Canadian
officers assess U.S. convictions by matching the essential elements of
the U.S. offence to a Canadian offence (“criminal equivalency”). Labels like
“misdemeanor/felony” are not decisive—the Canadian equivalent and its
maximum penalty are.
Source: IRPA s.
36
Source: IRB
Legal Concepts (Equivalency)
When it
becomes “serious criminality”
A U.S. offence
may trigger serious criminality if the Canadian equivalent is punishable
by a maximum of 10 years or more.
Source: IRPA s.
36(1)(b)
Examples (U.S. → Canada) — common “10+ year” equivalents
Common U.S.
offence description (varies by state) | Typical
Canadian equivalent | Max penalty |
DUI/DWI/OUI
(alcohol or drugs) | Criminal Code s.
320.14 + punishment s. 320.19 | Up to 10
years |
Theft/larceny
over a high value | Criminal Code s.
334(a) (theft over $5,000) | Up to 10
years |
Assault with a
weapon / bodily harm | Criminal Code s.
267 | Up to 10
years |
Break &
enter into a dwelling | Criminal Code s.
348(1)(d) | Life |
Robbery | Criminal Code s.
344 | Life (in some cases) |
A document-based equivalency review can confirm whether your U.S.
offence maps to a 10+ year Canadian offence under IRPA s. 36(1).
Sources
(Article 1):
● IRB
Legal Concepts (Equivalency)
Frequently Asked Questions
It can. IRCC warns impaired
driving convictions may cause inadmissibility.
Source: IRCC
impaired driving
Not necessarily—Canada looks at the Canadian equivalent’s maximum penalty.
Source: IRPA s. 36
