Canadian passports are in huge demand with forgers and international criminals for a reason. History of foreign aid and peacekeeping, a good perception of Canadians and a record of good international relations offers Canadian passport holders simple entry into other countries than any other passport worldwide. The good news is that the federal government is continually improving security precautions around passports to discourage misuse.
Prior to leaving, travelers will have to speak with the embassies, offices and consulates that represent whatever country they wish to visit to get an understanding of their entry restrictions. Newer passports have a warning and integrated circuits to use your passport as an electric device. However, even with a legitimate Canadian passport, you are still not guaranteed you will be able to get into the country. This is especially true if you have a criminal record and haven’t used any pardons Canada services.
Most people don’t consider how their criminal record will affect their chances of traveling or moving to another country, particularly the United States, once they put the incident behind them. It could be near impossible to get into the US if you are a Canadian with a criminal record depending on the crime you committed and if you even qualify for a Canadian pardon. But, there are a few things you can do if you are likely to be denied entry into the United States.
Crimes That Matter
In theory, there are only specific crimes that would get you denied from entering the US. But, some sources state that since the US Customs and Border Patrol agents carry on some decision making themselves, they can decide who they allow through, therefore, people with criminal records risk getting denied entry. This is including those who had charges dropped or were acquitted and that is the only thing detailed on their file.
Apply for a Waiver
Canadians who have already been denied entry into the United States or believe they will be can fill out an application for a temporary waiver of inadmissibility. It could take up to a year for this process to go through and costs over $500 regardless of the outcome.
If you have a criminal record and are looking to enter the US and you don’t have a visa, you will need to discuss your situation with a person from your local American consulate. They will be able to suggest a waiver as your first step. You will have to apply for it at either a Preclearance office inside Canada or a border crossing.
There is a basic list of documents that you will need, however, you should really check with your local Preclearance office to be certain you have exactly the specific documents you will need in addition to the list of documents below. Typically, the documents you will need include:
- A completed and signed Form l-192 (original copy)
- A United States Fingerprint chart FD-258 ( you will fill this out later)
- A G-325 (completed)
- A copy of all police records
- Proof of Canadian citizenship
- Your state of purpose explaining why you want to enter the US
- Official court record of all crimes you’ve been indicted of
- Your signed statement written out in your own words that explains the situation of your crimes and what types of rehabilitation you have gone through, if any (counseling, restitution, community service and so forth)
Canadian Pardons
With the exception of some crimes, most Canadians are able to get their criminal records expunged or destroyed after a length of time which ranges from 5 months to 10 years. But, when it comes to the US Border Patrol, Canadian pardons can be tricky. If you have ever attempted to enter the United States before and you obtain a pardon, you should be okay, however it’s a good idea that you wait until your record is expunged before you try to enter the United States.
Another scenario is when you have been denied entry into the United States once before. In this case, you can only enter through the US waiver process. Your record still remains in US computer systems even if it’s been deleted in Canada and the US doesn’t recognize Canadian pardons.