Border Crossing Regs

[eyepatrol]

I've got a cousin that asked me about crossing the border with having a DUI on his record. Apparently he got it about 8 years ago and this year he wants to go to Canada with my relatives.

Can anyone tell me what the rules/laws are on getting into Canada if you have a DUI like my cousin? I thought I heard once that if it's 5 years old or less you can forget about it, if it's between 5 years and 10 years old you need to get some kind of permit, and if it's more than 10 years old you're in the clear. Does this sound right? I've been trying to do some research for him on the internet, but haven't had much luck finding anything.

Thanks in advance for the help.

[jonboy]

read the top post on this forum (canada)"what to bring..."

[hanson]

Here is a link to some of the info you are looking for.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/rehabil.html

From my research, 8 year old DWI should allow him to be deamed 'Rehabilated' after filling out the appropriate paperwork and paying the associated fee. A DWI under 5 years will require a Temporary Resident Permit which may or may not be granted. The TRP is paperwork heavy and needs to be filed with the same nonrefundable fee.

You can search the archives here at FishingMinnesota for related information. Search for DWI in the Canada forum and you'll find a pretty comprehensive list of information and related links.

From what I understand, take care of this in advance and you should have a smooth trip. If you wait to do it at the border, it could possibly be a long wait or you might even get turned away if the appropriate staff aren't working.

[Hemlock]

Hanson's got it pretty much bang on.

[ozzie]

I just heard a story don't know how much of it I believe but it goes like this...... A few weeks ago a couple guys (3) got to the border and were denied because of DWI they went to a bar in International Falls and were telling their story when this lady said meet me here at 5 am. So the next morn they meet her and her hubby and he hands them helmuts charges like $200 each and smuggles across the border on the lake in a speed boat going like 80 mph so they say the guy hits land and they jump out and are in Canada a buddy crosses the border legally and picks them up and they are on their way.....

[Hemlock]

Great story!

Not reccommended.

[ozzie]

no I wouldn't recommend this at all but thought it was humorous!!