# What's the deal with Canada?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-canada/190896>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 25, 2003, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-canada/190896 "2003-07-25T15:48:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Duderdude2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@Duderdude2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duderdude2)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-canada/190896/41 "2003-07-28T08:04:22Z")

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I have a question based around an entirely hypothetical situation inspired by another post in this thread:

If I wanted to use Canada as a shortcut, and as a result would only be in the country for 3 hours, is there any reason why I couldn’t just tell the Customs officer I’ll be staying longer than I intend to (for instance, 3 days) simply to prevent a potential hassle? How would they know?

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**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-canada/190896/42 "2003-07-28T08:17:20Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> **Eva Luna** : To clear up some misconceptions, a non-U.S. citizen with criminal convictions can frequently apply for a waiver, especially if the convictions were minor…

Thanks for that info, that bears looking into.

I just took the judge at her word when she said 'You may _think_ that I’m letting you off with nothing, but abandon all hope of ever visiting the United States again, _Mwahhahahahahaha!_" Yeah, I appeal-to-authoritied myself, I guess. There’s an ironic joke in there somewhere, but I can’t be arsed to dig it out. )

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**Author:** ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-canada/190896/43 "2003-07-28T11:35:17Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by kiwiboy \*  
> If it makes you feel any better **syjstr** you’re not the only person refused entry recently. Three NZ Maori players couldn’t go on a rugby tour there because of similar convictions - [Link](http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2578030a6100,00.html).

Dutch footballer Patrick Kluivert was also [refused entry to the USA recently](http://www.soccerage.com/en/13/p0065.html).

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**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-canada/190896/44 "2003-07-28T12:26:05Z")

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I think the factual question has been answered, so I’ll close this thread.

bibliophage  
moderator GQ

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