One of the most common questions we get asked is “am I safe to travel to the US with a criminal record?”. The answer is NO, you are not safe to travel to the US with a criminal record as the Americans have the right to deny you entry if you have a criminal record or if you have even been fingerprinted by the police and the charges were later withdrawn, dismissed, stayed, peace bond, diversion, absolute or conditional discharge.
The Americans don’t recognize absolute or conditional discharges they assume the worst when they see the criminal charge.
If you have been fingerprinted by the police it is important to take the steps to remove the prints from public record so that when you travel, the Americans will not see it.
If you have never been stopped by the Americans in the past, then once the prints are removed by way of file destruction, pardon or record suspension then you will be safe to travel.
You would only need a US Entry Waiver (I-194 and I-192) if you have been refused entry at the US due to your criminal record. A US Entry Waiver is complicated but it can be completed so that in the future you will have access to traveling in the US.
