Can I Travel to the US with a Pardon?

Visitor:  I was stopped when clearing US Customs in Toronto last June and asked if I had ever been arrested. I was honest and told them I had an assault charge from over 40 years ago and thought that a pardon had been issued.  They allowed me to enter the States but told me I would have to obtain a Pardon and bring it with me on my next visit.

I started by obtaining a criminal record check from the local RCMP. It came back with just a couple Motor Vehicle infractions and no criminal offence as my assault charge was pardoned. I am not sure how to proceed. I intend to travel in the US quite a bit. This has never been an issue before. I own property in Florida and a Time Share in Las Vegas.  I am worried I will be denied entry to the US which would be terrible because I have property in the US.

Pardons Canada:  If the Americans fingerprinted you at the border then you will need a US Entry Waiver or I-194 to return to the US.  In your case, you were not fingerprinted but they questioned you and may have flagged you in their system.  Going forward, you will need to carry your pardon paper to prove that you only had an assault conviction and that it was pardoned.  Usually the Americans are concerned with more serious offences so they may be fine with allowing you to cross.  However, they can use their own discretion at any time to allow you into the US.  If they do deny you entry and fingerprint you at the border then you will need the US Entry Waiver which we can help you to obtain.