Traveling to Canada with a minor offence, any experience?

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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.

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?)

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........

Be careful of the troll whackers at immigration.

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

What you've heard about is probably the drunk driving offenses, which in many countries are considered "minor" but will cause you trouble here in Canada (i.e. will keep you out of the country).

Yeah must of them are. I think i should be ok. Maybe i was just being a bit paranoid but its had not to be sometiems with the histeria on the internet.

Edited by: chrisrocks85

You would only be denied entry to Canada if you had committed a true crime. Fare evasion is a misdemeanour offense and is handled by way of summary conviction. I would doubt that you have a criminal record as you say you have. If you are worried, go down and ask at your local constabulary.

You won't get turned back for a simple fare evasion.
I have a friend who did 18 months in The UK, then went to Canada - and The USA for a holiday.... No hassle at all.