Inadmissibility to Canada: Hunting and Fishing Trips

Overview

Canada’s diverse natural landscape allows for a wide variety of wildlife and terrain that appeal to hunters and anglers of all skill levels. Bears, fox, and deer are among the many animals that can be found in Canada’s forests, while salmon and trout are among the many species of fish that populate its lakes and rivers.

For many hunting and fishing aficionados, Canada is considered the ideal setting to practice their sport. For example, thousands of Americans decide to come to Canada to spend their vacation on a hunting or fishing trip in the great white North annually. Although most of these individuals will enter the country without incident, those with a criminal record could face an issue and risk being denied entry to Canada because they are criminally inadmissible.

For those American citizens who have even a minor blemish on their criminal record, travelling to Canada might not be as easy a task as they anticipate. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are turned away at the border and denied entry every day for crimes such as reckless driving, driving under the influence (DUI), and petty theft. If you have more than one such offence, or even a single more serious offence, the resulting inadmissibility is never resolved simply through the passage of time, or what is known as deemed rehabilitation.

If you are planning a trip to Canada and are unsure whether or not you are criminally inadmissible, it is wise to check with an experienced immigration attorney. This is particularly true in the context of a hunting or fishing trip for a few reasons.

Hunting and Fishing Trips are Generally Expensive

Anyone who has gone on a hunting or fishing trip, or has looked into going on one, can attest to this. When you take into account transportation to the site, lodging, and equipment rental, hunting and fishing trips can carry a hefty price tag. Many of the associated expenses are non-refundable, which means that if you are turned away at the border, you will not only be deprived of an unforgettable experience, but some of your hard-earned money as well.

People Often Go on Hunting and Fishing Trips in a Group

Because of this, an inadmissibility issue when attempting to enter Canada can lead to uncomfortable and potentially problematic situations. Individuals travelling with friends or family members may be embarrassed if stopped at the border, particularly if they were previously unaware of whatever is on one of their travelling party’s record. A potentially even more unpleasant and troublesome scenario is if you are traveling with work colleagues or an employer. Criminal charges on your record have the potential of causing repercussions at work, including the possibility of losing your job.

Travelling to the Canadian Border Can be a Long Trip

Depending on your place of residence and your mode of transportation, the Canadian border may be far away. Consequently, a refusal at the border could be particularly distressing due to the significant waste of time and money. Logistical issues can also ensue if you are travelling in a group and some members of your party are not refused entry and decide to go on without you. You would have to figure out your own way home from the border, which is not always easy or cheap.

Do you enjoy Hunting or Fishing and Believe you may be Criminally Inadmissible to Canada? Find out How to Prepare Yourself Before Attempting to Enter the Country:

A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is a solution that can grant temporary access to someone who is currently inadmissible to Canada. A TRP application should only be submitted for significant travel and can be granted from the duration of a stay up to three years, depending on the reasons for entry. Typically, travel such as hunting or fishing is usually not viewed by immigration officers as the most important reason for entering Canada and this can hurt the chances of success for a TRP application, especially if it is not well-prepared. For this reason, ensuring that your application conforms as much as possible to what immigration authorities are looking for in a successful TRP application is key to maximizing your chances of approval.

A criminal rehabilitation application approved by the Canadian government is a permanent solution that allows indefinite travel to Canada If you have been denied entry to Canada, a Canadian immigration officer may suggest criminal rehabilitation as a method to eliminate future denials. Once an applicant is approved, they no longer require a TRP for entry to the country.

A legal opinion letter can also be of assistance to you. An experienced Canadian immigration lawyer can draft a letter on your behalf explaining to Canadian authorities the relevant facts of your situation and the case for them allowing you into Canada.