Criminal Rehabilitation Application Timeline

[pooky73]

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, 2026 - Acknowledgement sent electronically through lawyer same or next day

I don’t have any idea but wish you luck. I would guess it will only take about 6 months or less, fingers crossed.

 

[Friedrich]

Thank you, hopefully so. I was told by the lawyer it would probably be 3-4 months but with some really odd exceptions I've not been seeing reports that fast.

To be fair, based on my late teen and young adult years 25ish years ago I would not have let me in back then either but a whole lot has changed since then, especially me, so while I don't think the actual approval should be an issue, I'm anxious on the timeline.

 

[Calgary girl]

Does anyone has any updates about their CR? Or PR?

 

[pooky73]

Does anyone has any updates about their CR? Or PR?

No updates. Submitted two web forms and no response for either beyond the generic responses. Applying for PR and CR GCMS notes next week. Next month I will talk to my MP. Then in December if we are still waiting we will apply for a TRP for my husband.

 

[Calgary girl]

No updates. Submitted two web forms and no response for either beyond the generic responses. Applying for PR and CR GCMS notes next week. Next month I will talk to my MP. Then in December if we are still waiting we will apply for a TRP for my husband.

What office is processing your application? We just received a message that it was placed in queue in Vancouver.

 

[pooky73]

What office is processing your application? We just received a message that it was placed in queue in Vancouver.

Mexico

 

[Calgary girl]

Mexico

Oh I see. You can receive CBSA notes faster than IRCC. They will have more information

 

[dollypolly11]

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!

Have you received your CR yet? I’m in similar position!!

 

[Traveller034]

Have you received your CR yet? I’m in similar position!!

No not yet. My application was received by Sydney in December 2024. When did you submit? And was it Sydney?

 

[dollypolly11]

No not yet. My application was received by Sydney in December 2024. When did you submit? And was it Sydney?

I submitted to Sydney in May 2025, then in October I received an email stating that my application was in queue for review.
Did you give dates of travel when you applied ? Or use a lawyer? Such a stressful process right!!!

 

[Traveller034]

I submitted to Sydney in May 2025, then in October I received an email stating that my application was in queue for review.
Did you give dates of travel when you applied ? Or use a lawyer? Such a stressful process right!!!

It’s definitely a lengthy process. No, didn’t give dates or use a lawyer. As mine is approaching the 12 month mark, I’m hoping I receive an outcome soon. I don’t know if they count the 6-12 month processing timeframe from when the application is submitted, or from when the acknowledgement letter is issued.

 

[dollypolly11]

It’s definitely a lengthy process. No, didn’t give dates or use a lawyer. As mine is approaching the 12 month mark, I’m hoping I receive an outcome soon. I don’t know if they count the 6-12 month processing timeframe from when the application is submitted, or from when the acknowledgement letter is issued.

From what I’ve been told it starts from when they actually recieve the application!

 

[Lisslessard]

Thank you, hopefully so. I was told by the lawyer it would probably be 3-4 months but with some really odd exceptions I've not been seeing reports that fast.

To be fair, based on my late teen and young adult years 25ish years ago I would not have let me in back then either but a whole lot has changed since then, especially me, so while I don't think the actual approval should be an issue, I'm anxious on the timeline.

Have you had any updates? My husband is in a similar situation, a pretty complex youth record and one charge months after he turned 18, but almost 20 years has passed now.

 

[Friedrich]

Have you had any updates? My husband is in a similar situation, a pretty complex youth record and one charge months after he turned 18, but almost 20 years has passed now.

Nothing heard so far, no response, no questions, nothing at all. I'm still hopeful that by the end of 2025 I'll have an answer back. If not I'll reach out to my lawyer and she'll either tell me to keep waiting patiently or try to follow-up with them. I really think this process is slow-walked for political reasons, unfortunately, to deter some folks from even applying and to provide cover by being able to say they did a lot of research on us with backgrounds. I believe they could be quicker if they wanted to but pretty sure they have no interest in doing so. It's frustrating, to say the least, but I believe it will be worth it in the end and for those of us who have truly straightened up I believe we'll continue being successful, even through this type of process. I may have to go for a temp. residency permit soon if I don't hear back in the next few weeks as I may have an opportunity that could require my presence shortly in Canada. Now that I'm in the queue for CR, having to push for any other approvals while I'm waiting is going to complicate things for me.

Good luck to your husband, unless it was one of those capital crimes I suspect he'll get approval eventually. When did he submit his application? Any pardons or expungements for charges where the crimes were originally comitted?

 

[Lisslessard]

Nothing heard so far, no response, no questions, nothing at all. I'm still hopeful that by the end of 2025 I'll have an answer back. If not I'll reach out to my lawyer and she'll either tell me to keep waiting patiently or try to follow-up with them. I really think this process is slow-walked for political reasons, unfortunately, to deter some folks from even applying and to provide cover by being able to say they did a lot of research on us with backgrounds. I believe they could be quicker if they wanted to but pretty sure they have no interest in doing so. It's frustrating, to say the least, but I believe it will be worth it in the end and for those of us who have truly straightened up I believe we'll continue being successful, even through this type of process. I may have to go for a temp. residency permit soon if I don't hear back in the next few weeks as I may have an opportunity that could require my presence shortly in Canada. Now that I'm in the queue for CR, having to push for any other approvals while I'm waiting is going to complicate things for me.

Good luck to your husband, unless it was one of those capital crimes I suspect he'll get approval eventually. When did he submit his application? Any pardons or expungements for charges where the crimes were originally comitted?

Definitely not capital crimes, but he did have a pretty hefty juvenile record with fairly egregious convictions, but they would have fallen under the YCJA in our lawyer's opinion. It will be up to IRCC to agree or not. The adult conviction was minor (verbal altercation resulting in a $300 fine as a sentence), but Canada considers harassment a hybrid charge and that is what made the border deem him inadmissible. His case might be more complex as well because his home state can't find very detailed records due to the age of the convictions. We didn't pursue expungement yet, but if for some reason he gets denied, we will try that avenue and reapply as we can afford it.

His is just being submitted now, so I'm more just looking at what a realistic, more recent, or optimistic timeline might be. Myself and our son are living here in Canada, so there is definitely a humanitarian and compassionate reason to get this processed in a timely manner, though I don't know if they ever factor that in in terms of prioritizing applications.

Thank you for the good luck, and I wish you good luck as well! Please keep me posted, I am hoping you get yours by the end of the year as well!