Driving Under Influence Records Pose Problems at the Canadian Border
If you've been used to drive from one state to another without encountering major differences or problematic borders, you’ll have to prepare when you’ll go to another country. Canada is one of the most popular vacation destinations for many US residents. It’s a beautiful country that provides lots of entertainment means. It’s perfect both for people who love the great outdoors and for the ones who are fascinated by the business of a big city. But getting across the Canadian border and starting to discover the beauties of Canada is not as easy as you might think.
When you go to Canada, you’ll have to do more than just present your ID. Each person who wants to entry Canada will be submitted to a routine criminal record check. Long story short, if you have a criminal record, you will be denied entry. This is valid for any conviction. Some people might think that a driving under influence charge shouldn't be a problem and that they don’t represent a danger for society. The Canadians think differently. Driving under influence records pose problems at the Canadian border, regardless whether you have multiple convictions or a single one that happened long time ago.
That’s why you should prepare much more to go to Canada if you have a DUI and you should do it months ahead of the trip. There are special waivers that can grant you permission to enter the country on a permanent or temporary basis. In order to get a permanent permission, you need to be deemed rehabilitated. This works for people who have been accused of DUI more than five years ago. The five year waiting period starts from the date of the sentencing for suspended ones and when the probation or imprisonment ended for the others. It’s very useful for immigrants and US students who want to study in Canada that have been accused of underage DUI.
People who just want to travel to Canada will need a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) which provides access for a certain time frame. It’s also the only solution in case your driving under influence occurred less than five years ago. It’s important to know whether your TRP allows you to come back. If it doesn't specify that you’re allowed re-entry, it won’t be valid if you’ll want to come back.
It takes a few months to get these waivers and you’ll need assistance from a qualified lawyer who deals with the Canadian immigration law. But a waiver will allow you the opportunity to discover Canada or to enter the country to get to Alaska.
When you go to Canada, you’ll have to do more than just present your ID. Each person who wants to entry Canada will be submitted to a routine criminal record check. Long story short, if you have a criminal record, you will be denied entry. This is valid for any conviction. Some people might think that a driving under influence charge shouldn't be a problem and that they don’t represent a danger for society. The Canadians think differently. Driving under influence records pose problems at the Canadian border, regardless whether you have multiple convictions or a single one that happened long time ago.
That’s why you should prepare much more to go to Canada if you have a DUI and you should do it months ahead of the trip. There are special waivers that can grant you permission to enter the country on a permanent or temporary basis. In order to get a permanent permission, you need to be deemed rehabilitated. This works for people who have been accused of DUI more than five years ago. The five year waiting period starts from the date of the sentencing for suspended ones and when the probation or imprisonment ended for the others. It’s very useful for immigrants and US students who want to study in Canada that have been accused of underage DUI.
People who just want to travel to Canada will need a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) which provides access for a certain time frame. It’s also the only solution in case your driving under influence occurred less than five years ago. It’s important to know whether your TRP allows you to come back. If it doesn't specify that you’re allowed re-entry, it won’t be valid if you’ll want to come back.
It takes a few months to get these waivers and you’ll need assistance from a qualified lawyer who deals with the Canadian immigration law. But a waiver will allow you the opportunity to discover Canada or to enter the country to get to Alaska.