Any American that has a felony conviction on their criminal record may not be permitted entry into Canada unless they have received special permission from the Canadian Government.
You can be “deemed rehabilitated” if enough time has passed since your conviction, or since all conditions of your sentence have been met. The standard amount of time is 10 years. So if it has been 10 years or more since you committed a crime or completed a sentence for a crime, you may be able to enter Canada.
The Immigration Act specifically bars felons from entry to Canada. Other offenses that can keep a person from being able to enter Canada include reckless driving, misdemeanor drug possession, any type of felony, domestic violence and shoplifting.
Therefore, a person convicted of a felony will be flagged at the border and undergo further investigation by border services. A traveller always has the responsibility to explain and justify their reason for entering Canada. A felony conviction might deny a person entry into Canada even if they were acquitted.
Canadian border agents have full access to U.S. criminal records, including FBI background checks, so they are likely to flag anyone with an arrest or a felony charge.
As of Nov 23, 2015, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) agents have full access to the FBI criminal database at their primary checkpoints, which allows them to detect when a visitor has a warrant or a criminal conviction.
If you have been convicted in a Canadian court of law, a conviction will stay on your record until you are 125 years old. In other words, it's for life. However, you can apply for a Record Suspension and have your record removed from the CPIC database unless your record is ineligible.
Can you go to Mexico with a felony? Yes, as a felon, you are not automatically denied access to Mexico but there are some exceptions. Mexican authorities will deny your entry if you have committed a serious crime, such as murder, terrorism, or drug trafficking.
Over a dozen states in the United States share their DMV records with Canada, allowing the border to detect non-criminal impaired driving infractions as well as offences such as driving with a suspended licence.
Legally, there is no restriction on crossing the U.S.-Canada border on foot. While it is far more common to cross in a vehicle, no law in either the U.S. or in Canada forbids walking across the border. However, you must pass through customs.
Under Canada's immigration law, you may be refused entry to Canada if you have been convicted of a criminal offence. However, this will depend on the crime, how long ago it was and how you have behaved since.
Other misdemeanor convictions that can get you barred from crossing the border include assault, disorderly conduct, mischief, resisting arrest, disturbing the peace, possession of a controlled substance, petty theft, larceny, possession of stolen property, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Most convicted felons and ex-felons can get a passport. However, even if you are issued a passport, it does not mean that you will be able to travel anywhere you wish. Many countries refuse to let convicted felons enter their borders, both for public safety and for political reasons.
In Canada, the term misdemeanor or felony is not used. Instead, there are summary or indictable offenses. A summary offense in Canada is similar to an American misdemeanor, while an indictable offense in Canada is similar to an American felony.
A criminal conviction in Canada, with no suspensions, will last up to 80 years before being struck from the record as standard. Canadian criminal record checks conducted by searching the CPIC database are the only official way to perform a criminal background check on someone in Canada.
Unfortunately, a Canadian pardon cannot be done for free. The cost of filing a pardon with the Parole Board of Canada is $657.77. But keep in mind that this amount is only the FINAL cost payable to the government of Canada AFTER all the paperwork has been completed.
For example, a criminal record check confirming a record exists may include: A full record check, personal information, all convictions and charges that did not lead to a conviction. Personal information and only a conviction history.
There is no link to your criminal record from your passport. The chip on a biometric passport only stores a digitised image of your photograph and biographical details which are printed in your passport. You will be required to apply for a visa when travelling to certain countries (for example the USA and Australia).
Traveling to Dubai
The only restriction for them flying would be if they have a felony warrant outstanding against them. The other possible issue would be if their name is on what is called the no-fly list maintained by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for those suspected of being terrorists.
Can Felons Fly? Flying to Hawaii shouldn't pose a problem for felons as long as they fly from one state to another, Hawaii included. The only difficulty for them flying would be if they have a felony warrant outstanding against them.
Unless the Bahamas was notified of his crime (unlikely), there should be no issue. The Bahamas immigration form does not ask if you have any convictions and unless the immigration officer has reason to ask, it is not a question you are likley to be asked.
You must not have any criminal convictions, for which the sentence or sentences should not equal a total period of 12 months duration or more (whether served or not), at the time of travel to, and entry into, Australia.”
Canadian law enforcement agencies use the latest and most advanced technology, including ground sensors, cameras, radar, and license plate readers to monitor the border and keep both Canada and the U.S. safe. Our ports of entry are secure.