Common Inadmissibility Problems/Reasons in Canada Immigration

You may meet all the requirements whether it was from the federal or provincial/territorial programs. However, if your case is in one of the common inadmissibility problems and reasons then you will be refused to entry Canada. To prevent loss in time and cost for you before deciding to move to Canada, please consider carefully some of the Common inadmissibility problems/reasons below. 

About the inadmissibility

Under Canada’s Immigration law, people with inadmissibility are those who aren’t allowed to come to Canada. The decision for admissibility is made by a Canadian Immigration officer

• When you apply for a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) 
• When you arrive at a port of entry

Normally, if you are decided as inadmissible but have a valid reason to travel to Canada that is justified in the circumstances, the IRCC may issue you a temporary resident permit. Be aware that even if you were a permanent or temporary resident, doing some illegal things that among the common inadmissibility problems/reasons in Canada immigration could affect your status and make you inadmissible as well.

List of common inadmissibility problems/reasons in Canada

1. Conduct illegal, violent acts that might harm Canada peace includes:

• Spying
• Attempt to overthrow a government or similar actions
• Terrorism
• Joining in a group which organizes or involves any of these above

2. Actions violating human or international rights won’t be welcome in Canada: 

• War crimes or humanity crimes
• A senior official in a government engaged in gross human rights violations or subject to international sanctions
• Participate in an organization that plans criminal activity, people and prohibited goods smuggling or money laundering.

3. Medical conditions

Medical conditions the most common inadmissibility problems/reasons that would make the IRCC refuse your migration. Apparently, if you are considered to be under these categories then you are inadmissible: 

• A potential threat to public health
• Danger to public safety 
• Potentially have an excessive demand for health and social services.

To identify “excessive demand”, the IRCC would use a threshold to measure the financial demands on health and social service costs (includes home care, special education services, rehabilitation services, devices and so forth paid by a government agency). The threshold will be changed annually so you need to keep up-to-date with new information.

It’s not common for an individual to be denied to enter Canada because they might be a potential threat to public health and safety. The Canada immigration officer will assess on a case-by-case basis through your medical examination result so there is no list for this category. However, you can consider these cases: Sudden incapacity (loss of physical and mental abilities); unpredictable or violent behaviors  

4. Crimes 

Both minor and major crimes anywhere would make you be classified as “criminally inadmissible”. You can consult in a list of criminal offenses in the Criminal code of Canada

Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, including cannabis would mean that you won’t be admissible. Commit cannabis-related crimes includes illegally producing, distributing, selling, importing or exporting cannabis and cannabis-related products will have a maximum penalty of 14 years

If you are involved in a criminal organization (gang, mafia, terrorist group or other organized crime groups) then you are prohibited to enter Canada as well. 

5. Financial reasons 

For whatever purposes, you must prove your financial capability to support yourself and your dependent. The Canadian government won’t allow any person who appears as a burden or potential burden to enter Canada. Financial ability can be proved through your income from a job, investments or assets.

6. Violates the regulations under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA)

Failure to comply with the provision or providing information related to decisions made in accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) would also make you inadmissible. This applies to cases such as temporary residents who don’t respect the conditions of their stay, permanent residents don’t meet compulsory reside time and people who try to illegally enter Canada even though they have previously been deported. 

7. Have a family member who is inadmissible

Your admissibility would be refused if a member of your family is inadmissible.

A temporary resident permit may be granted to you with a $200 CAD processing fee. The possibility of granting the permit won’t be guaranteed and in case your permit is refused, the IRCC will not send it back to you. In order to avoid being refused to immigrate to Canada, you should consider information on IRCC or through an immigration lawyer about your case to check whether yours has common inadmissibility problems/reasons.