Hi all, just an update on my situation regarding processing ETA. I applied for CR at the Sydney, Australia office on 13 December 2024. Today, 23 May 2025 I have received an email stating that my application is now in queue for review. This office indicates a 6-12 month processing timeframe so hopefully I’m not far off, but who knows!
Criminal Rehabilitation Application Timeline
- Thread starter seanmm24
- Start date
We applied for PR from the US in December 2023, but didn't know my husband needed a CR (I thought he was deemed rehabilitated automatically). Submitted CR May 2024 when they said we were tentatively denied for PR unless he gets an approved CR. Just an update in GCKey about receiving documents, but nothing specifically about CR received or processing.
I tried this May 2025 to see if I could apply for PR on my own and sponsor my husband later, but IRCC said our applications can't be separated so I'm stuck waiting on his CR approval
Thank you all for the updates - this is the most comprehensive Canada rehabilitation application forum I could find!
I tried this May 2025 to see if I could apply for PR on my own and sponsor my husband later, but IRCC said our applications can't be separated so I'm stuck waiting on his CR approval
Thank you all for the updates - this is the most comprehensive Canada rehabilitation application forum I could find!
pooky73
Star Member
We applied for PR from the US in December 2023, but didn't know my husband needed a CR (I thought he was deemed rehabilitated automatically). Submitted CR May 2024 when they said we were tentatively denied for PR unless he gets an approved CR. Just an update in GCKey about receiving documents, but nothing specifically about CR received or processing.
I tried this May 2025 to see if I could apply for PR on my own and sponsor my husband later, but IRCC said our applications can't be separated so I'm stuck waiting on his CR approval
Thank you all for the updates - this is the most comprehensive Canada rehabilitation application forum I could find!
If you are the primary applicant, then technically you can change your spouse to non-accompanying in the application. However this wouldn't solve the problem since all dependence (whether accompanying or non-accompanying) have to be admissible to Canada in order for the primary applicant to be approved. So either way, you would need to wait for the CR. No way around that.
My case was similar. My husband was principal applicant and he has this criminal record that we didn’t now we needed to apply for CR. So we applied on Feb 2023 for PR and on July 2023 we applied for CR. The PR was approved after the CR got approved which took almost 18 months. The CR was approved on Dez 2024 and the PR was approved on Feb 2025. We already are in CanadaWe applied for PR from the US in December 2023, but didn't know my husband needed a CR (I thought he was deemed rehabilitated automatically). Submitted CR May 2024 when they said we were tentatively denied for PR unless he gets an approved CR. Just an update in GCKey about receiving documents, but nothing specifically about CR received or processing.
I tried this May 2025 to see if I could apply for PR on my own and sponsor my husband later, but IRCC said our applications can't be separated so I'm stuck waiting on his CR approval
Thank you all for the updates - this is the most comprehensive Canada rehabilitation application forum I could find!
Hi all, can everyone let me know please - is there a requirement to submit two passport photos with your application? I don’t recall it being on the checklist but now seeing information that they’re required. Thank you in advance for your advice.
pooky73
Star Member
I submitted a web form today to inquire about the estimated processing time for CR from Mexico City, which is where my husband’s applications were sent from the Dominican Republic. I will update this post if I get a response. (May 8th received AOR dated May 7th for CR, everything in Tracker updated to Complete on May 8th as well)
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Thank you for your response. What do you mean by everything was completed in the tracker? Do you mean a background in PR tracker? Thank you again
I applied for criminal rehabilitation in January 2023 in Mexico City. It's been more than 2.5 years and I've never received a response. Does anyone know where I can contact to get a response regarding my application?
I applied for criminal rehabilitation in January 2023 in Mexico City. It's been more than 2.5 years and I've never received a response. Does anyone know where I can contact to get a response regarding my application?
pooky73
Star Member
You should submit a web form.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/contact-ircc/web-form.html
pooky73
Star Member
Yw. Yes, I mean the PR Tracker.
Biometrics
Completed
As part of the process we may ask you to send us your fingerprints and photo. Read more about biometrics collection.
Medical exam
Completed
Not all applications require a medical exam. If you need a medical exam, IRCC will notify you what to do next. Medical exams for visitors, students and workers - Canada.ca.
Eligibility
Completed
Eligibility
What does Eligibility mean?
We’re making sure that you meet the requirements to be eligible for the spouse, partner or child class.
Background verification
Completed
Background verification
What does Background verification mean?
We're checking your background to make sure you are admissible to Canada.
Hi all,
I've read through this whole thread and it seems there is a pretty broad timeline for CR processing that depends on the year, office processing, and of course our own personal circumstances. I doubt I'll get much useful feedback on the timeline of my own but thought it worth asking and if all else fails then I'll at least be part of a community going through or that has gone through something similar. I'm kind of hoping I can calm my anxiety a bit on this whole thing.
