30-05-2014
Crossing the border when travelling can be a stressful experience for many, especially when one is unsure of the rules and policies concerning border crossing and immigration. To make matters worse, many people do not know that border service agents are allowed to look through an individual’s personal electronic devices such as their cell phones and laptops. Should the border agent have suspicions as to the reason why one wants to enter Canada, they can ask to search the devices to look for any text or information that would confirm their suspicions.
A sure fire way of avoiding any unwanted technology or other kinds of checks is to do your research ahead of time if you have any doubts about your eligibility to enter Canada. There are a variety of reasons for which someone can be considered inadmissible, such as for medical reasons or past criminal convictions. Upon crossing the border, if the agent is suspicious of one’s intentions to cross, such as thinking an individual is coming to Canada to work without a permit, then they may do additional checks on the person. Any evidence in an e-mail or text message can be used against the individual, making your own piece of technology work against you. These digital tracks are making it easier for border service agents to grant or deny access to travellers. It is important to do your research prior to traveling to avoid any potentially irritating situations from occurring.
For more information regarding admissibility to Canada, click here.
FWCanada is a Montreal-based immigration law firm that provides professional legal services on Canadian immigration. For more tips and updates on Canadian immigration follow FWCanada on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.
