Frequently we at SQ Attorneys are asked about the impact that a DUI (including DUI’s reduced to Reckless Driving or Negligent Driving) has on one’s ability to enter Canada. By no means are we the experts on the subject, however.
Frequently asked questions and answers regarding the issue can be found at: (1) http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp; and (2) http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/seattle (click Visas and immigration for further details and applications), and the basics are pretty simple. There are three ways (according to the Immigration Section of the Canadian Consulate) to gain admittance into Canada after being convicted of a DUI. Those are: (1) If the completion of one’s DUI sentence is less than 5 years old, the person can apply for a Temporary Resident Permit, the price of which is $200 Canadian, and the processing of the application can be lengthy; (2) If the completion of one’s DUI sentence is more than 5 years old, the person can apply for Approval of Rehabilitation, the price of which ranges from $200 - $1,000 depending on the severity of the crime. The person will need to provide a police certificate of criminal history, and the processing of the application can take a year or more; and finally (3) If a person has one DUI that has been completed over 10 years ago, he can get the Approval of Rehabilitation approved at the border. The person should arrive at the border with the application complete. If approved, the past DUI will no longer impact his ability to go to Canada.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a DUI, immediately contact a Seattle DUI attorney. A Seattle DUI attorney is not going to judge you, and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle DUI lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce those penalties, and can help direct people on how to best deal with their DUI charge. So it should go without saying that someone cited for DUI should hire a qualified Seattle DUI lawyer as soon as possible. Driving Under the Influence charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with DUI in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle DUI attorney.