Frequently Asked Questions

The Canadian Business Class is a category of Canadian Immigration under which individuals with business/managerial experience and relatively high net-worth may qualify for a Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa. There are three sub-categories within the Business Class: Immigrant Investors, Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed Persons.

A PGWP is an open work permit available to international graduates from eligible Canadian educational institutions. It allows the holder to work for any employer anywhere in Canada.

A US Entry Waiver, which is sometimes referred to as an I-192 application or an “Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant,” is a document that allows a non-U.S. citizen temporary access into the United States. An I-192 Waiver is required if you have certain types of criminal offences on your record, such as possession, trafficking or theft.A US waiver is ideal for individuals who are looking to enter the United States on a temporary basis, generally for short visits of up to a few weeks, although longer stays can be permitted. Most applicants obtain a U.S. Waiver for personal vacations, although many also obtain a waiver for work purposes. It’s important to know that although the US Waiver can allow entrance into the United States for work reasons, this is limited to short-term trips - attending conferences, making deliveries, etc. The US Waiver does not allow a non-immigrant to work permanently in the United States.If you have ever been denied entry at the US border, you will be given a reason for your denial. Generally, the reason given is having a criminal record in Canada, but some are denied entry due to events that transpired at the border itself, i.e. attempting to transport illegal substances. It’s important to remember these details if you want to apply for a US Entry Waiver in the future, as they can certainly affect the application process.The actual, physical, US Entry Waiver is nothing more than a piece of paper detailing how long you are permitted entry into the United States, and on what grounds. You will also be given a smaller document to staple into your passport.

Often, employment and business opportunities are time sensitive and for that reason having a legal representative in Canada with expertise in the area of work permits is the most efficient way to proceed.It is important to note that, while an applicant's qualifications are supposed to be the determining factor in the success of a work permit application, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Officer's discretion can play a crucial role in the final outcome of each case. Under Canadian immigration regulations, IRCC Officers are given a great deal of discretion in the handling of work permit applications.

To apply for a US Entry Waiver you need to put together an application package demonstrating that you are now a law-abiding person who poses no risk to the country. A US Entry Waiver eliminates the risk associated with entering the US with a criminal record. Since the US authorities do not recognize Canadian pardons, it is essential that you obtain a waiver or risk loss of property or being detained in the US because of your record.The process of applying for a US Entry Waiver involves collecting supporting documentation, such as court information and proof of citizenship. You’ll have to be fingerprinted in order to receive a copy of your criminal record.You will also be required to compose a personal statement and get reference letters from people who can speak to your character. A doctor’s certificate may also be included as part of your application, depending on the nature of the offence on your criminal record. They will also want to know that you have employment or other income (such as self-employed or pension income).If you do not want to gather all of the documentation on your own, Pardon Services Canada processing specialists are experts in the US Entry Waiver application. In addition to collecting documentation, they will ensure that your application is complete and has the best possible chance of success.

Yes, you can travel to the USA with a criminal record. You may already be eligible or you may need to apply for a waiver. The US takes its border security very seriously. If you have been denied entry to the U.S. once because of a criminal record, you will be denied again. You risk having your car seized and may be detained in the US These same risks also apply to anyone you are travelling with. Even if you are pardoned in Canada, you can still face barriers in the US because of a criminal record.In order to eliminate the risks of entering the United States with a criminal record, you can apply for a US Entry Waiver. This document, provided by the Department of Homeland Security, overrides the personal discretion of border security officers. It is issued for a set period of time and allows you to cross the border into the US.In most cases a DUI, will not prevent travel to the US. There are some other offences that will not require a waiver. If you are considering entering the US with a criminal record, contact us for a free consultation.There are many reasons you may choose to travel to the U.S., including business, work and vacation. Not being able to make these trips because of an old criminal conviction is not only harmful to your working life, but it’s also embarrassing. You can take steps to get an entry waiver that will ensure you can go cross without worry.

You may be able to travel to Canada with a criminal record with a minor offence as long as it is not DUI. However, for many offences, the government of Canada may consider you to be “criminally inadmissible” if you try to come into the country with a criminal record. If you have a conviction for theft, dangerous driving, drug possession or any number of other crimes, you may be inadmissible.However, there are ways to overcome this inadmissibility. If you have applied for criminal rehabilitation, or it has been long enough since the offence occurred that you are deemed rehabilitated, an immigration officer may let you into the country. You can only be deemed rehabilitated if the equivalent offence in Canada carries a prison term of less than 10 years.You may also apply for a Temporary Resident Permit. This gives you authorization to stay in Canada for a specific period of time, despite your inadmissibility. In order to get a TRP, you have to offer a compelling reason to be in Canada. An immigration officer will also have to determine that your presence outweighs any risks to Canadians or Canadian society.Finally, you can get a Record Suspension from the Parole Board of Canada. This is also called a pardon. This does not erase the criminal record in your home country, but it does overcome inadmissibility for the purpose of entry into Canada. If you have received a pardon in your home country, you can check with your local visa office to see if this pardon is also recognized by Canadian authorities.If you need to do business in Canada or maintain relationships with close family in the country, you don’t want an old criminal conviction to be a barrier to entry. Learn more about the option of criminal rehabilitation or record suspension to put your mind at ease.

It takes roughly a year to get a US Entry Waiver. Without one, a criminal record can be a barrier to travel to the US from Canada. A US Entry Waiver eliminates that barrier by providing approval to enter the country.The process of getting an entry waiver is quite lengthy. It can take eight to 18 months from start to finish. The applicant must provide extensive documentation, such as proof of citizenship, court documents, and possibly reference letters and personal statements.Despite the burdensome process, getting an entry waiver is essential to ensuring you can travel to the US Even if you don’t plan to land in the US for your next vacation, you may travel through the country during a layover. A future job may require you to make business trips to the US, and you don’t want to get caught in an embarrassing or risky situation because of an old criminal conviction.US Entry Waivers are given for a period of one to five years, and may be renewed. We can assist you with the process to make sure it’s done correctly and gives you the best chance of approval.