Can a permanent resident with a felony apply for citizenship?
Asked by: Domenica Lemke | Last update: November 8, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (42 votes)
For example, if you have been convicted of an aggravated felony, you may be permanently barred from applying for citizenship. In other cases, you may need to wait five years to restart your “good moral character” period before you qualify to apply before USCIS.
Can I get my citizenship if I have a felony?
While there are temporary bars to US citizenship, there are also permanent bars that would prevent you from gaining US citizenship entirely. For example, if you were convicted of murder or an aggravated felony on or after November 29, 1990, you are not eligible to become a US citizen.
Can you become a Canadian citizen with a felony?
If you've never dealt with the process, it isn't obvious where to begin — or even whether you should try. Here's our definitive guide to clear things up so that you can start off right. Yes, you can become a Canadian citizen if you have a criminal record.
Can a permanent resident be denied citizenship?
If the LPR status was not lawfully obtained for any reason, regardless of whether there was any fraud or willful misrepresentation by the applicant, the applicant is ineligible for naturalization even if the applicant was admitted as an LPR and possesses a Permanent Resident Card (PRC) (Form I-551).
Does felony affect immigration status?
A conviction for an aggravated felony can lead to deportation without the possibility of multiple forms of relief, such as asylum or cancellation of removal. Controlled Substance Violations: Any conviction related to illegal drugs can have a direct impact on immigration status.
Citizenship Approved with Criminal Record: Permanent and Temporary Bars
Do felons lose their citizenship?
People who are US citizens do not lose their citizenship upon being convicted of a felony. They may lose some of the rights that come with citizenship (such as the right to vote), but the citizenship itself remains.
What felonies keep you out of Canada?
Almost all convictions (including DUI, DWI, reckless driving, negligent driving, misdemeanor drug possession, all felonies, shoplifting, theft, etc.) make a person inadmissible to Canada, regardless of how long ago they occurred.
Who Cannot apply for citizenship in Canada?
In general, a person cannot become a Canadian citizen if they are charged with, on trial for, or involved in an appeal for: an offence under the Citizenship Act, or. an indictable offence in Canada, or. an offence committed outside Canada that is equivalent to an indictable offence in Canada, or.
What disqualifies you from getting citizenship?
Crimes that can prevent you from becoming a U.S. citizen include aggravated felonies, murder, drug trafficking, prostitution, money laundering, and crimes involving moral turpitude.
How many years do Permanent Residents have to wait before applying for citizenship?
Have been a Permanent Resident for the past 5 years and have no special circumstances. NOTE: Over 90% of applicants fall into this category. Your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the past 3 years.
Why does Canada not allow felons?
Felons may be denied access to Canada if their criminal record is deemed a risk to Canada's safety and security. That said, entering Canada as a felon is still possible if you meet specific requirements. If you or someone you know is trying to enter Canada as a felon, this article is for you.
Can a Canadian felon get a passport?
If you have a criminal record, have no upcoming legal matters, have completed all sentencing, and are a Canadian citizen, you are probably eligible for a passport. However, having a passport does not mean you can travel freely with a criminal record.
How does Canada know if you have a felony?
Checks are completed in the RCMP 's Canadian Police Information Centre ( CPIC ) system. They consist of a check of the National Repository of Criminal Records based on a person's name and date of birth. It may also include searches of other national and local databases.
What is the 3 year rule for citizenship?
You must have your permanent resident status for 3 years before filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Your time as a permanent resident begins the day you were granted permanent resident status. You can find the date on your green card next to "Resident Since."
Can a felon get a passport after 7 years?
For some crimes like drug trafficking, a 5-10 year waiting period may be required before getting a passport. This allows for a “cooling off” period to elapse. Other felony convictions don't have defined waiting periods. But typically, the longer it's been since finishing your sentence, the better chances of approval.
Can I apply for citizenship with a dismissed felony?
The presence of a criminal record doesn't necessarily bar you from citizenship, it just makes the process harder. However, make sure you disclose any and all previous convictions on your N-400 form, even if your original criminal case was dismissed.
Can I become a citizen if I have a felony?
You will be permanently barred from obtaining U.S. citizenship if you have been convicted of murder or of an aggravated felony if the conviction was issued on or after November 29, 1990.
Who is permanently ineligible to citizenship?
A person permanently barred from obtaining US citizenship is inadmissible. This category of people primarily includes people who got out of military service based on their alienage, and people who left the US to avoid the draft.
Can a felon give up citizenship?
Is it possible to lose your citizenship due to a criminal conviction? In general, a person will not lose their citizenship if convicted of a crime after they are naturalized.
Can a permanent resident be denied citizenship Canada?
While a permanent resident, you
When an application for Canadian citizenship is refused, the applicant will receive a letter explaining the reasons for the refusal or denial. A refused applicant has 30 days to file an application for leave for judicial review.
How many years after PR can you apply for citizenship in Canada?
First, as a permanent resident, you must reside physically in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) before applying for citizenship. Your residency period will be calculated from your last five years of living in Canada before the date on your application.
Who can be denied citizenship?
Applicants who have already been naturalized, or who are statutorily barred from citizenship (most commonly due to a serious criminal conviction) under 8 U.S.C.
How long does a felony stay on your record in Canada?
How Long Does a Criminal Record Last? In Canada, criminal records can last a lifetime if you don't make a deliberate effort to seal them (by applying for a record suspension) or erase them (by applying for a record expungement). It doesn't matter how minor the offense was or if you didn't get charged.
What is considered a felony in Canada?
Offence Classifications in Canada:
Canadian law does not have misdemeanors and felonies. The system is based on three types of offences: Indictable, Hybrid and Summary (Including Super-Summary).
Can a convicted felon live in Canada?
Individuals convicted of indictable offenses are considered “inadmissible” under Canada's immigration law. Individuals deemed inadmissible are not allowed to enter Canada, but in extreme circumstances can be granted a temporary resident permit.