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Travelling to the United States for Year-End Holidays with a Criminal Record

by | Aug 2, 2022

Can You Travel to the USA if You Have a Criminal Record?

Non-US nationals looking to enter the United States for Christmas or New Year’s may have their plans dashed if they have a criminal record, even if their criminal record is from years ago or for a minor offence.

If you have a criminal record, you may:

  • Be denied entry into the United States
  • Be detained and questioned by Customs and Border Protection agents
  • Be subject to search and seizure at the border

Applying for a US Entry Waiver can take up to 4-8 months. Every case is looked at individually, so the time frames may vary. Starting the application process before your planned trip is essential to cross the border worry free. A US Entry Waiver application is a great option to consider in the near future if you wish to enter the United States for year-end holidays in 2023.

Entering the United States for year-end holidays in 2022 may be possible depending on a case-by-case basis. We recommend reaching out to a pardon service agent to help guide you through the timeline for your application.

What is a US Entry Waiver?

A US Entry Waiver allows those with criminal records to enter the United States for business or pleasure, despite their criminal history. A waiver may be granted for a length of 6 months to five years at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security. The length of the waiver may depend on factors such as:

The good news is that we are seeing an increased number of clients being granted five-year waivers on the first try. It is crucial to put together a convincing application preferably with the assistance of an experienced pardon agent.

Crimes That Would Make You Inadmissible to the USA

Not all Canadians with a criminal record will require a US Entry Waiver. While most criminal convictions provide sufficient grounds for a border official to deny you entry, your entry would entirely depend at the discretion of the US border official. If you were convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, you would immediately become inadmissible to the United States. If you are barred from the states due to a crime of moral turpitude, your best chance would be to apply for a US Entry Waiver. Some examples of crimes that are deemed an offence of moral turpitude are:

    • Fraud
    • Larceny
    • Counterfeiting
    • Arson
    • Murder
    • Robbery
    • Intent to harm persons or things.

Not sure if you qualify for a US Entry Waiver?

Start by checking your eligibility.

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How do I Apply for a US Entry Waiver?

Applying for a US Entry Waiver can be complicated and time-consuming, but it’s worth it if it means being able to spend Christmas or New Year in the United States with your loved ones.

It’s important to note that a US Entry Waiver is not the same as a pardon. A pardon is the official forgiveness of a crime that the government grants. A waiver allows you to bypass the inadmissibility rule and enter the United States.

If you are interested in applying for a US Entry Waiver, the first step is to reach out to a pardon service agent. If you are ready to get started on your application, we can help.

Contact us today for a free consultation at 1-866-972-7366