DUI Type Charges: DUI, OWI, OVI,OUI,DUII,DWI,DWAI,DWUI
Entry to Canada with a DUI or any of its equivalents is only possible under a few specific instances. If you have 1 DUI equivalent charge along with any additional criminal charges, you are almost guaranteed to be found inadmissible to Canada and sent back to the United States. It’s the same outcome for or multiple DUI convictions. Potentially, there are ways to undue the effect of past charges. At least as far as Canada Border Services Agency is concerned.
Drunk/Intoxicated Driving Charge Types
Drunk driving or intoxicated driving charges and penalties varying state to state. This has led to many states having different acronyms that explain the various offenses. The Canada Border Services Agency considers all these charges to essentially be the same thing. They are grown and of a DUI or driving under the influence of either alcohol or intoxicants.
DUII – driving under the influence of intoxicants
DWI – driving while intoxicated or driving while impaired
DWAI – driving while ability impaired
DWUI – driving while under the influence
OWI – operating while intoxicated
OUI – operating under the influence
OVI – operating a vehicle under the influence
Entering Canada With A 10+ Year Old DUI
If your DUI occurred prior to December 18th, 2018 this section is valid for your situation. If your only offense is a DUI that you successfully completed all sentencing requirements for more than 10 years ago, then you are “deemed rehabilitated” and will be likely able to enter Canada.
The reason for the cut off the is due to changes in the Canadian legal system. The federal government raised the maximum sentence for a DUI in Canada from 5 to 10 years. Previously, when the maximum sentence for DUI charge in Canada was 5 years, a DUI equivalent charge received in the U.S. was not considered “serious criminality”. That meant deemed rehabilitation would have been available after a ten-year waiting period. Since the maximum punishment is now 10 years, DUI’s and equivalent charges are considered serious criminality. Hence Deemed Rehabilitated status is not possible if your offence happened after December 18, 2018.
We offer free consultations in person or by phone for U.S. citizens traveling to Canada with a DUI. Ask for Mitch.
Entering Canada With A 5+ Year-Old DUI
Anyone with a DUI that completed their sentencing requirements more than 5 years ago, can apply for ‘Rehabilitation’ to overcome their offence(s) and be able to enter Canada again. If you have multiple offences, and as such never qualify to become ‘Deemed Rehabilitated’, you can instead apply for Rehabilitation.
How To Apply For “Rehabilitation”
We recognize that everyone’s situation is unique, so it’s always a good idea to ask questions to get the correct answers. For a free consultation, simply give Mitch a call at (204) 488-6350 or 1-800-438-7020. Alternatively, you may complete the contact form on this page.
