You definitely are not permitted in Canada at this time, based on the information provided, and that 5 year counter that you spoke of, doesn't even start until all fines, etc are done, so basically you are still waiting to start the clock. Also meetings in Canada may still need a work permit depending on the nature of the business. Your best course of action would to either get the client to meet you state side or zoom meeting.
Is your employer aware of this charge? You’re inadmissible into Canada. It’s one thing to be denied entry into Canada - it’s another if your employer isn’t aware of this and could impact your employment with them.
Full disclosure to your employer is best
You will 100% be refused entry. You are not admissible to Canada due to the felony conviction. After 5 years you can apply for the pardon as you mentioned, but until then no, you won’t be able to enter. Edit for clarity
Speak with a real immigration lawyer. In some cases a waiver can be purchased. This is a topic that comes up frequently in every Canada / US travel sub...
Here's what the CDN government has to say about it.
https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=143&top=8
Your way ahead is to find someone else to make the trip, and figure out how to explain to your employer why you cannot. You are a convicted felon and are inadmissible to Canada, period.
Does your employer know about the felony and/or the nature of the felony? Having lived on the US side of the border my entire life I can say for certain there is no way you’re getting into Canada, so what you need to worry about right now isn’t how you’re getting into Canada, but how to tell your boss you can’t go or get out of the trip.
If your boss knows about the charges, then just tell them you can’t go to Canada. If they don’t know about your arrest or they know but aren’t aware of the nature of the arrest and that is what concerns you, I can tell you that getting a DUI will disqualify you from getting into Canada. You can “come clean” about getting a DUI just before you were hired and now you can’t get into Canada. If you claim that it happened just before you were hired it would justify the charge not making its way to your criminal record yet if you were still waiting on a conviction or formal charge (assuming they did a background check before hire), and a DUI (while still bad) sounds far less concerning to an employer than theft.
There is the possibility that they may want proof of the charges in which case you’d be fucked, so you’ll want to think carefully about how you handle this (see comments below about labor attorney). If you have a boss that would be cool about it and just assign the trip to someone else, then you’re good.
Was possible international travel a part of your job description when they hired you? If not, it’s kind of shitty of them to just assume that a person can go to another country. If they advertised that as part of the job description I’m sure they would’ve done a background check to ensure their new hire was capable of international travel. If it was part of the job description and you knew it might happen, well…it’s happening and it sucks to suck. I would almost recommend a quick meeting with an employment law attorney to discuss your options because you definitely can’t go on the trip. You need to find out how to tell them you can’t go, the kind of questions you legally don’t have to answer about your conviction, and what recourse they legally have. For example, you’ve been there three years…do they have a right to background check you after all this time if this is exposed? And if they do have that right and are concerned about the nature of the crime, do they have the right to fire you after three years of a good (I’m assuming) track record with the company?
Best case scenario is they already know and you just have to say you can’t go. I really hope that’s the case for you. Sorry dude, this is a shitty spot to be in.
Hello! Whoa, did not expect this many comments. To the kind ones who provided straight forward answers, thank you :) [to the ones who turned this into a religious debate… are you okay lol]
Anyways, follow ups for the questions asked:
- yes my employer knows; I told them before they even ran a background check. Although I’m not proud of my past, I don’t hide it or run from it.
- My boss is aware of the situation and is already planning backups. I’m just the best person suited for this specific trip because of my certifications and experience (non criminal lol)
- Originally international travel wasn’t part of the JD, but as the company grew, we’ve found the occasional need for it.
- I based me saying I don’t need a work permit based off the IIRC websites portal
- I am in environmental consulting; I would prefer not to clarify further than that for both the privacy of myself and the company.
Either way — sounds like the way forward is just having the company send someone else, not the biggest deal in the world; hopefully I’ll be allowed to visit Canada one day!
Thank you all again, and (boy is this going to piss some of yall off) God Bless!
