Crossing the United States border can be a stressful experience for anyone. Now imagine if you have a criminal record haunting your past. Suddenly, crossing the border can go from stressful to impossible. Before you give up entirely, you need to figure out what your plan of action should be.
Have you been stopped at the border before? Or, are you concerned that you may be stopped at the border if you were to try and cross? If you answered yes to either of these questions, the good news is that you are aware of the issues you may potentially face.
Many Canadians are denied access to the United States every day. There can be several different reasons for this, as it is up to the border patrol to use their judgement in each individual case. However, the most common reasons for a Canadian citizen to be denied entry into the United States is if they have a criminal record or if they have overstayed or been deported from the United States in the past. If any of these situations have occurred, there are certain things that will need to be done before attempting to cross the border in the future.
If you have a criminal record, chances are that you will have to acquire a US Waiver or file an I-192 in order to enter into the country. This waiver allows a non-immigrant with a past or current criminal record the ability to enter into the United States temporarily. Without a US Waiver, you will likely be stopped or turned away at the border. It is crucial that you have this approved document in order to travel legally and without hassle. Keep in mind that a pardon within Canada is not enough to guarantee that you will be able to cross the border into another country. A US Waiver is essential when traveling into the United States!
Some of the biggest reasons for not having a US Waiver are: you don't know that you need one, or you think that you won't get caught without one. Neither of these are good options when it comes to crossing the border stress-free.
If you fall into the first category, educate yourself. Just because you don't know about the law, doesn't mean it won't apply to you. Ignorance is no excuse. Being unaware of the fact that you may need a US Waiver to enter the country does not count as a valid reason for not having one. You will not be allowed into the country simply because you didn't know about the need for a US Waiver. This is why it is so important to be aware of what you need before you try to cross the border. It is your own responsibility to find out what you need before you make travel plans. Don't let something from your past was suddenly keeping you from living your life. Be aware of the law and act accordingly.
For those of you who may fall into the second category, be smart. If you simply think that you won't get caught, think again! It is important that you don't simply skip out on the process of getting a US Waiver. It is a mandatory document for anyone that may be denied access to the country. Now, it may be possible that in the past you have crossed the border without incident, even with a criminal record. However, since 2009, all Canadian citizens have been required to show their passports whenever crossing into the United States. This means that the chances of the border patrol catching your criminal record is even higher than before. Do not simply hope that you will be able to skate by without incident. The result may be that your vehicle is confiscated, or that you receive jail time. It simply isn't worth the risk!
If you already have an approved US Waiver, remember that they don't last forever. Most US Waiver's need to be renewed every few years. They typically last between one and five years, so be sure to keep your documents up to date in order to cross the US border without incident.
So, what do you need to do in order to cross the border stress free?
The first thing you should do is contact the professionals. A professional and experienced company that deals with pardons and US Waiver applications can help you through the process of gaining access to the United States.
You may think that you can handle the application process on your own, but it is far more involved than you may initially think. Filing your own application can be a confusing and expensive process. If you file your application incorrectly, you will have spent the $585US on processing it, only for to be denied. The result is that you will have to re-file the US Waiver application all over again - and pay the processing fee for a second time.
When you are turned away at the US border, they typically will give you a package of information on what type of waiver you will need. However, the border patrol will mostly likely be unaware of your particular circumstances as well as any supporting documents that may also need to be filed along with your application. This can cause issues when filing for a US Waiver on your own.
Clearly, it is far better to turn to the professionals. They have experience dealing with these types of situations and will know how best to proceed. A professional service will ensure that your application is filed properly, with all of the necessary supporting documents. They will also make sure that your US Waiver evidence is presented in the best and most persuasive way possible.
If you have been stopped at the border, then you know what a stressful ordeal it can be. Be sure that you are educated about what you need to cross the border without incident, and turn a professional service in order to file your application properly.
Want to cross the border without the stress? Make sure that you have a US Waiver! Speak to one of the qualified and experienced members of US Waiver Pardon Canada today. If you are prepared before you cross the border, you won't be stopped again.
Jane Smith understands the frustration that being stopped at the border can cause. She received assistance from US Waiver Pardon Canada and was able to enter the United States legally with help from their skilled and knowledgeable staff.
