Pardon vs. U.S. Entry Waiver: Which Do You Need?

Short answer: a Pardon (Record Suspension) and a U.S. Entry Waiver fix two different problems, and most people who've been denied entry to the United States because of a criminal record end up needing both. A Pardon seals your record inside Canada. A U.S. Entry Waiver is the document that actually lets you back into the United States — a Pardon on its own does not restore U.S. entry, because the U.S. does not recognize Canadian pardons and does not remove your record from its own databases.

What a Pardon (Record Suspension) Actually Fixes

A Pardon, officially a Record Suspension issued by the Parole Board of Canada, removes your record from CPIC so most standard background checks in Canada come back clean. It protects you for employment, housing, volunteering, and Canadian citizenship applications. It has no legal effect at the U.S. border: the U.S. does not recognize it, and it does not delete your record from U.S. or CBP systems.

What a U.S. Entry Waiver Actually Fixes

A U.S. Entry Waiver (Form I-192, filed through CBP's e-SAFE portal) is what restores your ability to enter the United States. It applies whether or not you have a Canadian pardon, and covers several grounds of inadmissibility — a criminal record, a prior refusal of entry, a past deportation or removal, or a visa overstay. It does not change your record in Canada; it only addresses U.S. admissibility.

How the Two Work Together

A Pardon does not substitute for a U.S. Entry Waiver, but it isn't irrelevant to one either: your Record Suspension is typically submitted as supporting documentation within the U.S. Entry Waiver application, helping demonstrate that your case in Canada has been resolved. Most people who were convicted in Canada and denied U.S. entry ultimately need both — the Pardon to resolve their record at home, and the Waiver to resolve their admissibility into the U.S.

At a Glance: Pardon vs. U.S. Entry Waiver

Issuing authority — Pardon: Parole Board of Canada. U.S. Entry Waiver: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Form I-192, via e-SAFE).

What it fixes — Pardon: your criminal record inside Canada (CPIC). U.S. Entry Waiver: your ability to enter the United States.

Where it applies — Pardon: Canada only. U.S. Entry Waiver: at the U.S. border only.

Typical cost — Pardon: government and processing fees vary by case. U.S. Entry Waiver: $1,100 USD government filing fee, plus a professional fee.

Typical processing time — Pardon: about 6 months (summary) or 12 months (indictable) once accepted by the PBC. U.S. Entry Waiver: roughly 9–12 months via CBP e-SAFE.

Validity — Pardon: indefinite unless revoked by a new conviction. U.S. Entry Waiver: typically 1, 2, or 5 years, then renewal is required.

Do you need both? — Most people denied U.S. entry over a Canadian criminal record need both: the Pardon to resolve the record in Canada, and the Waiver — supported by that Pardon — to resolve U.S. admissibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No. A Pardon (Record Suspension) only seals your record inside Canada — it has no effect on U.S. admissibility. If you've been denied entry to the U.S. because of a criminal record, you need a U.S. Entry Waiver (Form I-192) regardless of whether you also have a Canadian Pardon.

  • Usually, yes — if you were convicted in Canada and have also been denied entry to the U.S. Most people in this situation need a Pardon to resolve their record in Canada, and a U.S. Entry Waiver to restore their ability to enter the United States. If your only issue is U.S. admissibility (for example, a prior refusal of entry or an overstay with no Canadian record), a Pardon may not be relevant to your case at all.

  • No. A U.S. Entry Waiver only restores your ability to enter the United States — it has no effect on your record in Canada. If you also want your Canadian record sealed for domestic purposes (employment, housing, citizenship applications), you need a separate Pardon (Record Suspension) through the Parole Board of Canada.

  • Your Record Suspension document is typically submitted as supporting evidence within your U.S. Entry Waiver (I-192) application. It helps demonstrate that your case in Canada has been formally resolved, which can strengthen your waiver application — but it does not replace the waiver itself.

  • Government fees are set independently of Pave The Way Canada: the U.S. Entry Waiver (I-192) government filing fee is $1,100 USD, while Pardon costs vary by case. On top of any government fees, we charge one fixed professional fee agreed upfront after your free consultation — no surprise charges later.

  • A Pardon (Record Suspension) takes about 6 months for summary offences or 12 months for indictable offences once accepted by the Parole Board of Canada — 12 to 18 months total including document preparation. A U.S. Entry Waiver typically takes 9 to 12 months through CBP's e-SAFE portal. Because timelines are long, we recommend starting early, especially before a waiver renewal is due.