Demystifying Eligibility Criteria for Record Suspension
There are many people living in Canada who do not yet have their Canadian Citizenship. Many have landed or permanent residence papers and are in the process of getting their citizenship which takes time.
If you are charged with a criminal offence or even fingerprinted by the police and the charge was later dismissed, stayed, peace bond, absolute or conditional discharge it could interfere with your ability to obtain your Canadian citizenship.
Here is a recent email from a client who was concerned that her criminal record will interfere with citizenship:
“My pardons file had been completed in 2011 and I had received a letter confirming the destruction of my criminal record. My record was just filling in a fine. While my file was in process, I had applied for and failed my citizenship test. Now that the pardons is clear, I applied again and recently passed the citizenship test. They said I passed and my oath will take about 3 months. They asked for the pardons letter and said the judge will review the file before sending my oath. Will this interfere with me getting my citizenship? Now there is no record of it and I have never entered the US. Please reply soon.”
Once a pardon/record suspension is granted you will be safe for your citizenship. Often, Immigration Canada wants to know that you have taken responsibility to get your criminal record removed so it is helpful to start the process as early as possible.
Pardons Canada undertakes all necessary steps and procedures for removing your criminal record, including: Pardons/Record Suspensions, Purges, Photograph & Fingerprint Destruction, and U.S. Entry Waivers.
