YOU CANNOT ENTER CANADA
WITHIN 5 YEARS OF A DWI Conviction
TRAVEL TO CANADA
Should you decide to travel to Canada, please be aware that any conviction for any
drinking/driving offense is considered a crime in Canada. Thus, you could be refused
entry to Canada if a driving abstract or a DMV printout is produced. To seek entry if 5
years have not transpired since your conviction, you may apply for a so-called Minister’s
Permit.
After five years have transpired from the date of your last court appearance to
the date you intend to enter Canada, application can be made to the Canadian
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration for “Approval of Rehabilitation.”
The application form for both of these certificates can be obtained from any Canadian
Customs and Immigration Office or consulate, or by phoning 1-416-973-4444 (Form
IMM- 5312E which consists of an information guide, application form, and instructions),
or from the worldwide web at:
You can also contact an immigration attorney if it is necessary for you to travel to Canada. They will help you process your application through proper channels. Our office does not handle these applications.
Canada takes drunk driving offenses VERY SERIOUSLY and if you get through the border without getting checked out properly (i.e. you slip past them with a DWI conviction on your record), you could face criminal prosecution if the Canadian authorities figure out you have a DWI conviction upon re-entry to the USA.
By Attorney Mike Cyr
E: mike.ithacadwi@gmail.com
