Travelling to the United States with a Criminal Record? Fast Facts

Information Canadian Criminal Record holders need to know if they want to travel to America.

            

Can I go to the U.S. if I have a Criminal Record or Police File?

• You CAN NOT enter the U.S. legally if you have a Criminal Record in Canada
• If you get checked at the U.S. border with a criminal record you will be denied entry.
• If you get denied entry you will be flagged every time you try and cross the border in the future

What do I do if I want to go to the U.S. and have a Canadian Criminal Record?

• You need to apply for a U.S. Entry Waiver, also known as a U.S. Travel Waiver.
• This document must be obtained from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, not the Canadian government

How long does a U.S. Waiver last? When Do U.S. Entry Waivers Expire?

• A U.S. Entry Waiver application can be approved for either one, two or five years.
• If you have ever been denied entry to the U.S. you will need this document every time you enter the U.S.

What happens when my U.S. waiver expires?

• You can re-apply for the U.S. Entry Waiver after it expires
• There is a possibility of getting a longer waiver on subsequent applications (e.g. going from a 1 year waiver to a 2 year, or even a 5 year on the second approved application)

How much does a U.S. waiver cost and how long does it take?

•  A Standard U.S. Waiver can be obtained for $49.50 a month (over 10 months) and takes up to a year.
•  A Premium U.S. Waiver can be obtained for $79.50 a month (over 10 months) and takes only 6 months.

      Where can I find additional information?

•  To talk to an expert in the field of U.S. Waivers call 1-8-NOW-PARDON
•  Send an email to info@pardonservicescanada.com
•  Visit the U.S. Entry Waiver Website
•  Fill out a quick, free, online request for more information - Here

Canadians Getting More Than They Bargained For Crossing U.S. Border

 With a rising Canadian Dollar and more Canadians flocking south for shopping bargains, the risk to Canadians with a criminal record increases. A quick trip for gas can turn into a lifetime of U.S. Entry Waivers.

Canadian spending in the U.S. was way up in 2010, according to a Visa report. Spending went up 18% from the previous year, capping at $9.2 Billion. Last year Canadians, among all other nationalities, were also the biggest spenders in the U.S. A strong Canadian Dollar backed by rebounding Canadian industry, weak investor confidence State side and high oil prices promises great deals for Canadians. The trend continued into 2011 as the dollar has been trading at 105 against its U.S. counterpart - up 5.4 points since January. This recent growth brings the dollar to a 3 ½ year high against its American counterpart.

As the shopping migration continues en masse, Canadians would do well to remember that if they have a criminal record it is a requirement of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that the traveler posses a U.S. Entry Waiver. U.S. Border Officials have been turning away more and more Canadians from the border as a quick check can uncover a past offence prompting a refusal of entry. 

On top of being denied entry at the border, any subsequent attempt to enter the U.S. from Canada is flagged and checked. The person caught trying to conceal their past or enter the U.S. without a waiver will be required to possess a U.S. Entry Waiver for the rest of their life.

More and more Canadians are getting caught in the tighter security blanket crossing the border to take advantage of great deals. Unfortunately, they are getting much more than they bargained for as a lifetime of U.S. Entry Waivers can result from one quick trip across for gas. The unfortunate thing is that for Canadians a criminal record check is quick and inexpensive. Canadians don’t need to be caught unsuspecting at the border.

*note: a Canadian Pardon will ensure that the U.S. government will not be able to see any previous criminal record 

Weeding Out the Criminal Record with a Pardon

“Maturity,” “sophistication,” “wisdom”: The adage youth is wasted on the young comes to mind when one realizes that maturity makes a person less innocent, after sophistication results from education, when wisdom yields good judgment and insight.

Here is the story of one Canadian having realized more fully the effect of using marijuana and the benefits of discontinuing the habit.

He was charged with his offence when he was just 19 years of age, in his first year of university. He was apprehended coming off the train with an amount of marijuana and some cookies. At the time, he used marijuana as a stress reducer but has since stopped.

Since his conviction, he has gone on to get his degree in computer science. After graduation, he started working as a technical support representative for a consulting company and was promoted to a technical lead position after just one year. About two years later, he moved to the Maritimes where he currently works as a software support representative.

