For years, Canada has either refused entry to or made it difficult for Americans who have a DUI conviction in their past to enter into Canada. Canada deems “inadmissible” those who have been convicted of an “indictable offense” in another country. A DUI is an indictable offense in Canada and makes an American inadmissible to Canada. This has resulted in thousands of people being turned away at the border by Canadian Immigration officials and has made it difficult for some entertainers and business people to work in that country. In fact, it was even a little tricky for then-President George Bush to enter Canada for diplomatic purposes due to his 1976 conviction for drunk driving in Maine.
Typically, a person arriving in Canada from another country may be subjected to a quick background check. If there is a DUI conviction in his or her past, or one is pending due to a charge or a diversion, they will either be refused entry to the country or they will have to spend hours working it out with immigration officials who sometimes will allow them a temporary visa in exchange for a payment of $200 to $300.
Canada has apparently recognized that they are turning away hundreds of thousands of dollars in tourism, particularly for hunting and fishing, by refusing entry to their southern neighbors with a minor indiscretion in their past. According to this recent article, Canada is going to loosen up and begin to slowly allow those people to enter the country. I am aware of many people who have had a Kansas DUI in their past and who had difficulty entering Canada, so I am pleased to hear that Canada will begin to be a little more forgiving. However, it appears that this program will be phased in over several years and it may be 2014 before it is fully implemented. So, avoiding a Kansas DUI conviction is still important, and getting good advice from a Kansas DUI lawyer before attempting to enter Canada may be advisable.