US Entry Waivers

Have you been denied entry to the United States because of a criminal record?
 

If you have been denied entry to the US because of a criminal record, you will need advance permission to enter the US in the form of a US entry waiver (sometimes called a US travel waiver or a US waiver).

Commissionaires Ottawa offers:

• courtesy and respect—regardless of your background or the circumstances surrounding your need for a US waiver;

• professional and knowledgeable commissionaires to help you fill out and submit your application;

• a confidential setting—individual rights and privacy are assured;

• a lower cost alternative to other providers, with no hidden fees;

• the latest digital technology for reliable capture of fingerprints required for US Waiver processing, which makes processing your application much quicker.

Refused Entry

The US can refuse admission to any person convicted of a criminal offence. This means that if you have a criminal record, you should obtain a US entry waiver to ensure that you will not be turned back at the border and that you can legally travel to, or through, the US.

Anyone granted a US entry waiver should be at no risk of being refused entry to the US. A US entry waiver overrides any personal discretion that US border guards may have.


Records
 

Records of criminal convictions are kept in the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) computer database. CPIC is connected to the US National Crime Information Centre (NCIC), which is accessible by US Customs, Immigration and State Police departments. Once a US official has checked a record, it is kept in the NCIC even after a pardon is obtained in Canada. A US entry waiver will be added to your record, resolving any further issue of border travel.


How to Get Started
 

Please contact one of our convenient Ottawa, Gatineau or Sudbury locations to make your initial confidential appointment. Our friendly, knowledgeable US entry waiver service agent will review the application process and answer all your questions. During this first appointment, your fingerprints will be taken as a first step in the application. Please ensure you have all the necessary identification in hand before you visit our office.


Identification Required
 

You should bring two pieces of valid government issued identification and one must be a photo ID. The following are types of acceptable identification.

Please check with your local office for additional types of identification that may be accepted:

• Passport

• Driver's Licence

• Birth Certificate

• Canadian Citizenship Card

• Permanent Resident Card

• Certificate of Indian Status

• Immigration Documents i.e., work or study permits

• Military Family ID card (MFID)

• Record of Landing for Citizenship Applicant

• Certificate of Live Birth

Fees

Commissionaires Ottawa offers an all-inclusive price of $499+tax to process your U.S. Entry Waiver application.

This fee includes:

• Fingerprints and RCMP fee

• All postage and courier fees

• Photocopies

• Court record searches (maximum of 4)

• Administrative time

A money order for USD $585, payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will be required when the application is complete.