A National Non-Profit Organization for over 32 years.
There are many disadvantages associated with having a criminal record in Toronto. Not the least of these is how it can restrict your ability to travel. Toronto’s proximity to many attractions and destinations in the United States makes an occasional visit very appealing.
Some people are unaware that U.S. immigration officers can, and often do, ask for your identification to run a criminal record check. Once a criminal record is found, the individual has an FBI and Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) file created and their entry into the U.S. can and probably will be refused.
You may be wondering what might happen if you try to enter the U.S. with a criminal record and without acquiring a U.S. Entry Waiver. The truth is if you don’t already have a file with INS, and the immigration officer doesn’t perform a criminal record search, you may be allowed in without any difficulty. On the other hand, if your record is uncovered, you may be detained, questioned, fingerprinted and photographed. Your entry will most likely be refused.
If you are subsequently stopped again by a U.S. customs officer without a U.S. Entry Waiver, you will probably be treated more harshly: U.S. immigration is permitted to seize your property, you may be detained for several hours and even handcuffed. If you are traveling by plane, your ticket will be voided, and you will be unable to collect cancellation insurance.
Getting a Record Suspension or pardon will make travel to the U.S. and other destinations much easier. If you have received a Record Suspension, you will not require a U.S. Entry Waiver, as your criminal record will not be found by the U.S. customs officer.
However, there is a significant wait period and processing time involved with Record Suspensions. If you need to travel to the U.S. before your record can be suspended, you will need to get a U.S. Entry Waiver.
When applying for a U.S. Entry Waiver in Toronto, you are providing the details of your criminal record to the American Federal Government. Your fingerprints will be used for certification purposes by the US and the INS.
The INS approval of your U.S. Entry Waiver can take as long as 5 to 12 months and can be very subjective. Additional supporting documents must accompany your request. A better overall application package means better chances for approval.
The expert counselors at Pardons Canada can help you put together the best possible application for your particular case. Call us toll-free at 1-833-501-3339 Monday to Friday between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM.
No part of this website may be reproduced in any form, by any means, without written permission from Pardons Canada
Copyright 2025 Pardons Canada All rights reserved.