees and travel restrictions.
Your inadmissibility doesn't have to mean permanent exclusion from Canada, but it does require strategic planning and decisive action to minimize costs while maximizing your travel freedom.
FAQ
Q: What happens after I use my one-time fee waiver for entering Canada?
After using your one-time fee waiver, every subsequent entry attempt to Canada will require full payment of processing fees ranging from $239.75 to $1,199 depending on your offense severity. There are no exceptions, hardship waivers, or appeals for this policy. The Canadian government considers this a firm rule that applies regardless of your reason for visiting - whether for family emergencies, business obligations, or medical needs. For example, if you visit Canada twice yearly after using your waiver, you'll pay nearly $480 annually just in processing fees with no guarantee of entry approval. This policy shift has caught many travelers off-guard who assumed they could receive multiple fee waivers over time.
Q: How can I legally enter Canada multiple times without paying repeated fees?
You have three strategic options to avoid repeated processing fees. First, apply for a multi-entry Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) valid for up to three years, which requires one upfront payment but eliminates repeated applications. Second, pursue Criminal Rehabilitation if you're eligible (five years after completing sentencing), which permanently removes your inadmissibility for a one-time fee of $239.75-$1,199. Third, wait for Deemed Rehabilitation if you have a single DUI - this automatically applies 10 years after sentence completion with no application required. The math is compelling: if you plan more than five Canada visits over your lifetime, Criminal Rehabilitation pays for itself while providing permanent peace of mind and eliminating all future entry restrictions.
Q: What's the difference between serious and non-serious offenses for processing fees?
Non-serious offenses carry a $239.75 processing fee, while serious offenses cost $1,199. Generally, non-serious offenses include single DUI convictions, minor theft, or assault charges that wouldn't result in maximum sentences exceeding 10 years under Canadian law. Serious offenses typically include multiple convictions, violent crimes, drug trafficking, or any offense punishable by 10+ years imprisonment in Canada. The classification depends on how Canadian law views your offense, not the original conviction jurisdiction. For example, a single DUI from 2015 would be non-serious ($239.75), but multiple DUIs or a DUI with bodily harm could be classified as serious ($1,199). This classification affects both TRP and Criminal Rehabilitation processing fees.
Q: When am I eligible for Deemed Rehabilitation and how does it work?
Deemed Rehabilitation automatically applies 10 years after completing all sentencing requirements for a single non-serious offense, most commonly a DUI conviction. You must have only one offense, completed all sentences including probation and fines, maintained a clean record for 10 years, and your offense must be considered non-serious under Canadian law. This process requires no application, no fees, and no government approval - you're automatically considered rehabilitated. For example, if you completed DUI sentencing in January 2014, you'd be deemed rehabilitated in January 2024. However, you should carry documentation proving sentence completion and the 10-year timeframe when traveling to Canada to avoid border delays or confusion.
Q: What are the hidden costs of being inadmissible to Canada beyond processing fees?
Beyond the obvious $239.75-$1,199 processing fees, inadmissible persons face substantial additional costs that can total thousands annually. Legal consultation fees range from $500-$2,000 per case, document preparation and translation can cost $200-$500, and travel delays from permit denials often result in rebooking fees of $300-$800. Business travelers face lost opportunities during 4-6 month processing periods, potentially costing thousands in missed contracts or relationships. Many people also waste money on incomplete applications that face automatic rejection, forcing them to pay processing fees again for resubmission. Emergency travel situations become particularly expensive, as inadmissible persons cannot simply book last-minute flights and must plan months ahead for permit approval.
Q: How do I choose between a Temporary Resident Permit and Criminal Rehabilitation?
Your choice depends on timing, eligibility, and travel frequency. Choose a TRP if you need immediate Canada access (within 6 months), aren't yet eligible for Criminal Rehabilitation (need 5 years post-sentence), or only plan occasional visits. TRPs work best for urgent business needs or family emergencies but require renewal every 1-3 years. Choose Criminal Rehabilitation if you're eligible (5+ years post-sentence), plan multiple Canada visits over your lifetime, or want permanent peace of mind. The break-even point is typically 5 visits - if you'll visit Canada more than five times, Criminal Rehabilitation costs less long-term. For serious offenses ($1,199 fee), Criminal Rehabilitation pays for itself after just one additional visit compared to repeated TRP applications.
Q: What mistakes should I avoid that could cost me thousands in additional fees?
The most expensive mistake is wasting your one-time fee waiver on unnecessary short trips instead of saving it for emergencies or important occasions. Many people also apply for single-entry permits repeatedly instead of requesting multi-entry permits, essentially paying $239.75 multiple times when one multi-entry permit could cover years of travel. Waiting too long to pursue Criminal Rehabilitation results in years of unnecessary processing fees - apply exactly five years after sentence completion, not later. Another costly error is not understanding Deemed Rehabilitation eligibility, leading to unnecessary TRP applications when you're already automatically rehabilitated. Finally, submitting incomplete applications almost guarantees rejection, forcing you to pay processing fees again for resubmission while losing months of processing time.
