Visiting Canada for the FIFA World Cup with a Criminal Record

Canada’s federal government has confirmed that standard border and visa rules will apply during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with no special entry exemptions for visitors who have a criminal record. This matters for thousands of fans planning trips to matches hosted in Canadian cities between June 11 and July 19, 2026 — especially those with past convictions who might assume the tournament brings looser screening.

Immigration and border officials will continue to make case-by-case decisions about admissibility. The key question for travelers is not whether the World Cup changes the rules, but whether their specific history aligns with Canada’s long-standing criminal inadmissibility laws. Analysis by VisaVerge.com notes the government’s stance aims to keep screening consistent even as demand for visas surges, with decisions resting on offense type, time since conviction, and signs of rehabilitation rather than the event’s profile.

How Canada assesses criminal inadmissibility

The approach centers on a basic test used for years:

• If an act is an offense in the visitor’s home country and would also be an offense under Canadian law, it can render the traveler criminally inadmissible.
• Officers with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will weigh:
  • the number and nature of convictions
  • the stability of the person’s life
  • the time since the event
  • whether the person’s behavior shows sustained change

Some offenses carry heavier consequences than others. Serious crimes that could bring a maximum sentence of 10 years or more under Canadian law generally require special permission to enter. Older and less serious offenses may be viewed differently if the traveler can show steady work, family ties, and a long period without further trouble.

There is no automatic bar for every conviction — but there is also no World Cup pass.

Serious vs. less serious offenses

• Serious criminality (often includes assault in certain forms, and drug trafficking):
  • Typically linked to Canadian statutes with high maximum penalties (often 10+ years)
  • Usually requires special permission to enter
• Less serious, older convictions:
  • May not prevent entry if the traveler shows the incident is in the past and there has been no further offending
  • Assessment depends on the Canadian legal equivalent, the sentence imposed, and time elapsed since completion of all penalties (including probation and fines)

Bottom line: the label on the offense at home matters less than how it maps to the Canadian Criminal Code and the government’s admissibility framework.

Pathways to enter despite inadmissibility

If someone is otherwise inadmissible, several established routes may allow a visit tied to a clear purpose (such as attending a World Cup match):

1. Deemed rehabilitation
   • Possible only if the Canadian maximum sentence for the offense is less than 10 years
   • Requires that enough time has passed and the traveler’s conduct shows improvement
2. Formal criminal rehabilitation application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
   • Requires full disclosure of the offense and evidence of change
   • Can remove inadmissibility on a permanent basis once granted
3. Record suspension (formerly a pardon) from the person’s home jurisdiction
   • May satisfy Canadian concerns depending on the underlying offense and documentation
4. Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)
   • Time-limited entry for a specific reason when the individual’s need to travel outweighs the continued risk

Temporary Resident Permit (TRP): practical considerations

• A TRP is discretionary and requires:
  • a compelling reason for travel
  • detailed paperwork
  • a risk-limiting plan for the visit
• Useful supporting evidence:
  • Pre-purchased match tickets
  • Fixed dates and short itineraries
  • Accommodation bookings
  • Proof of ties to the home country (job letter, family, lease/mortgage)
• Expect higher scrutiny and longer processing times during the World Cup surge.
• IRCC guidance and application instructions are available at: Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) for inadmissibility

Visa and travel authorization requirements (separate from admissibility)

• Visitors will need either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) depending on nationality — this is separate from any criminal admissibility decision.
• eTA (for many visa-exempt passport holders):
  • Linked electronically to the passport
  • Typically processed quickly online
  • Official info: Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
• TRV (for visa-required travelers):
  • Must apply online, submit forms, and provide biometrics where required
  • Full instructions: Apply for a visitor visa (TRV)

Note: authorization to travel (eTA/TRV) and criminal admissibility are different parts of the process — both must be satisfied.

