montral pardons record suspensions
Record Suspensions, U.S. Entry Waivers & File Destructions Services in Montreal

Montreal is one of the great cities of Canada, and the world, with a vibrant, multi-cultural population, and plenty of opportunities for both personal and professional growth. But to make the most of what the city and the rest of Canada have to offer, a clear permanent record is often required.

For some, the presence of a criminal conviction on a record has a huge, negative impact. Finding jobs, settling down in a nice apartment, and even just traveling to the United States are all affected by a criminal record. We can help. Pardons Canada is a non-profit organization with expertise in record suspensions, U.S. entry waivers, and file destruction, and we can assist you if you have these issues.

Record Suspensions

The word “pardon” got a name change in recent years to “record suspension,” but the function remains the same. When a record suspension application is approved, the presence of any criminal record is purged from the Canadian Police Information Centre, or CPIC.

This means that any new background checks conducted on you by private citizens will show a clear file. The same is true if the American Customs & Border Patrol carries out a first-time search. Any job, rental agreement or other application processes that require a clean record will now be an easy, stress-free process that no longer requires the understanding of a decision maker to overlook or understand the presence of a criminal conviction.

U.S. Entry Waivers

While it doesn’t happen to every single person arriving at an airport, or driving to the border between the U.S. and Canada, background checks are 100% legal. A CBP officer, can, at his or her discretion, decide to conduct a background check. The presence of a criminal record gives that officer the right to deny entry to America permanently.

A U.S. Entry Waiver (I-192 or I-194)  is the only way to legally enter America again once a person has been marked as having a criminal record. Even a record suspension won’t be adequate since the presence of the criminal record is now in the CBP database, which is separate from the CPIC database. If you need to travel to America regularly but have a criminal record, you need this entry waiver.

File Destructions

While not every arrest and trial in court results in a criminal conviction, that doesn’t mean that a person has a clear record. In fact, even with a case dismissal, a case withdrawal, or an acquittal, the arrest and fingerprints are still on a permanent record, and this information is still accessible in any legal background check. If you want these trace remnants removed from your permanent record, applying for a file destruction will be the final “clean sweep.”

Getting a record suspension, US entry waiver or file destruction can take some time, even years, depending on the nature of the process being sought. You need to start planning ahead and make sure you have the application and required documents thoroughly understood in order to expedite the process. That’s where we can help. If you want to avoid unnecessary delays, or even painful and long reapplications because of a mistake in the application, Pardons Canada can help you make sure you get it done right the first time, as quickly as the process allows. Contact us for more information.