Actors Denied Entry into Canada

When Wes Bentley, whose film includes American Beauty and The Hunger Games, attempted a trip to Toronto in 2012 to promote a movie during the International Film Festival, he was unable to enter Canada due to a four-year old conviction for heroin possession.

Entry to Canada may be a challenge to those with a record of criminal conviction, and celebrities are not immune from Canada’s strict immigration laws. Actors seeking to attend events and promote their films in Canada including Wes Bentley, DMX and Lindsay Lohan has previously been denied entry to Canada.

Both serious and minor crimes, including but not limited to “theft, assault, manslaughter, dangerous driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and possession of or trafficking in drugs or controlled substances,” may render an applicant or visitor “criminally inadmissible” under Canada’s Immigration and refugee Protection Act. If you want to know if you are criminally inadmissible, refer to inadmissibility.

Lindsay Lohan abruptly cancelled her planned appearance at the same annual Toronto International Film Festival September 2015. Lohan was scheduled to appear at Set nightclub in Toronto to promote her upcoming thriller film ‘Inconceivable,’ however the party was scrapped. Although sources close to the film say she was unable to attend at the last minute due to “scheduling conflicts,” rumors have sparked which suspect that she could not make it past Canada’s strict customs due to her past criminal record. Canada’s strict immigration laws may bar a visitor’s entry into Canada if there is a record of criminal conviction.

Lohan has been previously charged with drug possession, theft, DUI, violating probation and has spent time in jail.

It is difficult to enter Canada if you are criminally inadmissible, however, there are ways to overcome your inadmissibility. One way you can become admissible again is if you receive a pardon or record suspension.

DMX, an actor of several films and a rapper who sold more than 13 million albums and the first artist to have two No. 1 debuts on the Billboard 200 in the same year, was refused entry to Canada and detained overnight, and was forced to miss his performance at the Stampede in January 2003 and cancel his show in Saskatchewan. Although he had been granted a minister’s pardon for his previous criminal charges, he had a new charge two days prior to his departure. Some fans showed up at his concert not knowing that the show was cancelled and left disappointed.

By going through rehabilitation, you can start anew with a clean state. You are eligible to apply for rehabilitation if you have been convicted outside of Canada and five years have passed since the sentence was completed (including the payment of fines).

If more than 10 years have passed since the date a sentence was completed, you may be deemed rehabilitated for one indictable offence if the crime is punishable by a maximum prison term of less than 10 years in Canada. Two or more summary convictions may also be deemed rehabilitated after five years. For more information, refer to deemed rehabilitation. If you are unable to apply for rehabilitation, you may receive a temporary resident permit temporary resident permit, if you have a valid reason under specific circumstances to travel to Canada that is justified.

FWCanada is a Canadian Immigration Law Firm which provides expertise in immigration services such as Temporary Resident Permits, Criminal Rehabilitation, Study Permits and Work Permits. Marisa Feil and her team ensure that each case is closely evaluated to determine the most relevant program. For more information, contact FWCanada at 1-855-316-3555.