Entering Canada with prior misdemeanor adjudication witihhel

Traveling on the Alaska ferry from Bellingham to Haines will have you driving back into Canada on your way to Haines Jct. and then back into the USA(Alaska) at the Yukon/Alaska border.

Call 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064

I've had actual experience with the frustration of getting permission to cross the Canadian border. In 2011, my partner started the process of contacting the Embassy in NY in preparation for our planned trip to Alaska the following year. No phone calls are accepted. She had been arrested when she was 21 and hanging out with the wrong people. One time only, minor offense reduced to misdemeanor, 40 years ago. The hoops she had to jump through included getting police reports from two states, FBI search report, fingerprints in two different methods for each state, local township police report showing she hadn't been in any trouble, $200 money order to be sent to Canadian Embassy with all forms, documents, fingerprints, reports, and copies of court findings. The fingerprints and police searches cost about another $200.

We kept waiting and waiting to get an answer before leaving for Alaska the next year. Nothing. No answer to emails or letters. We left anyway and had no trouble crossing the border either time. Lucky.

Two and a half years after we mailed the package to Canadian Embassy, she got a letter granting her permission to enter Canada from now on.

YMMV.

From what I know, if you have a CRIMINAL history, you will almost certainly be refused entry. However, if it shows that you have a MISDEMEANOR, then it is not automatic, but it is up to the discretion of the border agent. I think therefore for them to turn you back then, there would have to be another reason, swastikas on the side of your truck, etc. or you ticked off the agent, showed attitude etc. I dont think you will have any problem!

Yeah, I understand about them getting their infor from the US and having basically a computer record to go on. That's why I'm taking the immigration officers advice and having the a whole file of the documents with me in case the border officer needs to try to interpret anything.

I would have had the record expunged except tate here in Fl the record has to be a certain age (not sure exactly how old) but the incident with my wife occurred only in March of this year, plus I did not even think this incident could even remotely be an issue until I stumbled across some information on the internet almost by accident.

flybob63 wrote:


I just have to say that as a retired police officer who was on the scene of many illegal alien boat landings in Florida, that the fact that my wife and I, having no other issues in our past whatsoever, are even having to address this as an issue is absurd in my opinion. I understand, from reading Canada's website that they are interested in the security of Canada but I hardly think my wife and I pose a threat to their country.

Sorry to complain, but it really is how I feel about it.

I do hope this turns out well for you and your vacation is not impacted - and you are right - your wife and you are unlikely threats.

But what is almost always overlooked in these discussions is that the Canadian agent is not a judge - they get their information from the U.S. - that information is black and white. As angering as this is - it was - and is - in your own power to have the record expunged.

I live in a chunk of the world where much of the tourism dollar comes from the U.S. - and if a person is turned back (as they have been in the past) because of an old record then not only is a vacation ruined - but the benefits of that vacation do not materialize to the local economy. The lodges, resorts, outfitters and guides in this area really encourage vacationers coming to Canada to deal with old charges well in advance of their entry into the country.

I wish you the best of luck in your crossing - and trust you will have a great vacation.


Jay

Best to deal with embassy and get it taken care of. While the border guard can make an exception at their discretion, even if they let you through it is a one time deal. (There is a border crossing reality show here and that issue comes up a lot. After the one time exception, further entry is automatically denied) Since you intent to enter twice (to get back) they would probably refuse initial entry to avoid issues.

2KGeorgieBoy wrote:
If you do get into Canada from this end, what happens when you try to reenter from Alaska on your return?

Our plan is to travel down the west coast so she can fly from Anchorage down to Seattle if needed and I'll just shoot straight down as quick as I can with no sight-seeing in between.

If you do get into Canada from this end, what happens when you try to reenter from Alaska on your return?

Brynjolf wrote:


Whether the offense is illegal in Canada isn't material. The relative severity of the offense also has very little effect.

It's my understanding that the only thing that's material here is whether the offense is "illegal" in Canada. Or perhaps more properly stated as classified in Canada as one of many "crimes" for which a person will be denied entry.

Best example is probably DUI/other alcohol related offenses. Mostly misdemeanors here, but definitely in whatever the "felony" class is under Canadian codes; and automatically a reason for denial of entry.