Worried about getting into Canada

[wfdiaff]

I found this
Deemed Rehabilitation

You may be deemed rehabilitated under Canadian immigration law if you only have a single DUI conviction and enough time has passed since completion of your full sentence which includes jail time, probation, reinstatement of license, and payment of all fines. If it has been more than 10 years since the completion of your sentence, and you have nothing else on your criminal record, Canadian immigration authorities will disregard your prior DUI conviction and allow you to visit the country. If you have two or more drunk driving violations or any other criminal convictions on your record, however, you will not be deemed rehabilitated and will be inadmissible to Canada without a Temporary Resident Permit or Criminal Rehabilitation. It's advisable, however, that even if you may be Deemed Rehabilitated by the simple passage of time you have a legal opinion letter prepared to explain the exact situation to Canadian immigration authorities.

 

[Patinmn]

Very interesting thread, I would never even thought of this. I have never has a DUI, but I have friends who have. Something to keep in mind If they ever go to Canada with us.

 

[KLB9]

Seams like you could also get several bites at the apple here, if you are denied entry, simply go back and try another way...

 

[kamik86]

Being from Canada, I can tell you that the same applies when crossing into the US for us!! Very strict even on those driving offenses!

That being said, I think both sides have relaxed quite a bit on those "offenses".... there are bigger fish to fry out there now a days! We cross frequently by land and air and have not been asked any of the old "ever been fingerprinted" or "ever been charged with an offence" questions in I can't even remember how long! I'm sure you will be fine! Especially if you have several stamps in your passports already from other countries!

Really they say "ever been fingerprinted" I mean I was fingerprinted when I applied for a gov security clearance and my husband was once for one of those things were they do kids so they could be identified if they go missing... I doubt that was what they were looking for.

 

[blondietink]

I live near the Canadian border on the US side. It is my understanding that on a cruise either departing Canada or stopping in Canada, that you could very well be denied boarding onto the ship and/or will not be allowed off the ship. You should really check your cruise documents for any restrictions that would deny you boarding in Canada if you make it across the border.

 

[Lando1]

Thanks for the reassuring info wfdiaff. I'm still going to be a nervous wreck for the next month but I feel a little better now. Hopefully we can waltz on through! We were also thinking about using Chilkoot tours in Skagway to take the White Pass Train past the Canadian border...does anyone know if they scan passports on this tour? If so, we will just figure out another tour to go on...I feel like the more we "push our luck", the more likely we are to run into trouble.

 

[lizabu]

Really they say "ever been fingerprinted" I mean I was fingerprinted when I applied for a gov security clearance and my husband was once for one of those things were they do kids so they could be identified if they go missing... I doubt that was what they were looking for.

I have crossed the U.S./Canada border hundreds of times and never been asked if I have ever been fingerprinted. They ask if you have ever been charged with a criminal offence. Chances are good they already know the answer before you answer them.

 

[lizabu]

Thanks for the reassuring info wfdiaff. I'm still going to be a nervous wreck for the next month but I feel a little better now. Hopefully we can waltz on through! We were also thinking about using Chilkoot tours in Skagway to take the White Pass Train past the Canadian border...does anyone know if they scan passports on this tour? If so, we will just figure out another tour to go on...I feel like the more we "push our luck", the more likely we are to run into trouble.

If you're not actually entering Canada you won't have to deal with border security.

 

[sharksfinatic17]

Thanks for the reassuring info wfdiaff. I'm still going to be a nervous wreck for the next month but I feel a little better now. Hopefully we can waltz on through! We were also thinking about using Chilkoot tours in Skagway to take the White Pass Train past the Canadian border...does anyone know if they scan passports on this tour? If so, we will just figure out another tour to go on...I feel like the more we "push our luck", the more likely we are to run into trouble.

You are required to bring your passport on this excursion, so it is a possibility.

 

[icesk8abc]

There are 2 variations of that excursion. One where you actually get off the train (passports are checked) and one where the train just goes to the top and then goes back down. We took the second one and where we turned around there was no place for any one to be to board and check passports. We were the first train to the top so we waited the longest (maybe 15 minutes). The last train up doesn't really even stop.

We were held in the same room on the ship to check in as the people who were taking the other excursion. They kept emphasizing to them that they must have their passport. We just needed photo ID and our cruise ship card.

 

[ksucats]

Any experience with a diversion? I got a diversion over 15 years ago in Kansas. I don't currently have an Alaska cruise planned, but would like to in the near future. I am assuming I would be OK, but have always wondered. Since the topic was brought up, I thought I would ask.

 

[jetskigrl]

Thanks for the reassuring info wfdiaff. I'm still going to be a nervous wreck for the next month but I feel a little better now. Hopefully we can waltz on through! We were also thinking about using Chilkoot tours in Skagway to take the White Pass Train past the Canadian border...does anyone know if they scan passports on this tour? If so, we will just figure out another tour to go on...I feel like the more we "push our luck", the more likely we are to run into trouble.

