Can I go to Canada if I get a DWI DUI?
If you are convicted of a DWI/DUI, you will be inadmissible to Canada for a certain period of time after your conviction. It does not matter if the DWI/DUI is a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or Felony. They are all treated the same by Canadian Imigration, and they will all result in your inadmissibility to Canada.
There are different ways that you can enter Canada, even after a DWI/DUI conviction. In order to do any of these, you will need to contact a Canadian immigration attorney. The first option, and the only one that is not permanent, is called a temporary resident permit (TRP). This will allow you to enter Canada for a specified period of time and for a specific reason. Generally, these are not granted for vacation or leisure.
The second option is permanent, if granted. It is called criminal rehabilitation. Again, if you want to do this you would need to contact a Canadian immigration attorney. To be eligible for this, you must have completed all of the terms of your DWI/DUI sentence and have been off of probation for 5 years. If this is granted by Canadian Immigration, it will be permanent.
The third and final option is called Deemed Rehabilitation. In this instance, 10 years must have passed prior since you were discharged from probation for the DWI/DUI. At this point, so long as certain criteria are met, a Canadian immigration officer may disregard the conviction and allow you into Canada. Notice that the word is “may,” no “must.” You should contact a Canadian immigration attorney to confirm whether or not you can enter Canada if you believe you have been deemed rehabilitated.
If you find yourself charged with a DWI/DUI and are concerned about your ability to enter Canada, call the experienced attorneys at Gerald Miller, P.A. today. While there are options available for you to enter Canada after a DWI/DUI conviction, they are complicated and can be expensive. The best way to avoid inadmissibility to Canada is to try and avoid a conviction all together.
