 |
|
|
Law Enforcement Services
|
|
Brian O'Keefe, Administrator • Biography
|
|
|
|
|
General Information:
Crime Information Bureau
Visiting Canada
Whether you plan on visiting Canada for a few
days or several months, you must meet some important immigration
requirements. This pamphlet will help you find out about these
requirements before you make final travel plans.
In order to visit Canada:
- you must be in good health, law-abiding and have enough money
to support yourself and your dependants during your stay;
- in most cases, you will need a valid passport, proof of
identity or other travel documents;
- you must have a temporary resident visa to travel to Canada if
you are a citizen of one of a number of countries;
- you may need a study or work permit if you are coming to study
or work.
Please read the following important information
if you have a criminal record or drunken driving conviction.
Persons who have been convicted of a criminal
offence in any country may be inadmissible to Canada as a result of
their criminal record. Even persons who do not require a Visa to
enter Canada may still be refused permission to enter Canada if they
are members of an inadmissible class.
INADMISSIBLE CLASSES:
Members of Inadmissible Classes include those who
have been convicted of minor offenses (including shoplifting, theft,
assault, dangerous driving, unauthorized possession of a firearm,
possession of illegal substances, etc.), or of indictable criminal
offenses (including assault with a deadly weapon, manslaughter,
etc.). As well, those who have been convicted of driving while
intoxicated (DWI) are considered Members of an Inadmissible Class.
Driving while under the influence of alcohol is regarded as an
extremely serious offense in Canada.
Those who have received traffic violations
including parking/speeding tickets, etc.) and other minor violations
(i.e. littering, etc.) most likely will not be prohibited from
entering Canada. Similarly, those who have juvenile convictions
(convictions for crimes committed while under age 18) most likely
will not be prohibited from entering Canada unless they could have
been tried as an adult for their offenses.
How does an Inadmissible person get into Canada?
Those who have been convicted of an offense
outside Canada, and have had 5 years elapse since the termination
of the custodial portion (if any) of the sentence imposed (not the
sentence served), may apply for a Minister's APPROVAL OF
REHABILITATION. The Minister's Approval will permanently remove the
inadmissibility caused by conviction.
Persons who committed criminal activity or were
convicted of criminal offenses outside Canada can apply for approval
of rehabilitation by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration if
five years have passed since the end of the criminal activity or the
completion of the sentence.
Persons who wish to enter Canada but are ineligible for approval of
rehabilitation because not enough time has passed can complete the
form and check "For Information Only". An immigration
officer will decide if a Temporary Resident/Minister's Permit for
temporary admission is warranted.
If less than 5 years have elapsed, or if persons
are only seeking entry to Canada for a single or limited period,
then they may apply for a TEMPORARY RESIDENT PERMIT.
Documentation that may be required is as follows:
- A statement from you indicating how often and for what purpose
you are likely to visit Canada in the future;
- A copy of the Court Judgment including the verdict and
sentence;
- A copy of the text of the law violated;
- Evidence of your rehabilitation. This may be in the form of 3
letters from parole boards, public officials, respected
citizens, clergymen, etc. (Note* letters from friends or
neighbors are NOT acceptable);
- Police certificates (FBI and state authority)
- A full written explanation in your own words concerning the
circumstances of the conviction(s);
- 3 recent identical passport photographs;
- A copy of the probation or parole officer's report on your
progress. If the terms of your probation restrict your travel,
please provide evidence that the court consents to your visit(s)
to Canada;
- A completed application (visitor visa form);
- If you have been ordered deported from Canada, full details
including the date and place at which the deportation was
ordered. If possible, forward a copy of the deportation order
with the completed application.
OBTAINING A POLICE CERTIFICATE:
- A Police Certificate, or certificate of "no criminal
record" is necessary for every applicant age 18 and older
who requires it.
- A Police Certificate is required from the state/country where
the applicant CURRENTLY lives, along with ALL other
states/countries where the applicant has resided in for 6 months
or more since age 18.
