Travel plan idea blog: Entry into Canada after DUI conviction?

June 20, 2009

Entry into Canada after DUI conviction?

Reader submitted question: Anyone know how closely they check for criminal inadmissibility? Anyone here have a DUI on their record and visit Canada? When they scan your passport does it show your criminal record???

My answer: I doubt anyone other than an immigration agent can answer with certainty, but I have heard of people being turned away at the Ontario border because of DUI on their record. I've also heard of Ontario immigration charging someone an extra $200 to enter at the airport because of a criminal record - I don't know exactly but it was a bar fight 15 years ago according to the guy I talked to.

I'm told that Quebec is less strict.

Posted by James Trotta at June 20, 2009 12:14 AM

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Comments

Yes, I was detained although I entered on my private jet. It cost me dearly for a background check, which was a total rip off. rj

Posted by: r. j. smith at June 21, 2009 2:27 AM

I was on a concert bus to Montreal to see Eric Clapton and one guy had to pay $250 to enter because of a past DUI. They denied another entry for some other legal scuffle in his past. I heard later he was not very nice to the arresting officers. Also, they would only take cash.

Posted by: Randy at June 21, 2009 7:37 PM

Yes they do turn you back.I had flown my brother from Seattle to Fairbanks to help with the drive back.Got to the border,he ran his drivers license and promptly denied him access because of a Dui 5 years prior.He is permanently denied access until he has the paperwork stating he is healed from alcoholism.So I had to drive him the three hundred miles back to Fairbanks to put him on a flight home and drive the three hundred miles back to the border.Stupid backwoods country Canada is!!!!!

Posted by: Travis at June 22, 2009 7:49 AM

You can find the correct information at, Citizenship & Immigration Canada @ www.cic.gc.ca On their home page. Come to Canada. Click, go to visit. Click on Who is eligible.

Posted by: Noelle at June 22, 2009 10:58 PM

Yeah so backwards. How dare they not accomodate irresponsible alcoholic criminals.

Posted by: british at July 4, 2009 2:13 AM

My husband arrived in Vancouver today just to be sent back to the states because of a DUI conviction back in 2000. They at least pay for a flight back home for you....

Posted by: H at July 8, 2009 12:17 PM