Originally Posted by
ArcherDvr
That doesn't even make sense. Why even mention anything about ten years if you go through the same procedure as the 5 year process. After 5 years you have to apply, after 10 years, you are deemed rehabilitated. Again it's not in my mind, it is what is posted on the Canadian GOVERNMENT website. Now if you want to work or live in Canada, you have to apply for a VISA like everybody else. But in order to be deemed rehabilitated, you do not have to apply, only meet the criteria. Here is another link to the Canadian immigration website clearly stating that there is no application for being deemed rehabilitated. So either you misunderstood your friends story or Canada just really doesn't like your friend. Or i guess the Canadian GOVERNMENT website could have been wrong for at least the past three years that I've followed it, but somehow I doubt that.
Here's the link, see for yourself.
Overcoming criminal inadmissibility
What I will concede is that you have to show the immigration official or border agent that you meet the requirement for deemed rehabilitated. So maybe you can send that information to the consulate and they can give you a paper or something, I don't know. Maybe that's what your friend did. But it clearly states there is no application for being deemed rehabilitated. My understanding is that as long as you can bring proof to the border official that its been 10years since your sentence completion, you are good to go and dont have to pay anything.
I didn't say it made sense. I think it's a total ripoff to still have to send $200 knowing that you are supposedly "rehabilitated." BUT, I am simply relaying what my buddy went through to get a simple letter with his picture at the top, stating that he can enter Canada now. They sent his application back twice saying he was missing information, etc. and when he called to find out the status, he was told that when he calls his application would take longer because they pulled it an moved it to the back of the pile. I am just telling you what my buddy went through and that people should take the time to actually make a PHONE CALL and ask them to clarify before assuming they can just self declare rehabilitation. They made him go through the process, but if you think you can bypass it good luck to you.