Am I prohibited from visiting Canada?

Question

I'm a college student in America (US Citizen) and in April of this year I pled guilty to two misdemeanor counts stemming from an drinking incident, underage possession of alcohol and public intoxication. I've read that conviction of some types of crime, even if they were charges in America, automatically prohibits people from crossing the border. I plan on visiting Seattle in a few months over winter break and perhaps might visit Vancouver as well when I'm up there. Do Canadian authorites look up American criminal records for people walking over the border? Can they even access this information, since it's American records? And if they do look up records, would I be denied entry into Canada for these two relatively minor "crimes" (what I did isn't even considered a crime in Canada, as I am 19 and can legally drink in all provinces)?

Why does somebody ALWAYS have to go off on tangents on Yahoo Answers? It's called ANSWERS for a reason, so you can respectfully answer somebody's honest question, not respond with your own personal opinion. Just for clarification, it WAS a minor offense, I'm only guilty of it because I chose not to fight it and pled guilty for a very small fine instead. I wouldn't have even been arrested for my "crime" in Canada. I wasn't even breathalyzed or anything, the police officer approached me and stated the he smelled alcohol on me and since I'm underage, promptly arrested me. I'm not sure what constitutes "public intoxication" in your country, but I'm pretty sure people don't get arrested for it simply by just having the smell of alcohol on their breath. Also, I wasn't being loud, being beligerent, or making any kind of scene whatsoever, you can blame it all on an extremely overzealous cop and American legislators' ultra-draconian attitude to those that drink before reaching 21.

Also, to whoever said "It is waved if you were under 18 when you committed the offenses," I just wanted to point out that if you were convicted of a crime in the States before you turned 18, it is automatically sealed once you turn 18. Nobody in the government here, let alone some boder guards from Canada, can see if you've been convicted of a juvenile crime. And there's only one exception to that, and that's if you're enlisting in the US military, as the FBI runs a full background check on those planning on enlisting. Only the military and classified govt. positions can view that type of stuff.

Answer 1

Micmac has it right, Felonious charges can be a restriction, misdemeanors are not so much a concern. However, it should be noted that:

a. Yes, customs has access to US records.

b. Entry is at the discretion of the Customs Officer. As such dress simply, be polite and co-operative, most customs guys in Canada are pretty decent, I suspect you'd have a harder time with the US customs.

c. Have a great time when you visit.

As for the answer from DavidC, he is not quite correct but he does offer sound advice in regards to contacting a Canadian Consulate re: rules and options.

Answer 2

No. You are not allowed into Canada. After your charge is significantly stale and you don't have any other charges they will let you in. But that is after 5 to 10 years. As explained in my link. Yours is this year, so not even close.

Canada mostly cares if you have a criminal record, we don't care if it is a Felony or a Misdemeanor - those don't mean anything here. (Other than in the 10 year thing) But what they are checking of you is that you didn't follow the laws of your home country. It is possible some country's laws are found to be very unreasonable and you can get it waved. The same mentality could be used here, you visit and break Canadian laws - like say carrying a hand gun, and your argument would be it isn't a crime at home? And public intoxication could get you charged here too. And illegal possession - doubt it matters that the age is different. Sorry, this is starting to sound preachy, it isn't the intent, I am trying to show the principles and the regulations.

It is waved if you were under 18 when you committed the offenses.

Now "could" you make it in. Probably, but it is at the risk of getting caught and messing up future entry. Also if you travel to the boarder with friends and you don't get in, that would be embarrassing. They typically ask about criminal records and then focus on DUI's. If you lie and they catch you, it only gets worse.

So here are the links that you can verify the regulations for yourself.

Answer 3

Just to clarify. Canadian Immigration and Canada Border Services have the right to reject anyone from entering our country who has a criminal conviction. This is mainly for serious crimes, but they reserve the right to send you back for just about any conviction. Now if I was a border agent, I would probably let you in if that misdemeanor was the only blemish I saw on your record. But, if your court appearance is in two days, I may not let you into Canada until the issue has been resolved one way or the other. What I would try to do is at the court date, take full responsibility, but consider asking the judge if there was any way to clear that "mistake" that you made, such as if you do community service, they could expunge the misdemeanor from your records. If you explain that you have family in Canada and any conviction could result in you being ineligible for entry to the country. Since you say it happened at age 17, I would have thought that the juvenile records are sealed and not accessible by Canada Border Services anyway, but as I am not in customs, immigration, or law enforcement, I really cannot say for sure. Someone else posted the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website. You may want to consult that website for more answers. They have a whole section on Visitors to Canada, Am I Eligible? and Overcoming a Past Conviction. By the way, you posted this question three times within minutes of each other. Just a suggestion, but you may want to wait and see if someone answers and give them some time to come up with an answer before asking again. Patience is a virtue! ;-)

Answer 4

Public Intoxication Canada

Answer 5

First off you have a record so that means NO entry to Canada. It doesn't matter what you did but you broke the law. That means you can't abide by the laws of your country why would Canada believe you can abide by our laws?
First thing you should do is get in touch with the Canadian consulate and tell them what you would like to do. They will be able to tell you how you can come to Canada the right way.
If you get caught crossing the border you will be arrested and could spend some time in the local jail. Then you would have a hearing and most likely be told that you could never come back to Canada.
Remember ignorance is no excuse.

Do yourself a favour and make sure you come to Canada the right way and enjoy your trip as a free man and not one travelling in an enforcement vehicle.

Answer 6

Get a No Cost Background Check Scan at https://bitly.im/aOpTV

Its a sensible way to start. The site allows you to do a no cost scan simply to find out if any sort of data is in existence. A smaller analysis is done without cost. To get a detailed report its a modest payment.

You may not realize how many good reasons there are to try and find out more about the people around you. After all, whether you're talking about new friends, employees, doctors, caretakers for elderly family members, or even significant others, you, as a citizen, have a right to know whether the people you surround yourself with are who they say they are. This goes double in any situation that involves your children, which not only includes teachers and babysitters, but also scout masters, little league coaches and others. Bottom line, if you want to find out more about someone, you should perform a background check.

Answer 7

I am 99% sure you will be allowed entry. Felony charges are a different matter. To be sure, call ahead and you will be able to find out. Yes, Canadian authorities have access to American records but unless you have a real jerk, you shouldn't have a problem. Keep in mind that you may run into snow even in Vancouver that time of year and if you are walking, you can only hitchhike at the ramp exits and entrances.

Answer 8

I don't know officially if you are prohibited or not from entering my country but I sure hope so.
We don't need people like you if you still haven't learned your lesson and still consider public intoxication a minor crime and adding insult to injury, by mentionning that officially you can drink in all provinces.......
Stay home and sober up !

Answer 9

You'll probably clear customs without a problem. Unless you get pulled aside for secondary inspection and then they'll run your criminal history and you won't be allowed in. Give it a shot. It'll be an adventure.

Answer 10

I don't think you will have a problem.
Can you imagine them checking every person that crosses the border for their criminal record.