Are you looking to come to Canada, but you know you will be turned away at the Port-of-Entry because you have a past criminal conviction? The answer to your problem will likely be to apply for a Temporary Resident Permit, which is a document that allows you to come to Canada if you have been previously convicted of a criminal offence. You may also be eligible for Criminal Rehabilitation.
Given that a Temporary Resident Permit allows you to overcome your criminal inadmissibility and enter Canada, this Permit is issued with care and after careful consideration of your application. In some instances, you may even be called for an interview with an immigration officer before a determination is made on your application.
Have You Been Called For An Interview As A Result Of Your Temporary Resident Permit Application?
When you apply for a Temporary Resident Permit, the immigration officer will look at your application thoroughly and cautiously. This is because being granted a Temporary Resident Permit offers the Permit Holder certain privileges and opportunities that are not offered to Visitors and Students who are in Canada on a Temporary Status. For example, Permit Holders can apply inland for a Work or Study Permit and they may be given access to health and social services. Additionally, if a Permit Holder remains in Canada continuously for the time period specified on the Temporary Resident Permit and they do not become inadmissible on other grounds, they will be granted Permanent Resident status. For these reasons, an application for a Temporary Resident Permit is not taken lightly.
When assessing your application for a Temporary Resident Permit, an immigration officer may feel the need to interview you before they make a determination on your application. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, officers may interview you as part of the enforcement, selection, and/or counseling process.
An interview will give the immigration officer the opportunity to do the following:
- It will provide the officer with any information regarding any possible inadmissibility or violation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
- It will allow the officer to assess your credibility
- It will allow the officer to confirm facts related to need and risk
- It will allow the officer the opportunity to communicate any concerns with you
An interview is not a mandatory step in an application for a Temporary Resident Permit. An interview may not serve any useful purpose in the following circumstances:
- The officer is sure you are eligible for a Temporary Resident Permit
- You are credible
- You don’t represent a risk to Canadian Society
If you satisfy all of the above factors, there will be no need for an interview. However, if the officer is uncertain about either of the last two above factors, then they will likely schedule you for an interview.
At Akrami & Associates, our team of legal professionals has the knowledge, skills, expertise and experience to help you with any admissibility you may face. If you are criminally inadmissible, we have the expertise to assist you with your Temporary Resident Permit application and your Criminal Rehabilitation application.