British citizen going on holiday to Canada with conviction

Hello,

I wonder if anyone could answer what is a quick question. A colleague is hoping to go to US and Canada for a holiday but has a drug conviction and served approximately 9 months. They are worried that they will be turned back when they arrive because of this.

Does anyone have any experience of this or can offer some insight?

Thanks, Max

Your colleague is most likely inadmissible to both Canada and the US. However, unlike the US, Canada does not ask visitors about their convictions, and the immigration officers are unlikely to have access to his UK criminal record. US immigration on the other hand specifically asks about visitors' criminal record (specifically about drug convictions), and lying at the port of entry is never a good idea.

From the first reply, I can't believe those yanks have the nerve to ask about criminal convictions, they'll be asking for sexual orientation next. The Canadian officials might only ask if you're carrying over $10K in cash, otherwise they'll roll out the red carpet after seeing your British passport.
Anyway, leave the States to alone. They've been a law to themselves since they kicked you out in 1779. As a Britisher, I'm sure you'll feel much more at home in Canada. ( And they don't carry guns in glove-box! )

You should call both embassies and find out if a record has any relevance
to your admission as a tourist. If not, As a precaution, ask for the answer in writing so there are no surprises.

giuseppenero wrote:From the first reply, I can't believe those yanks have the nerve to ask about criminal convictions, they'll be asking for sexual orientation next.

Most people with criminal convictions are inadmissible both to the US and Canada (Martha Stewart was denied entry into Canada after her conviction in the US).

giuseppenero wrote:You should call both embassies and find out if a record has any relevance
to your admission as a tourist. If not, As a precaution, ask for the answer in writing so there are no surprises.

Very bad advice here: 1) you cannot rely on embassies giving you correct information in general, 2) embassies have nothing to do with immigration (apart from issuing visas) and would not comment on individual cases.