BEAR MAPLE

I'm still in the UK and I am going through the motions for working as a trucker in Canada, but the people I'll work for have asked me if I am admissible to drive over the border into the US to make deliveries.
I have called the US embassy twice and they fobbed me off. I even called the pre-clearance in Dublin, Ireland to ask if they knew how I could find out, and they said I would have to travel to the US and try to get in! How helpful is that?
15 years ago I got a criminal record for something stupid - I had a cricket bat in my car and the police said it was a dangerous weapon and I got done for it. I know, it's daft! Also, when I was 19 and an idiot, I nicked a car with my mates. That was 27 years ago... BUT, does that mean I am inadmissible to the US or not.
Please help as I am not getting any info from the 'official' channels at all.
I will be resident in Canada and working for a Canadian company. Do I need a waiver for the US? Or a non-immigrant visa for the US? If so, what forms will I need to fill out.
Thanks in advance.

Aviator

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...erstay,-waiver

crg

You need to apply for a visa to find out. To get an opinion from the US consulate about your fitness to travel, you need to fill out the form, pay the fee, and go to the interview. You should get your APCO from the UK.

Unless the car theft led to you being found guilty of an offense where the max sentence was more than one year or the sentence suspended or imposed was more than 6 months, it's likely that you don't need a waiver. Merely having the bat/weapon in your car is normally not a problem. The car theft may be a problem unless it was only joyriding. It may come down to if the intent was to permanently deny the owner of the property, what the charge was, and the max sentence possible.

Even if you need a waiver, it will likely be granted based on the time that has passed.

BEAR MAPLE

thank you Aviator.

BEAR MAPLE

thankyou crg much appreciated.

BEAR MAPLE

Hi, for the theft of the car I got a fine and the cricket bat/weapon I got 12 months cond. discharge and a fine.
Does this mean I don't need a waiver?
Thanks

ian-mstm

With respect, crg told you what you needed to know. The actual punishment you got is irrelevant. What is important, is the maximum punishment you could have received had they decided to throw the book at you. That will be the basis for US immigration's decision. If you don't know the answer to that, you'd best find out.

Ian

Pulaski

I am not an expert on NAFTA rules as they apply to truck drivers, however under certain circumstances I understand that a truck driver can cross the border to make a delivery in the US, under NAFTA rules and without a visa or other driver-specific permission from the US. This was a part of the NAFTA agreement, and was somewhat controversial as it applied to Mexican trucks entering from the south (because some were reportedly less well maintained than US trucks), and the US delayed implementing the NAFTA rules, in so far as they applied to Mexican trucks, for several years.

flat to the mat

FWIW , will you be a permanent resident straightaway or will you be temporary ? Generally if you have a criminal record you will NOT be granted entry into the U.S. as a trucker , period . However you could try applying for an I-94 green card and see what happens , this and a passport are all you need to cross the border as a truck driver . Contact the Dept of Homeland Security at the crossing most frequently used by your prospective employer , and be prepared to bend over and take it

P.S. I you're hauling Hazmat (dangerous goods) you will need a FAST card and that could create more problems if you have history , but this isn't reqd for general freight.

ian-mstm

I'm pretty sure you didn't mean to write it this way, since there is no such thing as an "I-94 green card". What there is, though, is a green I-94W which is used for the Visa Waiver Program.


Yes, I agree.

Ian

crg

There is absolutely no difference between the criminal grounds of inadmissibility for a trucker vs. a tourist.

FAST and other "trusted traveler" programs have their own criteria, but people with minor records that are disclosed have been known to be aproved to participate in FAST.

BEAR MAPLE

Hi everyone. Thanks so far for all your help. It still seems a little greyish to be honest.
Just another query - would it be a good idea to apply for a Canadian pardon to make things easier?
Thanks again.

crg

I highly doubt Canada can pardon for a conviction that occurred outside of Canada.

Either way, the US doesn't recognize pardons unless granted by the US president, or governor of a US state. A foreign pardon doesn't have any impact on US admissibility.

BEAR MAPLE

can anyone recommend a good immigration company here in the uk?

many thanks

Steve_

NAFTA isn't relevant, he's not Canadian.