A pardon has helped him to be able to apply to a broader scope of employment opportunities that previously were out of reach due to his criminal record. The background checks that potential employers might perform will now provide a clean slate with which he can move forward. His U.S. entry waiver will also allow him to travel freely to the U.S., which is required on occasion at his current job.

If you are in similar circumstances yourself, Contact Pardon Services Canada for help. You too can gain the wisdom that he most certainly has.

Sun of a Beach...Criminal Record Limits Travel

Canadians love to travel. This fact is reflected in the number of Canadians currently holding valid Canadian passports increasing to 60 percent from only 36 percent in 2005. Although the recession in 2008 kept many from travelling the way they would have liked, some choosing to pursue the “staycation” while the economy was sluggish, the number of people traveling has since rebounded.

During the 2010/2011 winter travel season, 10 percent more Canadians travelled to the US than the previous year, with Hawaii proving to be the one of the most attractive places. The US is a top destination for Canadians. In fact, several US locations are currently on the list of the top 25 beaches in the world for 2011. Unfortunately for some would be travelers, a Canadian criminal record limits your ability to travel to the US.

Travelling abroad has also seen a resurgence. In the winter, Canadians love the sun, choosing R & R on beaches and cruises. And during the other seasons, destinations like Mexico, Cuba, Britain, and China are increasingly popular. To take advantage of lower flight costs, a significant number of Canadian travelers are now going to the US for flights to US destinations and around the world.

Quite apparent is the position that the US holds in all these ventures. A predominance of travel is either to or through the US. What a shame it is that so many Canadians cannot even consider pursuing their dream vacations because they have a criminal record. Only through getting a pardon to remove that criminal record and receiving a waiver to gain entry into the US will that dream become a reality.

The Pardon Services Canada Guide To Choosing Your Pardon Specialist.

If you have a criminal record, you already know that it can prohibit you from doing certain things. Areas that are typically affected include work, travel, volunteering, education and even adoption! That is, until enough time passes so that you qualify to apply for a pardon.
The Canadian pardon process also known as a record suspension in Canada can be a very intimidating and a confusing experience for the average person. Questions like; ‘Where do I find information on the pardon process?’, ‘Do I qualify for a pardon?’, and ‘How does it take to get a pardon in Canada?’ all come to mind.
Unless you are a lawyer, most likely you will need some type of help preparing your application for the Parole Board of Canada in Ottawa. If you choose to take this on yourself – good luck! But please remember a few things.
• Different people require different pardon documents.
• Fingerprints are basic a requirement for every application – but there are two kinds!
• You need to complete the right document package – different documents need to be provided in full, and can vary from person to person.
• Every application is different. What is good for one pardon application may not be enough for another.
• A pardon application needs to be properly prepared and fully completed.

You can try to do it all yourself, but why would you chance having your pardon application returned because you forgot complete one very small but critical detail? Success or failure depends solely on how well your pardon application is prepared. If your application is returned, you must wait one full year to apply again.

While the prospect of asking for help does not appeal to everyone, there comes a time when you need to stack the deck in your own favor. It’s better to team up with a pardon specialist and give yourself the inside advantage.

So if you agree that you may need the help of a specialist, make sure that you team up with someone who has a successful track record, someone who can really guarantee that they can help you.

Ask these questions:

•How many years have you been obtaining pardons for your clients?
•What is your success rate?
•Will I be able to track the progress of my pardon application? Where and how?
•Do you have customer service agents available to answer my criminal record and pardon questions over the phone?
•Where is your office located?
•Do you have client testimonials or references?
•Will you keep me up-to-date on my pardon application as it progresses?
•How is my personal and private information handled?
•How can you guarantee my privacy?
•Why should I go with your company?

When it comes to clearing criminal records, Pardon Services Canada has been helping Canadians with confidential, fast and affordable service for over 20 years.
You can find out more information regarding your rights, and learn about easy steps to total freedom by visiting http://www.pardonservicescanada.com/. Pardon Services Canada can help you clear your good name.