USC crossing border into canada w/ misdemeanor drug charge

[bluegreen 0]

Hi All!

Well I have a question which I am sure someone where will know the answer to. As our big hoo-ha family wedding in Canada approaches (August 1st!!). I am suddenly fielding a million questions about Americans crossing the border with misdemeanor marijuana possession charges. Okay, well only three people have asked me about this but that seems pretty high (no pun intended) to me! I am kind of guessing no one saw the HUGE NOTE I put about this on our wedding website, as they have all bought tickets already. This could cut our catering bill down substantially...

These offenses were all within the last five years.

Should they, or should they not all apply for temporary resident visas? If so, what documentation do they need to attach regarding their police records and the misdemeanor charges?

Do temporary resident visas guarantee entry? Are they likely to get across the border w/o them?

Help! Someone here must know. The internet info is not conclusive, and I have not found a phone number with an actual person to talk to.

Thanks:)

[Krikit 1,164]

Some FAQ's for you on this:

Entering Canada: Overcoming Criminal Inadmissbility

[bluegreen 0]

Thanks Krikit:) Having read through the FAQs, I am still unclear about whether they are likely to be approved for temp. resident visas and exactly what they have to include with the applications. I guess my wedding is hardly an exceptional circumstance! I would love to hear from anyone who has experience with this!

[RYCK 0]

uh a temp. resident visa .. i didn't know there was one .. but regardless if all they are doing is coming for the wedding then it is not needed and would be a waste of time and money. And even if that was an option if a drug charge makes you inadmissable into Canada then will also make you inadmissable for a visa

[bluegreen 0]

uh a temp. resident visa .. i didn't know there was one .. but regardless if all they are doing is coming for the wedding then it is not needed and would be a waste of time and money. And even if that was an option if a drug charge makes you inadmissable into Canada then will also make you inadmissable for a visa

Temp resident visas are sometimes issued to people (even US citizens) who could be considered inadmissable to Canada and are not within the timeframe of being considered "rehabilitated". Since drug possession under30 grams is not an indictable offense, it does not automatically make you you inadmissable—it is at the discretion of the border agent, which is why having a temp resident visa can be helpful - someone has already reviewed the court documents and determined that the person is not a threat.

I just don't know how readily they are issued to people with these misdemeanor offenses and if they really make a difference at the border.

[Krikit 1,164]

Thanks Krikit:) Having read through the FAQs, I am still unclear about whether they are likely to be approved for temp. resident visas and exactly what they have to include with the applications. I guess my wedding is hardly an exceptional circumstance! I would love to hear from anyone who has experience with this!

*sound of silence*

Well, all I can say is that I guess our Canadian VJ'ers don't know any criminals.

[bluegreen 0]

Thanks Krikit:) Having read through the FAQs, I am still unclear about whether they are likely to be approved for temp. resident visas and exactly what they have to include with the applications. I guess my wedding is hardly an exceptional circumstance! I would love to hear from anyone who has experience with this!

*sound of silence*

Well, all I can say is that I guess our Canadian VJ'ers don't know any criminals.

Ha! That's okay:) I must be the only person aquainted with such a bunch of lowlife marijuana-possessors:) I think all I can do is recommend that they hop on getting the visas right away (they are $75 which is not too bad) and take their chances, since they have already bought tickets. They all think it is hilarious that pot possession is what might make them inadmissable, since in their eyes, Canada is marijuana mecca where people walk around smoking doobies 24/7 and everyone has a few plants in their backyard. Sigh. Yes, right outside the backdoors of our igloos.

[Krikit 1,164]

[brocku00 1]

Hi there, I'm at work right now but I know your answer and I will PM you with any info you need after work. You will be saving some money!!

[brocku00 1]

If your friends are American they are not elligible to get a TRV since Americans do not need visas to enter Canada. Sooooo, since they are inadmissable Americans, they will need a TRP (temporary resident permit) which is $200 and takes up to 6 weeks to apply and get approved for one. With the TRP application they have to complete an application, reference letters, FBI background check and then send it in. I will explain more of your options with you after work though....don't worry or panic...I'll PM you later.

[Carlawarla 1]

Hi there, I'm at work right now but I know your answer and I will PM you with any info you need after work. You will be saving some money!!

Sounds like you may have gone through this route, or know someone who has brocku. That's wonderful, and will be really helpful to bluegreen. I'd really appreciate it however, if you didn't just PM her the information. Could you not post that information here? Firstly, it's not confidential information, and secondly, if this question comes up several months from now, I don't know that anyone but bluegreen would be even able to help out, or you, since the info would only be between you two.

Thanks so much!

[brocku00 1]

Hi again! Carlawarla...i just PM'd you and explained things....hope you understand.

[bluegreen 0]

Thank you thank you! Once I have the precious info I definitely describe the route that my irresponsible friends elect to take:) I am not sure if attendance at our wedding will outweigh the expense and bureaucracy inherent in the process (and I don't think there is time), but hopefully they do it so we can all see how it works. Heh.