- The Police Certificate should be issued by a NATIONAL or
FEDERAL police agency where possible.
- All Police Certificates must have been issued within the last
SIX MONTHS.
- All Police Certificates MUST BE ORIGINALS. Photocopies will
NOT be accepted.
- All Police Certificates MUST be accompanied by an ORIGINAL
TRANSLATION prepared by an accredited translator if they are in
a language other than English or French.
FROM THE FBI:
Applicants requiring Police Certificates who are
currently present in the United States or who have stayed in the
U.S. for six months or more MUST obtain police clearance from the
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI).
STEP ONE - HAVE A FULL SET OF FINGERPRINTS TAKEN
BY A RECOGNIZED AGENCY:
- Fingerprints for U.S. record checks should be taken on the FBI
FINGERPRINT FORM. Do not contact any FBI office regarding
fingerprinting. A Fingerprint Form can be obtained by requesting
one by mail from the FBI at:
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS Division),
Attn: SCU, Mod. D-2,
1000 Custer Hollow Road,
Clarksburg, West Virginia, U.S.A., 26306.
- Fingerprints can usually be taken in the U.S. by a LOCAL
POLICE DEPARTMENT. Persons MAY also be fingerprinted at a
private organization engaged in the fingerprinting business. The
applicant should always specify when making a fingerprinting
request that it is required for Canadian immigration purposes.
- Applicants appearing for fingerprinting will also need PHOTO
IDENTIFICATION, such as a passport. They should also be prepared
to provide fingerprinting agents with details including full
name, maiden name, any aliases, date of birth, sex, race, social
security number, proof of identity, and the reason for
requesting fingerprinting (Canadian immigration purposes).
- A fee will usually be charged for fingerprinting. Fees vary
according to the location where the applicant is fingerprinted.
STEP TWO - SEND FINGERPRINTS ALONG WITH A PROCESSING FEE TO THE
FBI:
- A CERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER for U.S. $18 should be made
payable to "Treasury of the United States".
- Processing usually takes between 6 and 8 weeks. The FBI will
send the applicant the results of their check by RETURNING their
fingerprint card. THAT IS THE APPLICANT'S POLICE CERTIFICATE.
FROM WISCONSIN:
- Fingerprints for Wisconsin record checks should be taken on
the FBI FINGERPRINT FORM. A Fingerprint Form can be obtained by
requesting by mail from the Crime Information Bureau at:
Crime Information Bureau
Record Check Unit
P.O. Box 2688
Madison, WI 53701-2688
- The fingerprint card should be submitted along with a Single
Subject Request Form (DJ-LE-250). This form is available at
www.doj.state.wi.us.dles/cib/forms.
- A check or money order for $20 payable the CRIME INFORMATION
BUREAU.
- Processing usually takes between 6 and 8 weeks. CIB will send
the applicant the results of their check by RETURNING their
fingerprint card. THAT IS THE APPLICANT'S POLICE CERTIFICATE.
STEP THREE - SEND THE POLICE CERTIFICATE TO THE
CANADIAN VISA OFFICE PROCESSING YOUR APPLICATION.
- Include the completed REHABILITATION FORM along with the
appropriate processing fee. Check consulate website for current
fee in U.S. dollars.
NORMAL PROCESSING TIME FOR APPROVAL OF
REHABILITATION, TEMPORARY RESIDENT OR MINISTER’S PERMIT IS
APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 10 MONTHS.
For More Information Visit the Following Web Sites:
CANADIAN IMMIGRATION
www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp)
WISCONSIN CRIMINAL HISTORIES
www.doj.state.wi.us/dles/cib/crimback.asp
IMPORTING A FIREARM INTO CANADA
www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/customs/individuals/visitors-e.html
REHABILITATION FORM / TEMPORARY RESIDENT PERMIT / MINISTER’S
PERMIT OR CONSULATES WITH VISA OFFICES
www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/inadmissibility/conviction.asp
|
