Hi all,
I am planning to spend these holidays with my wife and kids. They want to travel to Canada. We have some family and friends there. So we are planning to visit them too.
But there is a small problem.
I was convicted of drinking under the influence of alcohol. It's been 3 years since I was set out from the rehab. And since then I have stopped drinking.
My friend told me that there I will have to go through some processed to be able to enter Canada because of this.
Since it's not been 5 years since the case, the other option is to apply for a temporary resident permit (TRP) for entering Canada. I would like to know more about the Canadian pardon applications.
How long will the whole procedure take? Has anyone traveled with a DUI? Please share what you did. Any suggestion would be really helpful for me. Thank you.
Travelling to Canada with a DUI
If you have a valid driver's licence, you should be fine driving here in Canada. Getting across the border will likely cause you some grief.
You better check with immigration Canada before flying , they are so strict about these, clear it first. thanks
I just happened to have been in an immigration office getting my own paperwork done for a student visa, when a guy came in escorted by a customs officer. I couldn't help but overhear the conversation as the officer informed him that because of a prior DUI, he would be inadmissible to enter the country. They said they brought him inside to keep the conversation confidential (which I guess shows some respect). He had a family with him and judging from the vehicle and camper in tow, I assume this was a family camping trip. Nonetheless, he was forced to turn around. So yeah, they take DUI seriously and its my understanding it's quite a process having that esponged. It is also my understanding that one is restricted for 10 years (not five). You may be granted an exception provided you have been found rehabilitated and have no criminal conviction in the past five years. This has to be processed in advance of your trip (you can't just show up at the border to do this). Also, obtaining a temporary resident permit is only done if there is an extenuating or urgent need to be in Canada (work related, care of a relative, etc.). I don't think visiting friends is considered an urgent need (but maybe family depending on how close they are). Yet I've heard others say they didn't even bring it up. Ultimately, the decision falls into the hands of whatever immigration officer you speak with on a given day. Unfortunately you can't pick and choose them.
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