Here are some things about Canadian culture you may find interesting:
- Maple syrup, beer, poutine and bacon remain a part of the traditional Canadian diet.
- Haven’t heard of poutine? It is a dish originating from Quebec which is includes french fries, topped with a light brown gravy-like sauce and cheese curds.
- The Maple Leaf can be found on many things including the Canadian flag, hockey jerseys and our currency. It is one of the most commonly known symbols of Canada.
- Gone are the days of using $1 and $2 bills as they have become keepsakes of the past. Loonies have replaced one dollar bills and toonies took the place of two dollar bills.
- There are almost 200 species of fish in Canada’s fresh waters so lots of people come for the fishing.
- Canadians consider hockey their official winter sport. Attend a hockey game or watch at a local sports bar to become a part of the national craze.
If you have a criminal record there is a strong likelihood that you will be denied entry to Canada, even if you are American. Minor offences and DUIs on your record are enough to deny you entry. Issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs) are used to admit visitors with criminal records into Canada. In some cases, Criminal Rehabilitation is an alternative status you can achieve to enter Canada. Assistance with both of these types of applications is available from Pardon Services Canada.
As outlined by the requirements of Canada’s immigration law, if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may be “criminally inadmissible.” Crimes that will make you inadmissible to Canada include theft, assault and driving under the influence. You are deemed rehabilitated, or admissible, depending on many different factors, including the length of time since your conviction and the seriousness of the crime. In all cases, you are inadmissible if the crime has a prison term of more than 10 years if committed in Canada.
There are options for the criminally inadmissible: (1) Criminal Rehabilitation and (2) Temporary Resident Permits. You are deemed rehabilitated ten years since the completion of your sentence, but you can apply if five years have passed since completion of your sentence. A TRP can be applied for within the first five years since the completion of your sentence, and is granted depending on the validity or importance of your visit.
Fortunately, not every criminal record leads to inadmissibility. The general rule is that if you have only one conviction that is considered a Summary Conviction (similar to a misdemeanor in the US) and it did not involve any serious property damage, physical harm to a person or any type of weapon – you might be able to cross the border into Canada. However, we strongly recommend consulting with a specialist at Pardon Services Canada, as not every conviction that is considered minor offence in the USA, is considered minor in Canada. For example, you will be inadmissible to Canada with any type of alcohol related driving offence (DUI or impaired driving). Save yourself the embarrassment and inconvenience of being turned back at the border by being fully informed.
If you are interested to learn more, please call 1.8.NOW.PARDON or visit us at www.pardonservicescanada.com.