Denied Entry to Canada for DUI or Other Criminal Offenses

Denied Entry to Canada for DUI or DWI

Many people travelling to Canada face issues of inadmissibility. Sometimes, these unsuspecting travellers are caught off guard when they are denied entry, as they had no idea that they were considered inadmissible because of their previous criminal offence.

If you have been recently denied entry or have a criminal background, you too are technically considered inadmissible to Canada, and an Officer at the Port of Entry does have the ability to refuse or deny you entry based on this history.

American Denied Entry to Canada

Are you an American who was recently refused entry into Canada while attempting to cross the border? And were told you are  “inadmissible for criminality” and that you were “not allowed to enter Canada for 1,2, 3, 4, or even up to ten years?”

Regardless if your offence was a DUI or a charge of disorderly conduct, regardless of whether it happened 3 months or 30 years ago – having a criminal history can be a serious impediment to travelling to Canada. This applies to all travellers, including those coming from the United States. Many Americans are flabbergasted at the fact that they are being refused or denied entry to Canada for a misdemeanour that happened ages ago. Some common offences that we have dealt with in the past include:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI);
• Driving While Intoxicated (DWI);
• Assault;
• Possession of a controlled substance;
• Trafficking;
• Fraud;
• Theft and the list grows on a daily basis.

These individuals contact us because they have a need to travel to Canada and feel that, though they may have made mistakes in the past, they are in the past and are simply trying to move forward with their lives.

If you have been denied entry, refused at the port of entry, or have criminality or any other inadmissibility issue, contact us. You have options available to you.

Denied Entry into Canada? Your Options TRP

The first step to determining your options is to sort out whether or not you will need a Temporary Resident Permit and if you qualify for an Application for Criminal Rehabilitation. A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is a temporary status document that will allow you to overcome your inadmissibility issue for a predetermined amount of time. The TRP can help accommodate urgent travel should you face an immediate need to enter Canada. An Application for Criminal Rehabilitation, on the other hand, is a permanent way of overcoming criminal inadmissibility. This means that if you are successful in an Application for Criminal Rehabilitation, you will never again be considered inadmissible to Canada for reasons of criminality… provided you do not re-offend after the fact.

How We Can Help with Temporary Resident Permits

Depending on the nature of the offence, when the offence occurred and when all sentencing has been served will determine whether or not you qualify for Criminal Rehabilitation. However, the Temporary Resident Permit is always viable.

Once your qualifications have been determined, we will proceed to:

• Outline and assist in gathering the necessary documents;
• Draft relevant supporting documents;
• Include our legal arguments as to why you should be approved;
• Compile a strong application with the highest chance for success; and
• Prepare you for any urgent travel you may have and potentially obtain status for you on the spot!

If you have an urgent travel need, it is possible to obtain a Temporary Resident Permit on the spot by making an in-person application. Feel free to contact us if this applies to you.

Understanding the Process of Temporary Resident Permits

If you have a criminality, like a DUI or other offence, obtaining your Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) and/or Criminal Rehabilitation is not something that is easily done on your own. There are a number of different factors you will need to demonstrate and a great deal of information you will need to provide.

Aside from demonstrating completion of sentencing, equating the foreign offence to Canadian law, and demonstrating your good character and your reason for entry, you will also need to convince an officer that you are a low-risk traveller and will exit Canada at the end of your authorized period of stay.

We at Akrami & Associates appreciate your needs and are committed to helping you achieve your goals. Whatever your history, whatever your travel need, whatever your unique circumstance, with Akrami & Associates… There is always a way!