Most Canadians who have a criminal record face the problem of visiting United States legally  due to their criminal history.  This could even apply to individuals who have had their criminal record sealedor pardoned. In order to enter the United States legally a visitor must apply for a U.S. Entry Waiver. When crossing the United States border, travelers face common questions at the border such as “Where do you live?”,“What is the purpose of your visit?”, and “how long are you staying?” Apart from these questions, a United States official may check your criminal history.  If this occurs and you have a criminal history many more questions will ensue.  There is also a very strong possibility of being detained and possibly arrested.

A U.S. Waiver permits Canadian citizens temporary entry into the United States.  The entry could range from one year to unlimited entry to the United States. In most cases a U.S. Waivers must be renewed. It only permits an individual to visit the U.S. for the specified time period. U.S.Waivers can be used numerous times up to the date that they expire.

The US Entry Waiver Application Process

The U.S. Entry Waiver Application is specific to each individual and requires not only the approved documents outlined by the Department of Homeland Security, but also “Court Informations” and other supporting documents.

Documents required

You will need to submit various documents such as Birth Certificate, Canadian Citizenship Card, Driver’s Licence and /or Passport.