Firstly, I didn't submit my CR very long ago and I know it can take a very long time. As a citizen of the US by birth, through a Canadian lawyer my application was submitted to the NYC office on September 4th of this year, 2025, (yes a few days ago) and receipt was acknowledged either the day it was received or the day afterwards. Based on this thread and many others I was actually very surprised to get acknowledgement that quick. Through my lawyer I got an electronic copy of acknowledgement that contained a file number and this message to start, but no processing time estimate unlike others I have seen:
This letter is to confirm that we have received your application for Rehabilitation including the required documents and fees. As such, your file was created in our case management system on 09/04/2025.
My CR was for serious criminality for several dismissed charges that alone would have been serious by their Canadian equivalents and two charges on a single conviction, one of which is also by itself serious from before the year 2000. All sentences and costs, etc. including 6 months jail, basically. and probation were completed in 2001. Those facts alone clearly would indicate the need for individual rehab and I could have done the package myself but here's where it gets tricky.
Upon advice from my lawyer earlier this year I got 1 of the 3 dismissed charges expunged, 2 others sealed(only measure available in that state) and the two charges resulting in conviction expunged (previously sealed almost 20 years ago). We believe that the dismissed charges would not have triggered inadmissibility at all because they were dropped charges (thrown out, not prosecuted, etc.). And we also believe that the expungement of the convictions does equal or exceed the Canadian Record Suspension and therefore should clear any admissibility issues that I would have previously had. Along with the full package and fees, just in case, the analysis was sent regarding the RS equivalency. In my previous home state, where all of this occurred, I do not have a criminal record at this point, technically, and everything has been 'deemed to not have occurred'. My state background check is clear and has been for years, somehow, and the FBI check has also been clear for at least two years and maybe more (again, not sure how).
So assuming for a minute that I have no criminal record, technically, and that IRCC agrees what is the likelihood of needing to wait over a year to get feedback to that effect, if anyone knows? If you made it all the way down here, thanks for reading and for any responses.
I'll, of course, update my timelines later but for now--
My timeline
CR submitted on or about Sept. 4, 2025 - Acknowledgement sent electronically through lawyer same or next day
Edit, goodness!! I jumped into the future. The date was actually this year, edit to change to 2025 above
I've read through this whole thread and it seems there is a pretty broad timeline for CR processing that depends on the year, office processing, and of course our own personal circumstances. I doubt I'll get much useful feedback on the timeline of my own but thought it worth asking and if all else fails then I'll at least be part of a community going through or that has gone through something similar. I'm kind of hoping I can calm my anxiety a bit on this whole thing.
Firstly, I didn't submit my CR very long ago and I know it can take a very long time. As a citizen of the US by birth, through a Canadian lawyer my application was submitted to the NYC office on September 4th of this year, 2025, (yes a few days ago) and receipt was acknowledged either the day it was received or the day afterwards. Based on this thread and many others I was actually very surprised to get acknowledgement that quick. Through my lawyer I got an electronic copy of acknowledgement that contained a file number and this message to start, but no processing time estimate unlike others I have seen:
This letter is to confirm that we have received your application for Rehabilitation including the required documents and fees. As such, your file was created in our case management system on 09/04/2025.
My CR was for serious criminality for several dismissed charges that alone would have been serious by their Canadian equivalents and two charges on a single conviction, one of which is also by itself serious from before the year 2000. All sentences and costs, etc. including 6 months jail, basically. and probation were completed in 2001. Those facts alone clearly would indicate the need for individual rehab and I could have done the package myself but here's where it gets tricky.
Upon advice from my lawyer earlier this year I got 1 of the 3 dismissed charges expunged, 2 others sealed(only measure available in that state) and the two charges resulting in conviction expunged (previously sealed almost 20 years ago). We believe that the dismissed charges would not have triggered inadmissibility at all because they were dropped charges (thrown out, not prosecuted, etc.). And we also believe that the expungement of the convictions does equal or exceed the Canadian Record Suspension and therefore should clear any admissibility issues that I would have previously had. Along with the full package and fees, just in case, the analysis was sent regarding the RS equivalency. In my previous home state, where all of this occurred, I do not have a criminal record at this point, technically, and everything has been 'deemed to not have occurred'. My state background check is clear and has been for years, somehow, and the FBI check has also been clear for at least two years and maybe more (again, not sure how).
So assuming for a minute that I have no criminal record, technically, and that IRCC agrees what is the likelihood of needing to wait over a year to get feedback to that effect, if anyone knows? If you made it all the way down here, thanks for reading and for any responses.
I'll, of course, update my timelines later but for now--
My timeline
CR submitted on or about Sept. 4, 2025 - Acknowledgement sent electronically through lawyer same or next day
Edit, goodness!! I jumped into the future. The date was actually this year, edit to change to 2025 above
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