US Entry Waivers are necessary for many criminal offences. Pardon Services Canada has received several calls from Canadians saying that they are being given wrong information by another pardons company.
Anyone who needs a waiver to cross the border will still require a waiver if they get a Record Suspension. Unfortunately, we have received reports that another pardon company is telling Canadians that they only need a pardon or Record Suspension to cross the border.
The reality is the US government does not recognize Canadian pardons or Record Suspensions.
Why US Entry Waivers are required
US Customs and Border Protection gets up-to-date information from CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre). This is a huge database of information related to police records. When you receive a Record Suspension, your record is removed from the database. Most local police stations in Canada will also comply with the Record Suspension and remove your record from their systems.
The US government on the other hand, has no legislative reason to remove your record. Therefore, they will not update their database. Even if you bring your pardon or Record Suspension with you to the border, they will not consider it.
Choosing the right US Waivers and pardons company
Attempting to cross the border while inadmissible should be taken seriously. At the very least you will face being turned back. This will cause you to lose any money you spent on your trip and may cause embarrassment in front of your travel companions.
Border guards could detain you for hours, asking questions and searching your vehicle and belongings. Recent reports suggest they are even searching phones and laptops.
If you try to cross the border without a Waiver after being denied entry you could be banned from the United States for several years. You could even be banned for life. Your travelling companions could also be barred, even if they did not know about your record. They would then need to apply for US Entry Waivers.
It’s important to choose a pardon company that has the skills and experience to provide you with credible information about US Entry Waivers. First, look for companies with a long track record. Secondly, look at reviews from other clients. Also look for certifications, such as RCMP certification and a solid Better Business Bureau rating.
Don’t take a chance with companies that try to mislead you about the law. If you have been deemed inadmissible, or have an offence on your record that would cause you to be denied entry, you cannot solve the problem with a pardon or Record Suspension. You need a US Waiver application.
Pardon Services Canada has been assisting Canadians with US Entry Waivers since 1989. If you require assistance with your US Waiver, please contact us for a free consultation at 1-866-972-7366.
Here is up-to-date information from the Parole Board of Canada about fraud:
- Before using the services of any company, the PBC recommends that you check them out with your local Better Business Bureau (BBB):
- Third-party companies can only prepare your application for you, they are not involved in the actual decision-making process and cannot influence a decision on your application in any way.Claims that suggest otherwise are FALSE and MISLEADING.
- Third-party companies that use similar symbols and markings to the Government of Canada’s on their websites or in their marketing material are not affiliated with the PBC in any way.The PBC considers the following types of usage confusing and misleading to applicants:
- misused stylized Canadian Flag
- misused Canada wordmark with the Flag icon removed
- misused maple leaf icon and the words ‘Parole Board of Canada’
- The Parole Board of Canada has one official website.The PBC’s website is located at www.canada.ca/en/parole-board. It can also be accessed at www.recordsuspension.gc.ca.Any other website that uses “Parole Board of Canada” in its name and/or domain name or Government of Canada symbols is fraudulent and should be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) at1-888-495-8501 (toll-free), or at
info@antifraudcentre.ca.
Examples of fraudulent websites:
- www.paroleboardofcanada.com
- www.pardonsandwaivers.com
- The Parole Board of Canada does not endorse any third-party companies that prepare record suspension applications on behalf of an applicant.Any companies or websites that suggest otherwise are misleading and/or fraudulent.Before using the services of any company, the PBC recommends that you check them out with your local Better Business Bureau (BBB):
- Using a third-party company to prepare your record suspension application for you WILL NOT:
- guarantee you a record suspension,
- accelerate the review of your application by the PBC, or
- convey a special status on your application.
Claims that suggest this are FALSE and MISLEADING.
The PBC treats all applications the same.