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Posts: 162
Location: Metro, MN | To put it simple, I live for muskie fishing. I haven't been to the greatest place known to man yet....LOTW
I'm 26 years old and back when I just turned 18 I was convicted of gross misdemeanor 4th degree burglary for stealing beer from some people garages. A stupid, and costly mistake.
Can somebody who has gone through the process with the Canadian Border Service Agency in getting approved to visit Canada whenever you may want please simplify the steps I need to take(regardless of cost) to get this done. If you ask me, their website is set up very poorly in properly explaining this step by step.
Thank You
Edited by MuskyKarma 6/10/2014 8:40 PM
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Location: one foot over the line | What kind of beer was it? |
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Posts: 162
Location: Metro, MN | It was a classic mix of michgolden light and Leiny's. Only came out to be about 250.00 a can... |
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Posts: 410
Location: one foot over the line | Well you certainly earned that price! Probably lucky you never got shot. Anyway, if i were to start writing down all the stupid crap that i did as a young lad i'd still be typing in september. Good luck with your original question, someone should chime in on this one. I do think it was discussed, in detail, a couple of months ago on here, might want to try to dig that one up. |
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Posts: 162
Location: Metro, MN | Yeah sometimes growin up as a kid you learn a few things the stupid and difficult way. Used the search function but found nothing really good in regards to a good explaination as to the steps needed to take in the process |
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Posts: 897
| I just looked at the website and here is what I came up with:
You are applying to be rehabilitated.
Here is the page you should be looking at first:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5312ET...
Here is the application you need to fill out:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM1444E.pdf
Here is the page that talks about the $200 fee you need to pay up front:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5310B.pdf
When you apply, own what you did, be apologetic and be concise. Stealing from garages could easily have been charged as a felony 2nd or 3rd Degree Burglary depending whether the garage was attached to the house. Don't give them a reason to dig.
Also, depending on when your probation ended you may not be able to apply yet. You have to wait until 5 years after probation expires to apply for anything unless no conviction was entered. |
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Posts: 162
Location: Metro, MN | This will be fine. Appreciate it |
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Posts: 624
Location: Bloomington, MN | Canada is NOT like the U.S.A.! We "The U.S.A." are like a big wide open Hallmark card, and not just for the Justin Beiber type that pays big time tax. We also embrace those from....well every where dispite of their documented past or financial background. Canada is different, and since it is not at least 10 years since your incident, enjoy and explore the many muskie waters this country has to offer, and then be prepared for possible refusal of entry.
Edited by Clark A 6/11/2014 12:08 AM
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Posts: 357
Location: Duluth, MN | whynot - 6/10/2014 9:17 PM
I just looked at the website and here is what I came up with:
You are applying to be rehabilitated.
Here is the page you should be looking at first:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5312ET...
Here is the application you need to fill out:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM1444E.pdf
Here is the page that talks about the $200 fee you need to pay up front:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5310B.pdf
When you apply, own what you did, be apologetic and be concise. Stealing from garages could easily have been charged as a felony 2nd or 3rd Degree Burglary depending whether the garage was attached to the house. Don't give them a reason to dig.
Also, depending on when your probation ended you may not be able to apply yet. You have to wait until 5 years after probation expires to apply for anything unless no conviction was entered.
This^^^ I have done a ton of research on this, been refused entry, and also let in with a DUI from 2009. I am not eligible to go back and apply for rehabilitation until October 2015, at which time I will have to go through this process....tick tock tick tock..I miss that place!
Dont be afraid to give the border crossing office a call as well. They know the rules and are the ones who will either deny you entry or let you in. I was told by one agent that they actulaly appreciate it when someone with questions like this has the forsight to call and ask. Saves a lot of headaches at the border for them!
There is another option, a TRP (temporary residency permit) These are not handed out often and are usually reserved for siomething like a relatives wedding or family related things. Tough to get one, although I was fortunate to have a Canadian agent who realized what a father son fishing trip meant to some people, and he cut me some slack and let me in one last time. This is very very rare though.
Good luck!
Edited by bdog 6/11/2014 5:37 AM
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Posts: 153
| Just call Rainy River customs and ask. Thats the best way. I think your going to be okay. |
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Posts: 1516
| DUI in the states is a gross misdemeanor in Canada it's a felony. Not sure what stealing beer is in Canada but if not a felony chance may be good you can get in w/o the rehab process. Good Luck |
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Posts: 897
| MuskyKarma - 6/10/2014 11:44 PM
This will be fine. Appreciate it
No problem, good luck!
I know it doesn't say to do this in the application, but I would see if you could get your probation officer to write a letter detailing your performance on probation. I'd also see if you could get letters of support from a pastor, boss, parents, etc., and send them with. Can't hurt.
Personally, I think the Canucks need to relax when it comes to this stuff, particularly DWI's. They're losing out on a ton of tourism dollars. I know the rumor is they're working on changing this stuff, but it hasn't happened yet as far as I can tell. |
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Location: MN | Good suggestions so far. If you find out you will not be able to go to the Canadian side of LOTW you could consider the NW Angle on the MN side. I have not fished it but I have heard the Musky fishing is very good in that area. The structure appears to be similar to what you would be fishing on the Canadian side. Maybe some others can chime in who have experience in that area.
I have heard the Canadian customs are much more forgiving when they know you are only crossing the boarder to go to the US side at the Angle. Again you should call ahead to see. If that is not an option you could load up the boat in Warroad and run up to a resort in the Angle. You just have to hope there isn't a big East or North wind. We have considered doing this for a duck hunting trip because one of the guys in our group has a couple DUI's. |
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Location: Oswego, IL | I would suggest, applying for a RABC card, I believe around $30. Fill out the form answer honestly, mail it in. What will happen then is they will send you your card and your pretty much good to go, or they will call you and go over the application ask questions and determine where to go from there -aka maybe ask for you to obtain a state background check, and city/local background check (from wherever you have lived in the last 5-10 years) and send them in as well. I also would include a letter of explanation as to what your point of view is/was and how you are much different now and won't happen again. WORST case they say no, but at least they will say, the crime you committed will be rehabbed in X amount of years. I was an idiot before so I know at least what I had to do. Its the cheapest way I found and finally finally finally don't have to hold my breath every time I want to visit Windsor or Ontario. Don't get me wrong they will still pull you over at the boarder with the card, but in order to get that card if you had a damaged history you had to have the interview and deemed admissible by a CBSA agent. You'll get hassled with it but get in if your polite and respectful. All this is only my opinion but a lot of it is factual personal experience, things may have changed lately for US citizens and I heard for the better. I can tell you EVERY year I go I spend the money for the card just to have that piece of mind.
Edited by muskiewhored 6/11/2014 9:01 PM
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Location: Lake of the Woods, Morson, Ontario | Call Immigration in Fort Frances. They have officers on duty from 7am to 11pm. Consider busy times like weekends and evenings before you call. Email me at [email protected] for the number. You can get the rules right from the border and then assess your chances of having an issue. Paperwork can be done if you are eligible to apply for rehab certificate, but takes a very long time to go through the channels officially. Make the call and go from there. |
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