On September 13, Lindsay Lohan abruptly cancelled her planned appearance at the annual Toronto International Film Festival. 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.
On September 13, Lindsay Lohan abruptly cancelled her planned appearance at the annual Toronto International Film Festival. According to New York Post, 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. A representative for the film’s producer maintains a stance that she was too “busy” to attend while Lohan’s representative has yet to respond to the reports. 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 criminal inadmissibility.
Although normally you cannot enter Canada if you are criminally inadmissible, you may be able to overcome your inadmissibility through rehabilitation, or receive a temporary resident permit.
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 because five have not passed, you may receive a temporary resident permit if you have a valid reason under specific circumstances to travel to Canada that is justified and you do not pose a risk due to your past criminal record.
You may also become admissible again if you receive a pardon or record suspension. In the U.S., many states may allow those charged with DUI conditional discharge, leaving no DUI conviction on their criminal record after completion of their probation. For specific information on whether your state offers conditional discharge programs, visit state conditional discharge programs.
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.
