Entering Canada With DUI

Have a DUI conviction? Learn how to enter Canada with a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or Criminal Rehabilitation. Speak with a Canadian immigration lawyer today.

Do you want to enter Canada but have a DUI conviction on your record? In most cases, a conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs makes a foreign national criminally inadmissible to Canada — meaning you can be refused entry at the border, regardless of whether you're coming for work, tourism, business, or to visit family.

The good news: Canadian immigration law provides two established pathways to overcome criminal inadmissibility and enter Canada legally with a DUI. The right option for you depends on how much time has passed since your sentence was completed, the details of your conviction, and the purpose of your trip.

If you have a DUI conviction, there are two primary ways to enter Canada:

1. Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) — a short-term solution that authorizes entry for a specific purpose and period.
2. Criminal Rehabilitation — a permanent solution that clears your inadmissibility for future travel to Canada.

In some cases, you may also qualify for deemed rehabilitation, which removes inadmissibility automatically once enough time has passed.

If fewer than five years have passed since you completed your DUI sentence, you may still be eligible to enter Canada through a Temporary Resident Permit. A TRP grants temporary entry for a justified purpose — such as work, business meetings, medical treatment, or a family emergency — even while you remain technically inadmissible.

A TRP is ideal for applicants who:

• Need to travel to Canada before becoming eligible for Criminal Rehabilitation
• Have a clear, well-documented reason for the trip
• Can demonstrate that the benefits of their visit outweigh any risk to Canadian society

TRP applications are discretionary and require a carefully prepared submission. Working with an experienced Canadian immigration lawyer significantly improves your chances of approval. Book a consultation to discuss your case.

If at least five years have passed since you completed the entire sentence imposed for your DUI — including any probation, fines, or driving suspensions — you may be eligible to apply for Criminal Rehabilitation. Once approved, your past conviction no longer makes you inadmissible to Canada, and you can travel freely like any other visitor.

A strong Criminal Rehabilitation application must demonstrate that:

• The full sentence has been completed more than five years ago
• You have been law-abiding since the conviction
• You are unlikely to reoffend

Because the application involves supporting documents, personal statements, and legal analysis under Canadian immigration law, professional representation is strongly recommended.

You may be deemed rehabilitated by the passage of time — and no longer considered inadmissible — if:

• At least 10 years have passed since the completion of your sentence, and
• You have only one DUI conviction on your record with no other criminal history

Even if you believe you qualify for deemed rehabilitation, border officers have discretion at the port of entry. We strongly recommend obtaining a legal opinion letter from a Canadian immigration lawyer to present to Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers. A properly drafted legal opinion letter explains your eligibility under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and significantly reduces the risk of being turned away.

DUI inadmissibility cases are fact-specific, and the wrong approach can lead to a refused application or a denied entry at the border. Whether you need a TRP for an urgent trip, are ready to apply for Criminal Rehabilitation, or want a legal opinion letter confirming deemed rehabilitation, our firm can help.

Book a consultation → to discuss your DUI and the best pathway to enter Canada.