Entering Canada with a misdemeanor?
 

I'm not sure where this thread is supposed to go, but I will be bowhunting on this trip if I can go. Anyways, a couple months back, I was invited to go on a black bear hunt in Canada in May, which obviously, I was excited to have the opportunity. Then about a week ago one of my friends in the group somehow found out that if you have a dui on your record in the past 10 years, it is very difficult to enter the country. I, very stupidly, got a dui 3 years ago. Now since I found this out, I feel pretty helpless and demotivated about the whole thing. I know I have no one to blame for this but myself, so I'm not looking for any sympathy. But I would like to know if anyone has had a similar experience and is there any feasible way around this so I can get into Canada?

I think I would drop an email to the Canadian Customs Immigration Department and just ask a simple question.

I doubt very seriously that the border officials are checking everyone's criminal history as they cross the border. You can check if you want, but I think your friend was pulling your leg.

A buddy from work went (tried actually) on a fishing trip several years ago to Canada and his brother got turned away at the border because of a DUI. Don't know all the circumstances but sounded like he looked into it and I believe there was some type of process to get a 'pardon', waiver or whatever they call it in Canada - but had to be X number of years ago etc etc - sounded like a hassle to him so he just dropped it. Now if they go on a fishing trip with his brother that has the DUI they pick a destination state side.

I would certainly check into it before you get to far into planning for the trip...



http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g1...nvictions.html

"Thinking about traveling to Canada? You'd better reconsider if you have been convicted of DWI or DUI (Driving While Impaired or Driving Under the Influence) within the last ten years. Any type of impaired driving offence is considered the equivalent to the Canadian Criminal Code offence of impaired driving. This includes misdemeanor convictions. Canadian law considers impaired driving to be a serious offence... "

I travel over the border a couple times/yr and have for several years, now.

Never once have they looked at or asked for anything other than our passports. I wouldn't worry about this at all.

Like mentioned they don't check everyone, but I would call and ask what you can do. They will ask why you are visiting and the moment you say "hunting" your going to be searched.

I remember yrs ago around 1991, before I had a drivers license they wanted to deny me entry cause I didn't have photo ID. Had other info just no photo ID.. I was 12 yrs ago and yet they couldn't figure out why I didn't have a drivers license.

Wow, that's news to me. Maybe that's why I use my forged documentation when I enter Canada. it shows I'm a Muslim from Yemen and I get in right away.

Don't think they don't check your stuff. There is this thing called a computer. Perhaps you may have heard about them. When you hand them your passport, it gets scanned into the system.

Unless that computer's in his head, I'm telling you they don't check every passport - every time.

Like I said, we fly into Buffalo...and our CA friends drive across to pick us up. We drive across the Canadian/US border at least 4X/yr. (twice - each way).

Could he be punching in our passport numbers as he's talking with us? I suppose. But, I'm also pretty sure they have bar codes on them (would seem a lot simpler to scan them).

When your passport is scanned at the border, it checks to see if you are on a terrorist list and if you have any wants/warrants out for you. It DOES NOT pull up your criminal history for DUI's etc. In order for a criminal history to be pulled there has to be probable cause that you are involved in criminal activity.

Well I know now for a fact that they do check your criminal history because I have had people tell me first hand that some have been turned away at the border with dui's that didnt know about the laws before they drove all the way up there. The only way they were let through was by filling out a set of $200 temporary citizenship forms, which is basically just a bribe. And Ive heard that even with those forms, you are still under the discretion of the border officer whether you get in or not.

Must be no one in our party looks like a criminal. Couldn't say.

All the trips I've made to Canada to go fishing and no one has ever asked about a criminal history or run one on me. There is a law in effect in canada that says if you have been convicted of a serious crime (and DUI is considered a felony), they CAN (does not say WILL) deny you access to Canada. I would then suggest calling a Canadian consulate and tell them what your plans are and what you have to do. Now I have to go through MN to Canada again to see if they ask or check me. I've made 5 trips up there fishing before without so much as a "boo" when I go across.

Same same....
 

I go to Canada all the time and never once has anyone said boo to me either, of course I don't have felonies or do I look like a felonious type person(?). Just tell them you're going to the topless bar they will wave you right thru (not kidding).

They don't necessarily ask you if you have any felonies because they can check on their own if they want to know (and I think in most cases they do) :-)

I've probably been across the border 4ish times since 9/11 and since then when we cross, everyone in the vehicle has to hand their drivers license over to the border patrol agent - which they then look like they are entering stuff into the computer and looking at the computer screen (though I have no idea what they are actually doing).

I've even been asked abstract questions like "do you own any guns", not "do you have any guns with you", they are asking if I even own a gun. They have even asked my what types of guns I own.... Always thought maybe they could see I have a pistol permit and want to hear me say I own a handgun...??

Haven't been across since the new passport/etc regulations went into affect though - so not sure how that has changed the process.

i wouldnt think they would check everyone. if ya look suspect, well, get used to it, some cultures go through this everyday...take grandma, they will frisk her and let ya walk, at least what i saw. i havnt been to canada since the 90's, and they gave us a hard time cause my uncle had 3 cigs in a pack in his shirt pocket too many, boy howdy, ya think he took a shot at the queen herself. dont go to quebec..they will take yer guns and throw everyone in jail...you'll never see yer guns again and you'll have a criminal process to go through if you stay there. i would just try and borrow a gun while yer there and just be a tourist.