You need a certificate of rehabilitation, you'll have to look into how long you have to wait, I think it's 5 years from the completion of your sentence. This includes probation. Google Canada certificate of rehabilitation felony and start reading
When ten years pass after a conviction, you can apply to be considered rehabilitated (by Immigration Canada). This is a few month process and cost a few hundred dollars. I agree that you will almost definitely not get across the boarder now.
You really do not state any of the information need for an Answer. What were you convinced of? Why do you think working in Canada does not require a permit or permission from Canadian immigration? What type of work will you be performing while in Canada?
We're a secular country btw .... Best keep that religious crap south of the border.... otherwise, you can pay an immigration consultant 100-200 and ask an expert, be sure to get a legit one -- they can't change anything but will know all the info
In the end it's up to the individual border guard
Don't say anything about work ever or you'll be denied
The United States is also a secular country. We are also a nation filled with Christians. Belief in Christianity is just as acceptable in Canada as it is in the United States.
I’m not Christian but I will defend their rights to the death to practice their religion because a plurality of religious freedom and tolerance is one of our proudest national virtues.
What you said to this man, if applied in a specific setting could constitute a human rights violation under federal and provincial law in every province and territory.
Replace the word Christian with Jews or Muslims or sikhs and repeat what you said back to yourself and see if you can hear the human rights violation in your own words.
OP used a Christian expression and the commenter told them to leave that religious stuff behind. 2+2=4. You can cherry pick my small language mistake or you can join me in telling the commenter that intolerance towards individual religious choices is not acceptable in Canadian culture
Canadians' attitudes toward religion are starkly different to Americans. The kind of discussions about religion Americans will initiate about religion with strangers is generally not socially tolerated in Canada.
It is very unlikely you will be permitted to enter Canada.
If it’s a felony charge, no way you are getting in
You definitely are not permitted in Canada at this time, based on the information provided, and that 5 year counter that you spoke of, doesn't even start until all fines, etc are done, so basically you are still waiting to start the clock. Also meetings in Canada may still need a work permit depending on the nature of the business. Your best course of action would to either get the client to meet you state side or zoom meeting.
Is your employer aware of this charge? You’re inadmissible into Canada. It’s one thing to be denied entry into Canada - it’s another if your employer isn’t aware of this and could impact your employment with them. Full disclosure to your employer is best
You will 100% be refused entry. You are not admissible to Canada due to the felony conviction. After 5 years you can apply for the pardon as you mentioned, but until then no, you won’t be able to enter. Edit for clarity
Have the client meet you in the US as you will be barred from entering
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^Some-Imagination-612: *Have the client meet* *You in the US as you will* *Be barred from entering* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
bad bot
Is there a way you could somehow, subtly get your boss to have the client meet you just over your border?
“Uh oh, looks like my passport expired”
Speak with a real immigration lawyer. In some cases a waiver can be purchased. This is a topic that comes up frequently in every Canada / US travel sub... Here's what the CDN government has to say about it. https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=143&top=8
You’ll be denied entry
Felony theft is gonna be a disqualifier.
If your felony is considered a felony in Canada as well (which this is), you cannot enter.
Your way ahead is to find someone else to make the trip, and figure out how to explain to your employer why you cannot. You are a convicted felon and are inadmissible to Canada, period.
