Getting into Canada with a DUI Conviction

[Adam Gibbs]

Watched a guy and his family get turned around and have to go back when trying to cross this past summer. As far as I know, it's been like this for a few years at least as I remember hearing about it in 2016 when crossing the border.

 

[Cfree76]

Watched a guy and his family get turned around and have to go back when trying to cross this past summer. As far as I know, it's been like this for a few years at least as I remember hearing about it in 2016 when crossing the border.

Its been that way both way for years...just got a little bit more restrictive now.

 

[archer109]

Anyone had issues with reckless driving? I am gonna contact that website and ask them as well. It was from back in 2011.


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[cmahoney]

Just tell them you’re from Syria and you will be all good.


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[rayporter]

either they use facial recognition or they have some agents that can read minds.

I know one guy that has got the 2 hour Q&A 3 times at the border. once he got the full blown tear down coming back. no DUI either.

 

[cuerro viejo]

Lol so do a lot of canadians

The reality vs expectations are much different.

Nuevo Laredo, Acuna, Pierdras, and Matamoros aren’t Cancun.

I miss hunting down there, but it’s just not the same anymore. Honestly problem is cartels and south/central Americans, not so much Mexico residents.

 

[bowtech840]

We’ve gone fishing up there for years. We’ve had ppl with DUIs get turned back and also have had them get through. One guy got through one year and couldn’t the next. We were told it’s up to the officer on duty which I always thought was crap. With this new law at least it should be a little more clear wether you are getting in or not and could save the headaches.





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[KHNC]

Yet there are liquor stores on nearly EVERY corner is Sask. Irony much?

 

[16Bore]

Take off you hoser.....

They should build a wall....or slalom course....too keep the drunks out.

 

[timberland]

I've gotten through before without getting checked. I've also gotten pulled in and questioned. Since I had a DUI on my record , I was given the choice to turn around and go back , or pay a temporary residence fee and go through. Paid the fee, and decided I didn't really care for Canada. Answer their questions, nothing more.

How much was the temporary fee? a vendor of mine took a sales group to Canada, and a guy one the bus was very inebriated and load going through customs. when the agents researched him, they found his DUI, which put the whole groups trip in jeopardy.
The story goes that the agents offered a "temporary visa" for $200 (cash) that would be refunded when reentering the USA. He gladly paid up, but when they hit the border on the way back, the USA agents basically laughed at him, saying he got took and there was no refund.

 

[Kootenay Hunter]

Works both ways folks. A Canadian can be refused entry into the US for having invested in Cannabis company stock. Not to mention admitting to smoking pot in Canada where it is now legal, even when crossing to Wash where it is also legal as the border is Fed. It's all a little ridiculous.

At least you don't have to live with the other new drunk driving laws: a police officer can get a breath/blood test from you up to 2 hours AFTER driving if deemed suspicious. That means you could have swerved for a pothole and some asshat calls the cops because they think you're drunk. Next comes two mounties to your house, you've been home for an hour and having a beer, watching the game, you are now possibly convicted of drunk driving. Guilty until proven innocent, the burden of proof is on the convicted to prove you weren't drinking: police state laws! Imagine what could happen if vindictive people abuse that law! Lawyers are lining up to challenge it.

I'm sure when Turdo gets ousted in Oct that law will be revised with some common sense.

I live closer to the border than most, crossing often, and I've experienced both pricks and great guards on both sides. It's luck of the draw.

 

[IdahoElk]

They don't have open borders?

 

[Poser]

I used to assist in obtaining work visas for touring bands in Canada. Basically, they need to be convinced that you aren’t a threat to the safety of Canadian citizens. The legal fees for a work visa for a individual with a DUI was usually less than $500 so a tourists visa should be far simpler but I would be proactive with the paperwork.

 

[Rackmastr]

Just to be clear, that website link isn't law or policy. Its a statement by a website. Current policy is not as its posted on that website, its an opinion.

DUI's from before Dec 18th are being treated the same way that they have for the past number of years. If a person was to get a new DUI and attempt to enter Canada though, it would change his/her plans as they would not become 'deemed' in a 10 year period any longer and would need to seek 'Criminal Rehabilitation' to enter Canada.

