In 2008 I regretfully made a terrible decision and drove drunk, and was pulled over and charged with a misdemeanor.  I have since "cleaned up" my life - but just learned that I'm required to travel to Vancouver for business next month and now I'm worried because my girlfriend is convinced they don't allow people with a DUI to enter Canada.  I did a Google search and there appears to be a wide range of conflicting info out there - some of it saying it's never a problem, and others saying it always is.  Just wondering if anyone has any experience on the topic - getting denied entry at the Canadian border would seriously jeopardize my career.  It seems crazy that Canada wouldn't allow an American to visit because of such a "weak crime" from so long ago, but forums and message boards are filled with horror stories unfortunately :(

Thanks.

I called the Canadian consulate and asked about this once -- I was told that if you have a misdemeanor, it is up to the individual border guard who is screening you as you go through to decide, depending on what the misdemeanor was for. I know that doesn't help -- I hope everything works out for you!

Hi Ricardo.
Your girlfriend is correct, Canada does not allow Americans to enter their country with a drunk driving charge that is less than 10 years old unless they have special permission.  I have a DUI as well, and my wife is from Canada, so I know all too well the headaches this can cause.  You need one of two things from the Canadian government to successfully cross the border:
- Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)... it's basically a band-aid solution that allows you to travel to Canada for a specific period of time for a specific reason.  Because Canada does not want to hurt their economy, business travel is a very valid reason to require entry to Canada with a DUI and if you say you'll likely need to visit Vancouver again in the near future for business you can easily get a multi-entry TRP good for 1-3 years (I told them I plan to visit my in-laws in Nova Scotia at least once a year and received a 24 month TRP).
- Criminal Rehabilitation... it's a permanent fix to your problem, but takes almost a year to receive so it won't help you immediately.  You can apply for this at the same time as for a TRP, and start using the TRP right away and then you'll have this for when your TRP runs out (rehabilitation never has to be renewed, just don't get another DUI and you're good to visit Canada whenever).

Source: canadaduientrylaw.com

It's absolutely true you'll be stopped at the border for dui.  What you're going to have to do is bring all your paperwork with you and try to get deemed rehabilitated at the crossing.   At 7 years it's automatic,  less than is case by case.

Source:  I'm a British commonwealth citizen and have to know crap like this as a result.

@Karen: Even a misdemeanor DUI going to stop you, always. You might want to call a lawyer about this to verify the exacts that Darth brought up and possibly avoid having to turn around and head back home.

help.cbp.gov/app/answers…

"As a general rule, Canada does not allow persons with DUI's to enter their country, although travellers who require in-depth information regarding the process of applying for a waiver or other admissibility questions can reach the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) during regular business hours, Monday to Friday (08:00 - 16:00 local time, except holidays) by calling either (506)636-5064 or (204)983-3500.

You may also view the following links with CBSA on their waiver process:

Citizenship & Immigration (for related policies and procedures on waivers): cic.gc.ca    
CBSA?s home page: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng…  
CBSA?s Contact page: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/…  
CBSA?s info for non-Canadians: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/noncan-e…;

Get a lawyer

Source: nearly had to fire an employee because he couldn't travel to Canada due to his DUI. He got a lawyer and he can travel there weekly now.

I have duel citizenship (via English cervical contributor) and have a DUI about a year away from expunged status.
I miss my Canadian family, and have missed a few funerals. This has been a frustrating question that seemed too complicated to drive all the way to the border with.

I know, I'm scum.  But the question  remains
And I miss Canada!!

Yeah it is very ironic that Canada is SO anal about that yet they smuggled BC BUD by the ton to the US for years. And of course there was the nuclear warhead dude coming from Canada who got caught in Port Angeles.

Nick... I don't think the government of Canada was personally smuggling drugs over the border...

Uhh..the fertilizer bomb guy?

A lawyer would be the slowest and most expensive way possible for something like this - and utterly useless unless you are not a reasonably intelligent individual who can't figure out how to fill out some forms and follow simple directions (admittedly, no slam dunk in this day and age of Idiocracy, but I like to give benefit of doubt).  You aren't appearing before a magistrate or a court of any sort .  If you do the border rehabilitation route, I'm told it takes about 15 minutes and for something not considered capital in nature (rape, murder, subversion, etc.), it's about guaranteed.  They tell you what you need to bring.  Going through the consulate (which a lawyer route till take you, as I doubt one will come on a road trip with you) will take about a year according to Canada's immigration page.

I've personally not had to deal with it, but I know others who have and it didn't sound like that much of a chore.  BTW Joy if you're Commonwealth, you can cross even with the DUI regardless of time frame since you got it (so long as your citizenship is legit).  You've always been able to.

Sarth: He went the lawyer route, he kept his job. He also was on a time crunch.

You seem to think it's guaranteed lol

*applauds for Peter*

I missed the duel!!! dammit, always wanted to see one of those!
Further confirmation... been in the vehicle with a group of friends when one person could not enter due to his charge.  Embarrassing experience, and really something that is not well known.  He had to hitch a bus home from Bellingham. :(

Holy crap. I just realized that I misspelled dual...
in my defense, duel sounds way cooler.

Joy, if you have citizenship to Canada I don't think they can turn you away. You are allowed to enter Canada with a DUI if you are a citizen.

Also Nick, The people getting across the border with drugs etc are getting past US border guards not Canadian ones....

No, I have British citizenship. I am not sure if it applies to commonwealth countries.

Is there any difference if you got arrested for DUI and your case was dismissed (no conviction)?

Travis -- I don't know about DUI, but many years ago I was travelling with a co-worker and we got stopped at the border -- he had been arrested on suspicion of murder (it was a mistaken identity thing, it turns out - didn't even to to trial) but because of that we were detained for a long time -- I can't remember what he had to do to clear it up.  This was going from Pt. Roberts into Canada, too, so we were really stuck.

Is it only if you're actually the driver at the border? Or a passenger too?

If they stop you, they'll get ID and run background checks on everyone in the car.

They stop everyone and check the ID of everyone in every vehicle.

Huh. I've been to Canada at least five times in the past 10 years with friends who had a DUI and nothing ever happened.

Travis: dismissed means you're fine.

Okay. Thanks.