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DUI and crossing the Canadian border

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briana

Junior Member
US DUI and crossing Canadian border

I am a Canadian citizen and my husband is a US citizen. In 2001 he was arrested for drunk driving, and yes, he is inadmissible to Canada because of it. We are going through the process right now actually.
The rules are as follows: If one is convicted of an offense that would be an offense in Canada you must file either Rehabilitation application or a Temporary Resident permit, to enter the country. You are only eligible to file for rehabilitation 5 years after you have completed your sentence, paid your fines etc. For example: if you are sentenced to jail time, you can not apply until 5 years have passed since you were released. If you lost your license you can not apply until 5 years after your license was reinstated.
If you are not deemed eligible for rehabilitation as not enough time has passed, you may apply for temp. resident permit. This permit will only be accepted for legitimate reasons to enter Canada, you can not use it just to go on vacation, and it's only valid for the dates you specify to be in Canada.
There may be ways around this,but haven't come across anything yet, and I have been looking into this for awhile now. It really does suck, I know. Sorry.
 


Just Blue

Senior Member
I am a Canadian citizen and my husband is a US citizen. In 2001 he was arrested for drunk driving, and yes, he is inadmissible to Canada because of it. We are going through the process right now actually.
The rules are as follows: If one is convicted of an offense that would be an offense in Canada you must file either Rehabilitation application or a Temporary Resident permit, to enter the country. You are only eligible to file for rehabilitation 5 years after you have completed your sentence, paid your fines etc. For example: if you are sentenced to jail time, you can not apply until 5 years have passed since you were released. If you lost your license you can not apply until 5 years after your license was reinstated.
If you are not deemed eligible for rehabilitation as not enough time has passed, you may apply for temp. resident permit. This permit will only be accepted for legitimate reasons to enter Canada, you can not use it just to go on vacation, and it's only valid for the dates you specify to be in Canada.
There may be ways around this,but haven't come across anything yet, and I have been looking into this for awhile now. It really does suck, I know. Sorry.

Briana, Why do you think this sucks? Why should the citizens of Canada risk having their children killed by a foreign drunk driver? I wish that the US had such laws...

Convicted Drunks have already proven that they can't be trusted...tough luck to them!
 

Shay-Pari'e

Senior Member
I am a Canadian citizen and my husband is a US citizen. In 2001 he was arrested for drunk driving, and yes, he is inadmissible to Canada because of it. We are going through the process right now actually.
The rules are as follows: If one is convicted of an offense that would be an offense in Canada you must file either Rehabilitation application or a Temporary Resident permit, to enter the country. You are only eligible to file for rehabilitation 5 years after you have completed your sentence, paid your fines etc. For example: if you are sentenced to jail time, you can not apply until 5 years have passed since you were released. If you lost your license you can not apply until 5 years after your license was reinstated.
If you are not deemed eligible for rehabilitation as not enough time has passed, you may apply for temp. resident permit. This permit will only be accepted for legitimate reasons to enter Canada, you can not use it just to go on vacation, and it's only valid for the dates you specify to be in Canada.
There may be ways around this,but haven't come across anything yet, and I have been looking into this for awhile now. It really does suck, I know. Sorry.

Umm, why do you think that sucks? Do you want more drunk drivers in Canada? (That being your husband). Funny how this was your first post.
 

Just Blue

Senior Member
I wonder what 5 years and paying over $2000 dollars in fees to the canadian does to correct that?

Just asking.

I guess if it is that important to get into Canada you do it....Just the price you pay for doing something as dumb as drunk driving...

I guess you can tell I don't have a lot of pity for drunks..huh?..lol...
 

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