Snoop Dogg has been granted a visa to come to Australia for a concert tour, announced the immigration department on Friday (Sept. 12).

According to the Associated Press, the department had expressed earlier concerns about Snoop's criminal record, but after a full character assessment, which took into account three Australian visits without incident, lifted the ban.

"In making this decision, the department weighed his criminal convictions against his previous behavior while in Australia, recent conduct -- including charity work -- and any likely risk to the Australian community," the immigration department said in a statement. "We took into account all relevant factors and, on balance, the department decided to grant the visa."

It is unclear whether Russell Crowe, who wrote a letter to Australian authorities [click to read] in support of Snoop, had an effect on the decision. Regardless, Snoop Dogg will join Ice Cube and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony for an Australian tour in October.

The rapper visited Australia in 1998, 2006 and 2007 without incident, but failed to pass character requirements for a visa application last May after pleading no contest to gun and drug charges in the United States.