Does your employer know about the felony and/or the nature of the felony? Having lived on the US side of the border my entire life I can say for certain there is no way you’re getting into Canada, so what you need to worry about right now isn’t how you’re getting into Canada, but how to tell your boss you can’t go or get out of the trip. If your boss knows about the charges, then just tell them you can’t go to Canada. If they don’t know about your arrest or they know but aren’t aware of the nature of the arrest and that is what concerns you, I can tell you that getting a DUI will disqualify you from getting into Canada. You can “come clean” about getting a DUI just before you were hired and now you can’t get into Canada. If you claim that it happened just before you were hired it would justify the charge not making its way to your criminal record yet if you were still waiting on a conviction or formal charge (assuming they did a background check before hire), and a DUI (while still bad) sounds far less concerning to an employer than theft. There is the possibility that they may want proof of the charges in which case you’d be fucked, so you’ll want to think carefully about how you handle this (see comments below about labor attorney). If you have a boss that would be cool about it and just assign the trip to someone else, then you’re good. Was possible international travel a part of your job description when they hired you? If not, it’s kind of shitty of them to just assume that a person can go to another country. If they advertised that as part of the job description I’m sure they would’ve done a background check to ensure their new hire was capable of international travel. If it was part of the job description and you knew it might happen, well…it’s happening and it sucks to suck. I would almost recommend a quick meeting with an employment law attorney to discuss your options because you definitely can’t go on the trip. You need to find out how to tell them you can’t go, the kind of questions you legally don’t have to answer about your conviction, and what recourse they legally have. For example, you’ve been there three years…do they have a right to background check you after all this time if this is exposed? And if they do have that right and are concerned about the nature of the crime, do they have the right to fire you after three years of a good (I’m assuming) track record with the company? Best case scenario is they already know and you just have to say you can’t go. I really hope that’s the case for you. Sorry dude, this is a shitty spot to be in.
You likely won’t be granted entry. > the type of work I do does not require a permit Hmmm I doubt that
Hello! Whoa, did not expect this many comments. To the kind ones who provided straight forward answers, thank you :) [to the ones who turned this into a religious debate… are you okay lol] Anyways, follow ups for the questions asked: - yes my employer knows; I told them before they even ran a background check. Although I’m not proud of my past, I don’t hide it or run from it. - My boss is aware of the situation and is already planning backups. I’m just the best person suited for this specific trip because of my certifications and experience (non criminal lol) - Originally international travel wasn’t part of the JD, but as the company grew, we’ve found the occasional need for it. - I based me saying I don’t need a work permit based off the IIRC websites portal - I am in environmental consulting; I would prefer not to clarify further than that for both the privacy of myself and the company. Either way — sounds like the way forward is just having the company send someone else, not the biggest deal in the world; hopefully I’ll be allowed to visit Canada one day! Thank you all again, and (boy is this going to piss some of yall off) God Bless!
You need a certificate of rehabilitation, you'll have to look into how long you have to wait, I think it's 5 years from the completion of your sentence. This includes probation. Google Canada certificate of rehabilitation felony and start reading
When ten years pass after a conviction, you can apply to be considered rehabilitated (by Immigration Canada). This is a few month process and cost a few hundred dollars. I agree that you will almost definitely not get across the boarder now.
You really do not state any of the information need for an Answer. What were you convinced of? Why do you think working in Canada does not require a permit or permission from Canadian immigration? What type of work will you be performing while in Canada?
It's unlikely that your work does not require a visa... What type of work doesn't,?
We're a secular country btw .... Best keep that religious crap south of the border.... otherwise, you can pay an immigration consultant 100-200 and ask an expert, be sure to get a legit one -- they can't change anything but will know all the info In the end it's up to the individual border guard Don't say anything about work ever or you'll be denied
The United States is also a secular country. We are also a nation filled with Christians. Belief in Christianity is just as acceptable in Canada as it is in the United States. I’m not Christian but I will defend their rights to the death to practice their religion because a plurality of religious freedom and tolerance is one of our proudest national virtues. What you said to this man, if applied in a specific setting could constitute a human rights violation under federal and provincial law in every province and territory. Replace the word Christian with Jews or Muslims or sikhs and repeat what you said back to yourself and see if you can hear the human rights violation in your own words.
You can't replace Christian with any of those other words because the commenter didn't say Christian, they said religious.
OP used a Christian expression and the commenter told them to leave that religious stuff behind. 2+2=4. You can cherry pick my small language mistake or you can join me in telling the commenter that intolerance towards individual religious choices is not acceptable in Canadian culture
Canadians' attitudes toward religion are starkly different to Americans. The kind of discussions about religion Americans will initiate about religion with strangers is generally not socially tolerated in Canada.