Traveling to Canada with a minor offence, any experience? | Canada - Lonely Planet Forum

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Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:09:49 +0000

Hi,

I'm a British citizen who would really like to visit Canada this summer. Unfortunatly two years ago I was convicted for fare evasion.Whats really anoying is it was an honest mistake. My mounthly travel card had expired by a day or two and I offerd to pay the fine there and then but the case went to court. The only thing i was guilty of was forgetfulness! Sorry to ramble on its just really frustrating!

Anyway, i would really really appreciate if you know the likelihood of getting court out at the airport in canada and sent back? If you're a British Citizen or know of someone who is and has traveld to canada with out a visa with a miner offence on there record, please could you let me know?

Many thanks, Chris.

ONLINE

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 05:24:06 +0000

If I'm not mistaken I saw a sign with your name on it posted at YVR. If you change your name and get some plastic surgery to alter your face you should be fine. And don't ever forget to pay your fare again!

The boy with the filthy laugh

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Sat, 16 Apr 2011 09:46:59 +0000

Hey,

I know it's seem a bit stupid but technically I still have a criminal record and i've read stories about people being sent back even for having miner offences.

Edited by: chrisrocks85

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ONLINE

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 21:42:23 +0000

You don't get a criminal record for not paying your bus fare. If you were charged with a criminal offense then you did something much worse than evade your fare.

The boy with the filthy laugh

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Sat, 16 Apr 2011 22:55:37 +0000

As stupid as it may seem I was still convicted by a court of law so i have a record.

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Sat, 16 Apr 2011 23:19:56 +0000

Can you head down to the police station and find out what your criminal record is?

I'm sure you can plead your case with the immigration department if it gets to that.

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Sat, 16 Apr 2011 23:59:48 +0000

As I said above, you don't get a criminal record for not paying your bus fare, so there's something you're not telling us. Can't answer your question if you're being evasive. (And isn't being evasive what caused you the problem in the first place?)

The boy with the filthy laugh

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Sun, 17 Apr 2011 00:07:19 +0000

In the UK, if the jobsworth checking tickets on the Tube thinks that you have deliberately evaded the fare, then it becomes a prosecution in court, and not just a fine, and if you lose then you have a criminal record. End of story- nothing more to tell.

As you could imagine, these jobsworths can think of nothing better than referring cases for prosecution.

PS- why not ring the Canadian Embassy- you should have no probs once you tell them how minor this is. I think that the rule in Oz is that you only get refused a visa if you have a substantial criminal record........

Never try to whistle with a mouth full of custard.

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Sun, 17 Apr 2011 02:45:42 +0000

Be careful of the troll whackers at immigration.

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Sun, 17 Apr 2011 05:51:51 +0000

The usual deposit for fare evasion admittance is a litre of blood-from UK residents we require a quart.

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