Entering Canada
Any trip, any reason. Find out whether your record is a problem and which fix applies.
For Americans and other visitors
Entering Canada with a DUI or criminal record
Canada can refuse entry for a single conviction — including a DUI. The good news: there are established ways to fix it, and which one fits depends mostly on when your sentence ended.
Choose your focus
What’s your reason for crossing?
Working or trucking in Canada
For drivers and workers who need to cross on a schedule.
Visiting Canada
Holidays, fishing trips, weddings, conferences and the drive to Alaska.
Moving to Canada
Deal with admissibility before it holds up a work permit or residence application.
The check gives a general, preliminary result based on what you tell us. It isn’t a legal opinion or a guarantee of eligibility, approval, entry, employment or processing time. Government agencies make every final decision.
Why you might be turned away
Under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a visitor can be found inadmissible for a conviction outside Canada that would be an offence under Canadian law. Officers compare your offence with its Canadian equivalent — which is why a misdemeanor in your state can still be a problem at the border.
Impaired driving is the most common example. Since December 18, 2018, it carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in Canada, which places it in the serious criminality category (IRCC on impaired driving).
Your three possible routes
1. Deemed rehabilitation
No application. If you have only one conviction, it isn’t serious criminality, it involved no weapons, injury or serious property damage, and at least 10 years have passed since your sentence ended, you may already be considered rehabilitated (source). DUIs committed on or after December 18, 2018 don’t qualify.
2. Criminal rehabilitation
A one-time application, available once five years have passed since you finished your sentence, including probation. Approval permanently resolves the inadmissibility for the offences it covers. Government fee: $246.25 or $1,231 CAD for serious criminality (IRCC fee list).
3. Temporary resident permit (TRP)
For people who aren’t yet eligible for rehabilitation, or who need to travel before it’s approved. You need a justified reason for the trip — work, family or another compelling purpose — and the permit is limited to a set period.
What the application involves
- An FBI Identity History Summary and state-level records
- Court documents showing the charge, sentence and completion of every condition
- A personal statement and supporting documents showing rehabilitation
- The Government of Canada application forms and fee
Processing times change often; check IRCC’s current processing times. Apply well before any planned trip.
Price
One flat service fee in U.S. dollars, whichever route fits. Government fees are paid separately.
Canadian Entry Waiver / Rehabilitation
For Americans (and other visitors) with a record who need to enter Canada.
US$1,800 USD
- Payment plan: US$99 down, then 10 monthly payments
- Government fees are extra and paid directly to the government
Common questions
Can I enter Canada with a DUI?
Usually not without permission. Since December 18, 2018, impaired driving is treated as serious criminality under Canadian immigration law, so a single DUI can make you inadmissible. Depending on how long ago your sentence ended, a temporary resident permit or criminal rehabilitation can resolve it.
My DUI was more than 10 years ago. Am I deemed rehabilitated?
Possibly, if the offence happened before December 18, 2018 and it is your only conviction. Offences committed on or after that date are treated as serious criminality and do not qualify for deemed rehabilitation. Have it checked before you travel.
What is the difference between a TRP and criminal rehabilitation?
A temporary resident permit covers a specific trip or period and needs a justified reason to travel. Criminal rehabilitation is a one-time application, available five years after your sentence ends, that permanently resolves the inadmissibility for the offences it covers.
Do I need to tell the border officer about my record?
Yes. Misrepresenting your history to a Canadian border officer can lead to a five-year ban. Canadian officers can see many U.S. criminal records.
Find out which route fits before you book the trip
The free Clearance Check is private and online. You get your likely route, your timeline and every cost itemized, with no phone call needed.