We took the bus/train excursion and were on the bus when we crossed into Canada. The agent came on the bus and just visually verified our passports. The tour guide also checked our passports before we got on the bus just to make sure we had them. I don't believe the passport number was ever sent in advance so I don't think they had anything other than the visual verification.

On the way back, a US Customs agent came on the train when we were back in Skagway and did the same visual verification.

 

[turtle27]

If you could, I would plan on going up earlier, hours, even an extra day if you can, or maybe even just send your husband up early to keep the kids shielded from this. Although, teaching moment? This way, you are not rushed and have time to go through the process. I would go ahead and fill out the rehabilitation forms and get the process started, even though it does not look likely that you will get that processed in time for your cruise.

I would also do what others have suggested and go to the Canadian Embassy, they MAY be able to speed through one of the those TRP's for you. Also, if you have any information from the DWAI, I would keep that with you. I would rather spend a bit more effort now than miss out on the cruise and losing the $$. But that is me and my opinion.

It appears as though you may either get through fine or not, either way I would not risk it by going into Canada again during the cruise, what if your husband did get detained. Just because it happened one way on an excursion at one point does not mean the exact same will happen to you.

Bottom line, it looks like this could be an adventurous trip and it sounds like you have a contingency plan, I would just get the ball rolling now in case of any future trips and like another poster stated, at least you could say that you had applied. And as others have pointed out, at no point should you lie, this will not earn you any favor points and will likely make the agent upset, which will not lead to them being helpful.

 

[wfdiaff]

Something else to remember. Attitude goes a long way. I taught a class that had a lot of State Patrol in it, when class was over I went up to the senior ranking Patrolman and mentioned to him that I gave him some valuable information and that it was his turn to give me some. He asked what I needed, I replied "What is the secret password to getting out of a ticket?" he answered "It usually starts with I'm sorry". Well played and valuable lesson sir. Be happy and in good spirits, for the most part they are there to do their job not wreck your vacation.

 

[Lando1]

Fortunately we are going up the day before our cruise so we'll have all day to file paperwork and wait if we need to. I've heard we're just as tough on the Canadians. Who would have thought there would be such a strict border between our nations?!

 

[DVC4US]

We did the Chilkoot tour - train/bus/dog cart ride - agent boarded the train and visually checked all passports before we boarded the bus and headed into Canada. SIL was with us and had no problems here.

We were surprised that he got into Canada at the airport with no problem and was detained upon the return of our cruise - we spent 5 days in Vancouver before the cruise. This is pure speculation but we figured the cruise gave them extra days to check the manifest of the ships. We had 1 or 2 other ships in port when we came back and my daughter said she couldn't believe the amount of luggage that was pulled into the back room - all of that belonged to people they were going to detain disembarking the ships.

It's like I said before, if you do get in with no problems please be prepared to be detained when you get off the ship. I'm not sure what your plans are when you disembark but just make sure you plan for this just in case. Also, if you go back into the room with your husband(I think daughter had no choice) you will not be able to use your cell phone.

 

[blondietink]

Once you fill in your cruise documents online with your passport info. the Canadian government will go through the cruise manifest thoroughly. You very well might be denied boarding onto the ship and/or be escorted to the nearest holding center. That is if you make it across the border in the first place. You need to be very well prepared for many different scenarios. Sometimes if the Canadian government has enough time to run the manifests before sailing and they find a person who should not be in their country, they will notify the cruise company who will in turn notify that person that they cannot cruise.

I have seen people escorted off the ship and denied boarding for having warrants out for their arrest, back child support, DWI's, etc.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Fortunately we are going up the day before our cruise so we'll have all day to file paperwork and wait if we need to. I've heard we're just as tough on the Canadians. Who would have thought there would be such a strict border between our nations?!

I wouldn't wait until your there to fill out paperwork if you need to. I'd get in touch with the cosuler in the nearest large city to you a soon as posable and see if you do ned anything

 

[Lando1]

Hopefully I'm not being overly optimistic but he completed his sentencing requirements over 10 years ago so he should be "deemed rehabilitated". I have his documents on hand in case we need to file for a temporary resident permit as well. Our TA had no idea about any of this and she called DCL (didn't give them our names) and apparently the rep she spoke with hadn't heard of this being an issue before. He certainly didn't indicate to her that Disney might not let us board even though we made it through the border. I'll make sure to post what happens to us (good or bad). I just hope this thread will educate others out there so they can have more time to prepare or change their plans.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Hopefully I'm not being overly optimistic but he completed his sentencing requirements over 10 years ago so he should be "deemed rehabilitated". I have his documents on hand in case we need to file for a temporary resident permit as well. Our TA had no idea about any of this and she called DCL (didn't give them our names) and apparently the rep she spoke with hadn't heard of this being an issue before. He certainly didn't indicate to her that Disney might not let us board even though we made it through the border. I'll make sure to post what happens to us (good or bad). I just hope this thread will educate others out there so they can have more time to prepare or change their plans.

Skip taking to DCL and your TA and call the nerest Canadain Counslete to you