Traveling for Business with a Criminal Record
If you’re someone who travels frequently for business, a criminal record can seriously inhibit your ability to be a mobile and flexible worker. It adds unnecessary stress to your career, and may put you in a difficult position with your employer. Countless number of individuals entering Canada are caught off guard when their past criminal record, even the most minor and long out-dated conviction, makes them criminally inadmissible. Due to increasing security at the Canadian border, any past conviction can hinder an individual from entering the country, and at the complete discretion of the border security officer.
Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs)
Depending on the reasons for your inadmissibility, you may still be able to enter the country. Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs) are issued to people who have been previously denied entry (or who have not yet been denied entry but are still inadmissible) to Canada but can show a valid reason for their visit. The CBSA officer assesses TRP applications based on the seriousness of the offence, among other factors. If the criminal offense did not involve drugs (with the exception of simple marijuana/hashish possession), physical harm, violence or the damage to property it is considered a minor offense.
Benefits of a TRP
A TRP is a great opportunity if you’re looking to travel for an urgent business meeting, extended work-related travel, or simply do not have the time/are not eligible to prepare for a record suspension or criminal rehabilitation application due to urgent business travel needs. You can apply within the first 5 years after your sentence is complete, and the TRP can be eligible for up to 3 years with no reapplication.
Processing Times for TRPs
A Temporary Resident Permit can take up to one year to obtain due to processing times at the Canadian Visa offices and time required to obtain necessary documentation. However as of 2012, the Government of Canada amended its rules so that people with compelling or urgent circumstances seeking entry to Canada can be issued an urgent TRP as quickly as the date of your intended arrival at a Canadian port of entry.
Duration of TRPs
The duration of a TRP will vary depending on each person’s particular circumstances. It may range from a 24-hour pass to a 36-month permit, as well as a single to multiple entry pass. In some cases, applications may be rushed in order to obtain back-to-back permits for multiple visits covering a longer period of time.
Conclusion
Don’t let your career be the burden of your livelihood due to a criminal offense. Consider an urgent TRP so that you can travel for work as you need it, when you need it. Please contact Pardon Services Canada to find out if you are eligible.
