Entering Canada With DUI Conviction

Are you looking to enter Canada but have a DUI conviction behind you? 

In most cases, a conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) means you’ll be inadmissible to Canada. 

So whether you’re coming to Canada for work or a touristic visit, you must solve inadmissibility issues before the trip. In order to overcome that, the Canadian government offers two options. This short guide will introduce alternatives to entering Canada even with a DUI conviction. 

Two Ways to Overcome Criminal Inadmissibility

Depending on when you complete the sentence for your DUI, you can overcome criminal inadmissibility in two possible ways: permanently by criminal rehabilitation or temporarily by obtaining a temporary residence permit (TRP). 

TRP- Temporary Solution for Visiting Canada

If it has passed less than five years since you completed your sentence, you may be eligible to visit Canada. However, you need a well-explained reason to do so. Whether you need to enter Canada for work, medical or any other necessary reason, your solution is an entry based on TRP. 

A temporary resident permit is a short-term solution to overcome criminal inadmissibility for a specific period. It also works well for those not yet ready for criminal rehabilitation. However, this process requires the help of an immigration lawyer in order to be completed successfully. You should book an appointment and talk to our lawyer about the specifics of your case if you have a DUI conviction. 

Criminal Rehabilitation- Permanent Solution to Stay in Canada With DUI 

You must be deemed criminally rehabilitated to come to Canada for a longer time with a criminal DUI record. Criminal rehabilitation wipes your criminal record, and Canadian immigration agents won’t consider you inadmissible to Canada anymore. 

A period of 5 or more years must pass since the entire sentence, probationary period or fines imposed for the DUI are ended. Then you can apply for Criminal Rehabilitation. In your application, you must show that you’ve changed and won’t commit another offense.

There’s also a possibility that you don’t have to apply for Criminal Rehabilitation after all. The primary condition is that ten years since you completed your sentence have passed and that you had only one DUI conviction. However, it would be a good idea to get a legal opinion letter from a Canadian immigration lawyer to show the border officers so that you wouldn’t be considered inadmissible anymore.