I am traveling to Canada next month and I have a DWI conviction, will I be allowed entry?

Question

I will not be driving the veichle, I will be a passenger along with five others. Will they let me in? My friend coming with me has a Driving while Ability Impaired, will he be allowed in?

Answer 1

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (the federal agency responsible for allowing persons to enter the country) states that they may deny entrance to any person convicted of a crime, and that anyone who has been convicted of a crime must apply for rehabilitation with the Canadian government before he or she can be admitted.  

If they choose to enforce this on your visit, this will apply to you even though you are not driving, as well as your friend.  Whether or not they do enforce it will depend on whether the conviction appears on your record that they can see (as well as, perhaps, the mood of the agent that day).

Answer 2

It depends.  In Canada a DWI is considered a very serious offence.  The only way you can be certain that you will be allowed to enter Canada is to apply for a Minister’s Approval of Rehabilitation. This process can be initiated after five years have elapsed from the end of any probation.  

You can also be allowed to enter before the 5 year period ahs elapsed by applying for a Temporary Resident Permit which would allow you to enter for a specific period of time for a specific purpose.  There is a fee for both these processes, and they take time, usually months at least.

You should not show up at the border without sorting this out because you would very likely be turned back.  Best of luck with getting it sorted.

Answer 3

Canada is very specific when it comes to letting people enter the country with criminal backgrounds. It is my understanding that they consider DWI's to be felony's. There are forms available to request permission to enter the country, they take into consideration the individual situation and make their decision. I would defiantly check this out thoroughly before making any more plans for your trip.

Answer 4

When did you get this coviction?

If its over 5 years ago and you haven't been charged criminally since, yes you can cross. But if its within 5 years ago or you've been charged with something ciminally within the past 5 years, sorry, no, you can't cross.