Why You Should Clear Your Criminal Record Before Applying for Permanent Residence or Citizenship in Canada

Kimia Moshiri
Jul 28
3 min read

In Canadian immigration law, having a criminal record does not always mean you're ineligible, but it could make things harder. Whether you’re applying for Permanent Residence (PR), Canadian Citizenship, or even a Temporary Resident Permit, your background will be under scrutiny.

Even if you’ve turned your life around or were never convicted, that history may still show up in criminal background checks and trigger serious delays, additional investigations, or outright refusals by immigration officers.

In this article, we explain why clearing your criminal record is important if you're planning to secure your future in Canada.

What Does IRCC See in a Background Check?

When you apply for any immigration status in Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) checks your criminal background, either by requesting an RCMP-certified criminal record check or by reviewing the information in your immigration file.

They are not just looking for criminal convictions. Officers can also see:

Charges that were later withdrawn or stayed
Absolute or conditional discharges
Peace bonds
Non-conviction police contact
Open court files
Active warrants or outstanding fines

This means that even if you were never convicted, your file could still be flagged for “criminality” or “good character” concerns, leading to delays or refusals unless your record has been formally cleared.

Record Suspension vs. Record Destruction: What’s the Difference?

Depending on your situation, you may need one of two main types of record clearance in Canada:

1. Record Suspension (Pardon)

This applies when you were convicted of a criminal offence. A record suspension seals your criminal record from the national police database (CPIC) and removes it from standard criminal background checks.

Once granted, you are no longer considered criminally inadmissible under most Canadian immigration programs.

2. File or Record Destruction

This is available if:

Your charges were withdrawn, dismissed, or stayed
You received an absolute or conditional discharge
You signed a peace bond
You were arrested but never charged

Even though there was no conviction, these records can still appear in local police files, vulnerable sector checks, and immigration security screenings.

File destruction involves formally requesting the removal of your fingerprints, photos, and police notes from all relevant databases (RCMP and local police). Once approved, your record is deleted.

Why Clear Your Record Before Applying for PR or Citizenship?

Here’s what we’ve seen in practice:

Clients applying for spousal sponsorships or Express Entry are asked to explain an old charge that was dropped years ago
Citizenship applications are delayed because the officer is reviewing “good character” concerns based on a peace bond
Refugee claimants or H&C applicants are questioned about past police contact, even where there was no conviction
Delays in open work permits, PR renewals, or travel documents due to pending fingerprint or court clearance

A criminal record, or even just past contact with police, doesn’t automatically make you ineligible, but it does increase your risk of refusal or delay.

In some cases, clearing your record ahead of time removes the issue entirely from your immigration application.

How Long Does It Take to Clear a Record?

Clearance Type	Average Processing Time (2025)
Record Suspension (Pardon)	6 to 12 months after application
File Destruction (Discharge/Withdrawn)	3 to 6 months (varies by police service)
RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check	1–2 weeks (if fingerprints required)

Timelines vary depending on the court, the police service, and how long ago the offence occurred. You should start as early as possible, especially if you plan to submit an immigration or citizenship application soon.

How We Can Assist

At our office, we offer comprehensive services to help you clear your record and move forward with confidence.

With over 7 years of experience in immigration and background screening, we offer end-to-end support for clients who want to move forward with peace of mind:

✔️ Digital fingerprinting for RCMP-certified criminal record checks

✔️ Record suspension (pardon) applications, we prepare and submit your application from start to finish

✔️ File destruction requests for discharges, withdrawn charges, or non-conviction records

✔️ Legal insight on how your record could affect Permanent Residence or Canadian Citizenship

Our office is led by a licensed immigration consultant with years of experience representing clients before IRCC and the Immigration and Refugee Board. We understand exactly how criminal records are reviewed in immigration files, and how to avoid issues before they arise.

Whether you were convicted or never charged at all, clearing your criminal history before applying for PR or citizenship is one of the smartest steps you can take. It protects your application, gives you peace of mind, and helps avoid unnecessary delays.

If you're unsure what’s on your record, or whether you need to take action before applying for PR or citizenship, we’re here to guide you, discreetly, professionally, and with your future in mind.