Entering Canada with a DUI?

Entering Canada with a DUI is tricky. There's no easy answer. Yours is not that old. And you haven't given some of the crucial factors - like did you serve any jail time for this? Were you actually convicted of the DUI or did you plead to a lesser offense?

Here's the info for overcoming the presumption that you can't visit: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/inadmissibility/permits.asp

Here's the info for determining if you can visit: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=143&top=8

A lot of it is definitely going to rest with the border officer. I've had clients get in with DUIs but they've been older than yours and most of them have pled out some something lesser like reckless driving or negligent driving.

No jail time and did a weekend of DUI education in lieu of jail time and probation over. Seems like this is pretty chancy to make this trip with my ski club. This was a shock to me for I have been to Italy in the last 2 years and drove with an international license. I will not be driving in Canada but I understand that makes absolutely no difference when trying to enter Canada. Sounds like this may not be worth it......???

And one other thing - you say your DUI is from 2012 but I am not sure if that means you were arrested in 2012 or the whole thing closed out in 2012. But keep in mind - and this is just illustrative, as I know little about Canadian immigration issues, but, in Washington, when they're assessing whether or not to expunge something and counting up timing to see if it's been long enough, they don't count from the day you were arrested. They count, instead, from the day you closed your final obligation on the case, which could mean that you were arrested in 2013, struck a deal for a lesser offense in 2014 and paid off your last court-related fine in 2015. Time towards your available-expungement date wouldn't start until 2015.

I can't tell where you're coming from...US?...but if this is an expensive trip you're planning, I would consult with an immigration lawyer to get a better sense.

You need to contact the nearest Canadian consulate and explain your situation. There is a good chance they will tell you to apply for a visa. Which is a good thing as you will know definitively if you are allowed entry.

I don't really know anything about this one, but we are in and out of Canada fairly often and I've been asked why where and how long we are staying every time. I've been asked about how much currency we are carrying, if we have food with us, if we have weapons, if we have radar detectors, but never if we've been convicted of a crime. Is the question really all that likely?

Have you considered that the USA and Canada share criminal databases? So a DUI conviction would show up on a on agent's computer screen bypassing the need to directly question a traveler "aboot" it.

Yes, the Canadian border service can and often do ask about any convictions and they do share info with the US.They even check people on pleasure who want to enter.

My mother-in-laws caregiver was going to Massachusetts to visit her sick mother. She and her husband were going to drive down, but when they got to the border crossing in New Brunswick, he wasn't allowed in to the USA because of a DUI that he got many years ago. They had to turn around and she ended up flying down. I don't know all the particulars of his DUI, but even years later they can prevent you from entering the USA. (I think this was the first time in all those years he attempted to enter the US - probably didn't even think about it being an issue).

I appreciate the responses. Yes I do know the US and Canada share databases. From reading the Canadian website material not enough time (5 years) has passed from when I full filled my obligations from my DUI to apply for rehabilitation. . I guess my question does anyone know of anyone that has successfully entered Canada as a pleasure visit on a Temporary Resident Permit without the uncertainly of being turned away at the point of entry before one arrives? It looks like this is fruitless and impossible to talk to any live person at a Canadian consulate concerning this. Most of the Canadian consulates in USA do not deal with this issue and point you back to the on line sites. I really do not want to take the chance of flying into Calgary be denied and sent home. I did contact a Canadian law office and they said they would prepare documents stating I am employed , own property, lived in the same place for 20 years, have full filled my obligations and my chance of entering was excellent..... that for $1600 dollars.. I can take another trip for that!

I would not chance it at all. 2012 is 4 years ago which is very fresh. I doubt that they would let you in. They turn people away for DUI all the time Not sure that it matters that you have lived at the same address for 20 years, or are employed etc.
Sorry.

Thanks Sharon. After much research and due diligence that seems to be the answer. I actually talked twice to one of those law firms that advertise to assist with getting entry. He was very honest with me and since this was not work nor family related and less than 5 years of my full filling my offense obligations I would very likely be denied. I am surprised why so many of us do not know this in USA. II have traveled 3 times to Europe in last 3 years and was able to drive in Italy.

So all be aware!! I am so fortunate I didn't make this trip, get denied entry and lose my monies toward this trip. I will travel to somewhere that wants me;-)