Can you go to Canada if you have a DUI?
Yes, But the journey to enter Canada with a DUI conviction can be complex and challenging. At Richards and Jurusik Immigration Law, we have helped many clients overcome these obstacles, enabling them to travel freely and continue their professional and personal endeavors. Here are two inspiring stories of clients who successfully navigated their way into Canada despite their past DUI convictions.
Success Story 1: Overcoming Barriers for a Busy Professional
One of our clients, a busy professional, needed to travel to Canada for work but was barred from entry due to a DUI conviction in the U.S. The conviction, which occurred over five years ago, had long since been completed, but it continued to impede their ability to enter Canada.
Short-Term Solution: Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) We swiftly acted to secure a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) for our client. A TRP allows individuals with past convictions to enter Canada for a specified period, provided they have a compelling reason. In this case, the professional necessity of our client’s travel was a strong basis for the application.
- Application Process: We prepared a comprehensive application detailing our client’s professional commitments and the importance of their presence in Canada.
- Approval: The consulate approved the TRP, allowing our clients to enter Canada for their work commitments.
Long-Term Solution: Criminal Rehabilitation Understanding the need for a long-term solution, we also initiated the process for Criminal Rehabilitation. This process permanently resolves inadmissibility issues for individuals whose sentence has been completed over five years before.
- Application Preparation: We meticulously compiled documentation, including evidence of the client’s rehabilitation and the time elapsed since the completion of their sentence.
- Approval: After a year, the application was approved, granting our client the ability to travel to Canada as needed without the constraints of their past conviction.
This dual approach not only addressed the immediate need for entry, but also provided a sustainable long-term solution, enabling our clients to continue their professional endeavors in Canada seamlessly.
Success Story 2: Redemption and New Opportunities
Our second story involves a client who faced multiple DUI convictions during a tumultuous period in their youth. The last of these convictions occurred just over ten years before we began working together. Since then, our client has made significant positive changes, including overcoming substance abuse and mentoring others facing similar struggles.
The Challenge: Entry for an Athletic Competition Our client aspired to enter Canada to participate in an athletic competition. Given their past, this was a complex case requiring careful navigation of Canada’s immigration laws.
Solution: Criminal Rehabilitation Considering the time that had elapsed since their last conviction, our strategy focused on Criminal Rehabilitation, which is available for individuals whose last sentence was completed more than five years ago.
- Demonstrating Rehabilitation: We gathered extensive documentation showcasing our client’s transformation, including testimonials from those they had mentored and proof of their ongoing commitment to a drug-free and alcohol-free life.
- Application Submission: The application was submitted about a year before the planned competition, providing ample time for review and approval.
- Approval: Our client’s application for criminal rehabilitation was approved, allowing them to enter Canada to compete in athletic events and travel freely for future visits.
This case exemplifies the power of perseverance and the importance of thorough legal preparation. Our client’s successful rehabilitation and entry into Canada were a testament to their hard work and our dedicated legal support.
Conclusion
These success stories demonstrate that individuals with past DUI convictions can overcome their inadmissibility to Canada with the right legal guidance and support. At Richards and Jurusik Immigration Law, we are committed to helping our clients navigate these challenges, providing tailored solutions to their unique needs. Contact our office to speak directly with a Canadian immigration lawyer with experience helping U.S. citizens enter Canada with a DUI.
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We can Help!
You may have questions regarding traveling to Canada with a DUI conviction. We invite you to contact our team at Richards and Jurusik for detailed guidance and assistance. We aim to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to make your immigration process smoother and less stressful. The immigration lawyers at Richards and Jurusik have decades of experience helping people to work and live in the United States. Read some of our hundreds of 5-star client reviews! Contact us today to assess your legal situation.
