Many people believe that if they have been charged for a criminal offence but not convicted, in other words if the charges were withdrawn, stayed, dismissed, absolute or conditional discharged, then they are still safe to travel. This is simply NOT true.
If you have been fingerprinted for a criminal offence, even if its been later withdrawn, the Americans can still see that you have been in trouble with the police and give you hassles at the border.
It is important to get a file destruction to remove your prints, photos, court and police information from public record in the event your criminal charges were withdrawn, stayed, dismissed, absolute or conditionally discharged. Then you will be safe to travel to the US without hassle or worry of being turned away.
If you are applying for a NEXUS pass you MUST also get a file destruction to avoid your application being rejected.
If you have been convicted of a criminal offence then you will need a Canada Pardon to remove your criminal record from public record and then you will be safe to travel without worry. However, if you have already been stopped by the Americans at the border and refused entry then you will need a US Entry Waiver to return to the US.
Here is an email we recieved today from a client who was questioned at the border and almost denied entry even though his criminal charges were withdrawn and dismissed:
“I was falsely charged back in March in London Ontario. The charges were later withdrawn but i was still held overnight, photographed and fingerprinted.”
“As i was entering the states yesterday i was given trouble at the border and questioned about my arrest and almost not let in even though the charges were withdrawn.”
“I’m a citizen of Lebanon and I need to renew my student visa in November and i don\’t want any of this to affect my chances at a new visa. I would like to know the procedure of your services, how it would benefit me and how fast this can happen.”
If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons and US Entry Waivers email us at info@pardons.org or call 1-877-929-6011.
Pardons Blog 