Timing, processing, and fees

• Typical online visitor visa processing: 20 to 40 days, excluding biometrics scheduling.
• Biometrics can add two to four weeks when required.
• IRCC warns that the World Cup surge could extend timelines.
• Sector advice for those with admissibility issues: file six to twelve months before travel.
• Biometrics fee: CAD $85 (in addition to the CAD $100 visitor visa fee).
• Completing biometrics early at a Visa Application Centre reduces avoidable delays.

Full and honest disclosure: a critical requirement

• Travel authorization applications ask about criminal history; failure to disclose any conviction can be grounds for refusal for misrepresentation.
• Consequences of misrepresentation:
  • multi-year bans from Canada
  • long-term doubts on future applications to other countries
• A visa or eTA is not a final entry guarantee.
• To ease the counter process, travelers should carry:
  • court records and proof of sentence completion
  • documents showing steady employment and family commitments
  • confirmations of match tickets, hotel bookings, and return plans

How home-country offenses are mapped to Canadian law

• The assessment compares the home-country offense to Canadian statutes by type and maximum penalty.
• If the Canadian equivalent carries a possible sentence of 10 years or more, that usually places the person in the serious criminality category.
  • Deemed rehabilitation is then off-limits and special permission is required.
• If the maximum penalty is under that threshold, deemed rehabilitation may be possible after sufficient time and circumstances.
• Official criteria and steps are detailed here: Overcome criminal convictions – Inadmissibility

What happens at the border during the World Cup

• Frontline officers retain the discretion to refuse entry at airports and land crossings, even with an approved visa or eTA.
• Visitors should expect:
  • questions about the purpose and length of the trip
  • requests for match tickets and hotel bookings
  • proof of ties back home (employer letter, return dates)
• TRP holders will face checks consistent with any conditions attached to the permit.
• The goal is consistent application of rules rather than tournament-specific leniency.

Operational context and practical tips

• Canada has invested in biometrics and information-sharing to spot risks earlier.
• Best strategy for fans with a criminal record:
  • address admissibility early rather than hope for lighter checks during a busy event
  • use an IRCC online account to upload police certificates, court dispositions, and support letters
• While there is no dedicated World Cup processing stream, faster online workflows for routine cases free officer time for complex files like rehabilitation or TRP linked to match dates.

eTA vs. TRV — why nationality matters

• eTA travelers often receive quick approvals; an eTA is typically valid for up to five years or until the passport expires.
• Visa-required travelers (TRV) face higher documentation requirements and longer queues.
• Those planning to follow a team across multiple Canadian host cities should build in extra time for TRV processing.
• Official visitor guidance: Visit Canada: How to apply

Practical scenarios and final advice

• A person with a single, dated conviction that Canadian law treats as less than serious may clear the border via deemed rehabilitation or a straightforward eTA if eligible.
• A traveler with a more serious record may still attend if they can show compelling reasons tied to specific fixtures and submit a strong TRP well in advance.
• Time is tight: stadium seats are finite, flights will fill, and delays from missing documents or last-minute disclosures could push a case beyond tournament dates.

Key reminders:
– Last-minute arrests or new charges before travel can alter admissibility up to the moment of entry.
– If circumstances change, consult an immigration professional and reassess whether a TRP or rehabilitation application now makes sense.
– The government has not promised tournament-related flexibility. Existing pathways cover most cases given enough lead time.

Closing takeaway and official resources

VisaVerge.com and immigration professionals recommend this practical sequence:

1. Check whether you need an eTA or TRV.
2. Address any admissibility issue early (deemed rehabilitation, formal rehabilitation, record suspension, or TRP).
3. Gather court records, police certificates, proof of employment, and supporting documents months ahead.

Canada’s official websites remain the primary source for updates and procedures. Review:
– Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
– Visit Canada: How to apply
– Overcome criminal convictions – Inadmissibility

Final rule from authorities: start early, tell the truth, and bring proof that the past is behind you — that’s how fans will turn a ticket into a trip.