Cruisin To Alaska, but have a Canada question....?

Question

I will be booking an Alaskan cruise for September and the couple that I am lookin at stop in various places in Canada......My question: I have a DUI on my record from 1993(15 years ago). Will they let me on shore at the Canadien stops? I heard they may not letya........ Thank you for reponses.....

Answer 1

I doubt that anyone could say for certain either way but...

if it was a state offence as opposed to a Federal offence then odds are high that they wouldn't be aware of it. Also, Cdn Customs wouldn't have had a record of that sort of offence prior to 9/11 so unless they've been provided with and have uploaded lots of archived data, they wouldn't have it. In my experience (as a Canadian) the US Customs are far more formal and rigorous than in Canada. I'd say your chances of having a problem are slim to nil but you won't know for sure until the time comes. Have your paperwork ready, try to look them in the eye and be as casual and relaxed as possible. And whatever you do, if they ask you if you've ever been convicted of a criminal offence try to appear ever so slightly offended, look him straight in the eye and say "no, never" in a firm voice without any hesitation. If you do say yes then you're screwed; they're almost surely just asking to see how you react - not because they actually know anything about you. But maybe pack a couple of good books just in case... Bon voyage - I've heard it's a fantastic cruise.

Answer 2

I would call the US consulate and ask, I would not think they would stop you.

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Answer 3

AKPilot is right, DUI is a felony offense here in Canada. Even if Canadian Border personnel ask you any questions DO NOT LIE! You will be found out and you will be promptly denied entry into Canada.

Answer 4

Good question, my friend was held up in immigration entering by land because he had a road side suspension while attending college about 30 years ago - they eventually let him into Canada, 6 hours later and a phone call to me to make sure he was coming to visit me.

They asked me his address, how to spell his name, which is unusual, where he worked, how long he would be staying and a lot of other IMO DUMB questions --

He almost missed the last sailing to Comox because of this IMO overly zealous border guard --

So I would say its going to be a problem. It IS a felony in Canada and as such the USA doesnt usually allow Cdns with a DUI into their country .

Answer 5

In Canada a DUI is considered a felony and they will not allow you into the country, even if the charge was a misdemeanor in the US . After 5 years since your conviction, you can appeal to the Canadian Consulate General for a waiver which would allow you to enter the country. The approval of this waiver is dependant on your ability to convince the consulate general that you have been rehabilitated. In the case of a single, 15 year old DUI, this not usually very hard to do.

This is the Seattle Consulate General's website:

http://geo.international.gc.ca/can-am/se...

I would STRONGLY recommend against mr. peabody's advice of lying to Canadian Customs. They do have access to your criminal record, and lying to any federal Canadian authority is a felony which can land you a $250,000 fine and up to 5 years in prison.