Question about Sex Offenders entering Canada for a visit

[Hawkeye-X]

Hi,

I have a friend who wants to go to Canada in September to attend his brother-in-law's wedding to a Canadian. He is a registered sex offender in the United States, and almost out of his federal-mandated probation. He has asked me to find information for him on whether or not Canadians authorities allow entry to a felon or a ex-felon for a brief visit to Canada. He has been in treatment and has a extremely low chance of recividism. My friend is more than willing to do what is necessary to comply with Canadian law, but does not have a passport, but notified his PO about the wedding, and PO said it is possible if everything goes well.

So any links or information will help tremendously for my buddy.

Thanks!

Hawkeye-X

[Spazito]

1. Here is some info I found on criminal inadmissibility to Canada

that might help:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/faq-inadmissibility.html#note1

[GirlinContempt]

2. He should contact the Canadian Embassy

There are embassies in
Washington DC
Anchorage
Atlanta
Boston
Buffalo
Chicago
Dallas
Denver
Detroit
Houston
Los Angeles
Miami
Minneapolis
New York
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Raleigh
San Diego
San Francisco / Silicon Valley
Seattle

http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/world/embassies/menu-en.asp

[Jazz2006]

3. How far in the future is the wedding?

Your friend will not likely be allowed to enter Canada while he is still on probation for purposes of attending a wedding.

While exceptions are sometimes made on compassionate grounds, etc., they are pretty much reserved for funerals of close family members or for purposes of visiting a terminally ill family member, things like that.

The wedding of a brother-in-law is not likely to be deemed a sufficient basis to thaw the cold hearts of the customs and immigration people.

Even after the probation period ends, there is a lengthy waiting period before the person can apply to be allowed into the country and, in the case of sexual offences, the customs & immigration people are likely to take a very close look at the circumstances of the offence and the offender, all of which also takes time, if they will entertain the request at all before the usual waiting period.

That said, it doesn't hurt to try ~ but depending how far in the future the wedding is, your friend should probably start looking into the process asap. He can get the necessary guides, application forms and instructions here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/rehabil.html