Can you enter Canada with a criminal record?

In November 2025, MLT Aikins lawyers Reis Pagtakhan and Patricia Bagnas authored “Can you enter Canada with a criminal record?” for the Fall 2025 issue of Gavel, a quarterly publication put out by the State Bar Association of North Dakota.
The article discusses the impact that criminal convictions can have on the entry process for Americans looking to visit Canada. While not all criminal convictions impact the ability of American visitors to enter the country, some qualifying criminal convictions can lead to entry being barred. Reis and Patricia outline the differences between the two and offer some possible paths to rehabilitation for those who have been – or are likely to be – denied entry into Canada.
Read the full article here.
Note: This article is of a general nature only and is not exhaustive of all possible legal rights or remedies. In addition, laws may change over time and should be interpreted only in the context of particular circumstances such that these materials are not intended to be relied upon or taken as legal advice or opinion. Readers should consult a legal professional for specific advice in any particular situation.




