Can't go to Canada if you've had a DUI

[sam_gordon]

I learned something new yesterday. Apparently if you have EVER had DUI conviction, you can't enter Canada.

If you have ever been arrested or convicted for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, regardless of whether it was a misdemeanor or felony offense, you may be criminally inadmissible to Canada and denied entry.

https://www.canadaduientrylaw.com/#:~:text=If you have ever been,to Canada and denied entry.

I assume our Canadian members knew this. I read about it on Cruise Critic and thought others might find it interesting.

 

[soccerdad72]

I don't think that's correct. I know I've been to Canada with someone I know to have a prior DWI.

 

[kdonnel]

It is not just DUI that can make someone criminally inadmissible.

A person can always try for criminal rehabilitation.

https://www.temporaryresidentpermitcanada.com/criminal-rehabilitation.php

 

[SirDuff]

I don't think that's correct. I know I've been to Canada with someone I know to have a prior DWI.

It is correct; however, not everyone is caught. Also, as kdonnel says, there are ways to get approvel.

 

[sam_gordon]

It is not just DUI that can make someone criminally inadmissible.

A person can always try for criminal rehabilitation.

https://www.temporaryresidentpermitcanada.com/criminal-rehabilitation.php

But one would need to know about the limitation, learn about the rehabilitation, and then apply for it. How many people know about it to begin with?

 

[kdonnel]

But one would need to know about the limitation, learn about the rehabilitation, and then apply for it. How many people know about it to begin with?

I would assume that anyone with a criminal record would know that it might impact their ability to enter any country.

But I guess if someone is dumb/careless enough to have a criminal record they are probably dumb/careless enough to show up at a border and be shocked when they are turned away.

Too many in the US see a DUI as a right of passage. Everyone has one, right? So they don't even see it as a criminal offense.

 

[SC Minnie]

The company I work for has multiple locations in Canada. I know one person that was a DUI that has gone to several of those locations a number of times. So....

 

[SirDuff]

I would assume that anyone with a criminal record would know that it might impact their ability to enter any country.

But I guess if someone is dumb/careless enough to have a criminal record they are probably dumb/careless enough to show up at a border and be shocked when they are turned away.

Too many in the US see a DUI as a right of passage. Everyone has one, right? So they don't even see it as a criminal offense.

My understanding is that the issue is the difference in how DUI mapped within the US and Canadian criminal codes whereby it is higher/worse in the Canadian criminal code than the American one. Therefore, DUI charges that wouldn't trigger issues in the US (in terms of having a criminal record) are flagged as such in Canada. Might not be using the right terms (or could just be wrong).

 

[lanejudy]

It comes up occasionally on the Cruise forum. I believe it's because Canada considers DUI a felony even if the US considers it as a misdemeanor. There are ways to get it lifted, or noted as "rehabilitated" but it can take time.

 

[disneychrista]

The fact it counts arrest without conviction bothers me a little.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I believe its for a certain amount of time.
A family friend's son had one probably 20 years ago at this point.
For x amount of years he was not allowed to drive through Canada but now can but generally just choses not to.

 

[easyas123]

Apparently if you have EVER had DUI conviction, you can't enter Canada.

from the article....you may be criminally inadmissible to Canada and denied entry

Can't and you may be are two different things.

And employee of ours (had a DUI 10 years ago) went on his honeymoon to Canada last year.

 

[weewuvvdisney]

Canadian here. It works both ways. Had a friend who had a DUI. He couldn't enter the US for 10 years and I think he had to take care of something before he could enter. Not sure exactly what had to be done.

 

[sam_gordon]

Canadian here. It works both ways. Had a friend who had a DUI. He couldn't enter the US for 10 years and I think he had to take care of something before he could enter. Not sure exactly what had to be done.

I assume that was because of US laws?

 

[weewuvvdisney]

I assume that was because of US laws?

Yes. He didn't even try to go over the border during the 10 years.

 

[dez1978]

I would assume that anyone with a criminal record would know that it might impact their ability to enter any country.

But I guess if someone is dumb/careless enough to have a criminal record they are probably dumb/careless enough to show up at a border and be shocked when they are turned away.

Too many in the US see a DUI as a right of passage. Everyone has one, right? So they don't even see it as a criminal offense.

I don't know of anyone who thinks of it like that. But I do know that if you get a suspended execution of sentence, meaning you get like 2 yrs probation, and if you complete that probation without incident, that conviction is then "not public". Like it's still there, and will show up on a law enforcement check, and can count as a prior conviction, but if you do not have to report it as a conviction on job applications or rental applications and such. Of course there are exceptions to that. I'm sure if you apply as a school bus driver, they ask specifically about those. But to answer the general "have you ever had an criminal convictions, misdemeanor or felony" you could truthfully answer no on that. This may vary state to state.
Edit: So they might not think about it as being a criminal offense because in most ways that it affects people, it doesn't count in this case.

 

[VandVsmama]

That's interesting! Canada definitely gets to decide for themselves which visitors they do or do not want entering their country.

 

[kymom99]

I have a friend who got a DUI years ago and I’ve been to Canada with her. Now, I’m not sure how that conviction was finalized. Maybe she pleaded it down.

 

[sam_gordon]

Don't know if this had anything to do with those who say they've gone to Canada with a DUI...

Prior to December 2018, if a visitor could prove it had been more than ten years since the sentence was finished, and he or she had no other arrest history, Canadian authorities may disregard an old DUI and grant the person entry into the country. This policy has since changed! As of December 2018, a DUI is a serious crime in Canada and such an offense no longer qualifies for automatic Deemed Rehabilitation after ten years.

From the link in my OP.

 

[goofyernmost]

I don't think that is true but even if it was, I never had a Canadian Border patrol person ask me anything other than what is your destination. There were only two answers I ever gave them. It was either "to visit my in-laws" or "headed to Montreal and the smoked meat sandwich that has my name on it." Now comparatively, the US patrol people were incredibly nosy and wanted a complete run down on what you did, what you bought, how long were you there. And if you looked even a little bit sneaky they would rummage through your car. Even had them take my hubcaps off looking for drugs. I once had spilt some white powdered car wash in the trunk. I spent a couple of hours waiting for them to decide what it was before they let me go. And that was in the 1970's. I was young and a lot less soft in the belly back then and must have looked like a prime pusher or user.