Policies are still being adjusted from what I've seen, and anyone with a DUI in the past that has been 'deemed' is still considered to be deemed as of today. I'd imagine that this will likely remain something similar for policy going forward but couldn't be sure.

 

[Agross]

Weird. Don't drive drunk and it's a non- issue. Who would have imagined?

How much was the temporary fee? a vendor of mine took a sales group to Canada, and a guy one the bus was very inebriated and load going through customs. when the agents researched him, they found his DUI, which put the whole groups trip in jeopardy.
The story goes that the agents offered a "temporary visa" for $200 (cash) that would be refunded when reentering the USA. He gladly paid up, but when they hit the border on the way back, the USA agents basically laughed at him, saying he got took and there was no refund.

yeh that's what we had to pay, in cash It was probably ten years ago now. It's not refundable. But it's either pay it or turn around. You are considered a "temporary resident". Might be different now. They ask you the exact dates you will be there.

 

[Agross]

Oops , not sure how I got that first quote in there. Thanks for that post by the way , captain obvious

 

[Rackmastr]

yeh that's what we had to pay, in cash It was probably ten years ago now. It's not refundable. But it's either pay it or turn around. You are considered a "temporary resident". Might be different now. They ask you the exact dates you will be there.

Canada still offers Temporary Resident Permits, with certain requirements needing to be met to be considered for one.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...admissibility/temporary-resident-permits.html

 

[Trial153]

I think this is all convoluted bullshit no matter what side of the border your on. If you going to make rule then make it clear so everyone understands it and can comply.

 

[Agross]

I think this is all convoluted bullshit no matter what side of the border your on. If you going to make rule then make it clear so everyone understands it and can comply.

Agree. I can't believe it's up to their discretion . Whether they are having a good day or bad day. What kind of mood they are in. They should have a cut and dried guideline. And I'm not saying this for just going into Canada. I've had them be huge pricks coming back into Michigan. When crossing , answer their questions, nothing more, nothing less. Let the driver do the talking unless the others are addressed. We were told that before we crossed. We told that to everybody in the vehicle. Well we got to the border, and one of the idiots with us started chirping from the back seat how he used to go to the strip clubs there back in high school. The border agent said , well since its been so long since you've been here why don't you pull over and get checked out. That's when several of us had to pay the fee. It was a quiet ride for a while after that. Live and learn. Some beautuful area up in Ontario , and I've had a lot of fun on several bear hunts up there. Was planning on doing another in 2020. Guess I better do some research first.

 

[Rackmastr]

Agree. I can't believe it's up to their discretion . Whether they are having a good day or bad day. What kind of mood they are in. They should have a cut and dried guideline. And I'm not saying this for just going into Canada. I've had them be huge pricks coming back into Michigan. When crossing , answer their questions, nothing more, nothing less. Let the driver do the talking unless the others are addressed. We were told that before we crossed. We told that to everybody in the vehicle. Well we got to the border, and one of the idiots with us started chirping from the back seat how he used to go to the strip clubs there back in high school. The border agent said , well since its been so long since you've been here why don't you pull over and get checked out. That's when several of us had to pay the fee. It was a quiet ride for a while after that. Live and learn. Some beautuful area up in Ontario , and I've had a lot of fun on several bear hunts up there. Was planning on doing another in 2020. Guess I better do some research first.

I believe there are countless times when an officer should be able to use discretion to allow someone entry to Canada who is inadmissible for certain reasons. There are several reasons why facilitating the admission of a traveller is beneficial or can be done for several reasons. Hunters or vacations are but a minor reason. What if a person has a child in Canada and cannot visit without the officer having discretion and allowing that inadmissible person into Canada? What if an inadmissible person wanted to see their dying parent or bury their parent but were not allowed in?

The world is not cut and dry. There are however, guidelines in how officers come to their decisions, and making a 'black and white' rule that just excludes everyone likely doesn't do much good for any country. I personally have seen countless times when a person who would otherwise be inadmissible was allowed entry for a ton of reasons (hunting and vacations included) depending on the seriousness of the offence, time that has passed, purpose of the trip, etc.

Anyways, info is there for anyone who needs it. If someone had a specific question shoot me a PM, glad to help.