Getting into Canada with a DUI is a crapshoot.When you get to the gate they will ask for your passport, the guard may

A- just look at it, ask a few questions, and send you on your way

B-Scan your passport, ask if you have any offenses and see if you lie to him about it, thats when they become very irritable they dont like to be lied to

C-send you to the immigration office where they will do a full background check, possibly search your car, and basically waste half your day before sending you home.

Theres a form and a 200$ fee you can pay but as was mentioned, its still up to the discretion of the guard and you may have wasted 200$ and half a day.

I have a 15 yr old drunk driving and have to pass through the border numerous times a year for work and can honestly say it may or may not come up.If it was only 3 years ago they will more then likely not let you in if it comes up.If you lie about it and it then comes up you just committed another crime and more then likely will never get into Canada.

I carry a file, complete with everything to do with my DUI, dates, times, judgements, when it paid off etc... and a complete and current criminal background check from my state with me.The time frame for being clear to come into Canada is something like 10 or 12 years.Thats not since the arrest though, thats from the last day you completed your sentence, paid off your fines whatever you were court ordered to do.Having the dates and times saves them a lot of screwing around, and they seem to appreciate it.The current background check shows you are prepared and have been a good boy since then.

Dont bother calling the consulate, theyll tell you to take your chances at the border and thats about it.Remember, a misdemeanor down here is considered a felony up there.

I wouldn't even bother with them people. They want to be like that spend your money else were. I know a group of guys that use to go fishing in canada, a few of them have had a drunk driving so instead of going through a hassel at the canadian border they all go to South Dakota fishing and they have a blast. Canada sure is loseing out on a nice chunk of money from these guys, oh well snooze ya lose Canada. They catch bigger walleyes in Soth Dakota anyway:s2:

I got a dui in 91. and alot of this is true. I can give you 1 bad story that happened to my buddy that got one a couple months before me.

We camp in the 1000 islands every year and one morning my buddy took his wife, kids and mom and grandma in the boat over to canada to get some muffins. He docked and went to the bakery which was right on the river. Well he never called in and when they got back to the boat the canadian border patrol was there. They were pissed he didn't call in but they were just going to let them go with a warning right after they ran his ID. OOPS. Spread them, searched him and cuffed him and into the back seat he went right in front of everyone. They eventually let him out and he is banned from ever going to canada now.

So, take your chances and go thru. I would drive seperate with another guy and tell them you are going to a casino or something other than hunting. Or pay the $200 and see if they will allow you up there. Its all about money so that would probably work.

Good luck

I go to Canada 2 to 3 times a year. Sometimes for work and sometimes for hunting. If you go through customs and they ask if you have a felony against you , you had better tell the truth. After they ask they will check and if you have one, (DUI in Canada is a felony) you will get turned away. We were at the border to go through with our guns and one of my friends had a dui and I did not know it. He answered yes and they checked and because he answered yes he was allowed to go on hunting. He was told to contact the canadian authories when he decided to come back and that he could get a pardon if he went through the proper channels. Just obey the canadian laws and you will not have any problems.

entering canada with dui FELONY
 

I n Canada DUI is a felony ! We are planning a fly in fish trip in June and one our party is trying to get cleared before we reach the border. It is not as simple as it was ten years ago my friend had to purchase a program from Canada and now he carries a permit that shows he is ok. The problem now is that they are stating that they know longer give written ok to enter! One member of our party had a DUI 8 years ago and has called numerous immigration depts. and keeps getting a different answer. He has to get this cleared up . I know a guy who is a sales rep and tried to take clients to Lake of The Woods last year thru Fort Frances, two members of the group were not allowed in, one for a past DUI and the other was a pending (not even been to trial) assault charge. The Canadians have access to your info ! Good Luck

afew years ago I went up to Canada snowmobiling. we had like 8 trucks in all. one of the guys had stolen a car radio when he was a kid. canadian border agents would not let him in! he had to go (forget where) a bank or the counsulate and pay a fee?? and get a notorized? type letter from that place to give to the boarder gaurds so he could cross.. and he stole that radio Many,Many years prior...

I don't necessarily agree with their policy, but kudos to Canada for checking people entering their country at the border. Imagine if we did the same... They have every right to check every foreigner and only allow entry to those they deem worthy. Yes, 10 years without a dui is harsh, but its their country and to enter is a priviledge, not a right.

i personally have been thrue this. for dui. there is a process you can do to get what they call a 30 day stay. i did this about 12 years ago for my sisters wedding reception that was on the canadian side of the border. back then it was 140.00 for this. we went right to the border and took care of it there ahead of time. there also is the parden process. when i looked into it it was 200.00-1000.00 with no garuntee of a parden. also it does not matter how many years ago the conviction was. if they stop you and check,they can deny entrance at anytime. i was told that if i try to get into canada and they catch me i go straight to jail,because im considered a felon in canada. wich is great since im not a felon in the usa.

You'll need a passport for sure.

If you bring a rifle (which you aren't), they will ask you to come inside the building and fill out declaration forms, that's when they will run a background check and no doubt uncover the DUI. Best thing to do is be honest with them. If the DUI was more than 10 years old, they'll probably just let you in, or pay $200 for a "pass".

If you're just entering their country to fish or bowhunt, in all likelihood they'll wave you through. It often depends on the particular crossing guard & their mood that day.

Good luck!:)