My wife is planning a trip to Vancouver this summer. She ran across some information online or in a podcast somewhere that said you have to apply for some sort of clearance to get into Canada if you have had an OWI before. I was young and stupid once and received an OWI about 15 years ago. She said from what she's found there's no real time limit on how long they require you to apply from time you received one. Does anybody have experience with this that can give me some information? She mentioned possibly needing a lawyer to help me apply, so names of any lawyers in Central Iowa that handle this sort of thing would be much appreciated. Feel free to just PM me if you don't want the crowd to know you have had to deal with this before.
Traveling to Canada?
- Thread starter clone4lyfe
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Canada is REALLY hard on this and doesn't always apply the restrictions unilaterally. I've seen stories of businessman who had infractions over 20 years ago not be able to pass through immigration at the airport. And that was the only thing on their record.
I don't personally know of any lawyers who handle this but think you and your wife are making a smart decision. My cousin and his wife planned a trip to the PNW, with a stop in Vancouver. They were completely oblivious to Canada's requirements with OWIs and since his wife had one about 10 years ago they completely wiped that part of the trip out.
Best of luck dealing with this. To my knowledge Canada is the most stringent country in the world when it comes to this sort of thing.
What? Is that because it's an overnight trip or something? I've driven from our house north of Seattle to the Vancouver area a couple times for day trips and the border crossing is so quick I can't imagine they did that thorough a background check. Like 30 seconds max at the guard shack.
But I've only ever gotten one ticket for speeding. No OWIs.
But I've only ever gotten one ticket for speeding. No OWIs.
There IS a thing about OWI's (felonies in general I think) and Canada. My biz partner has one from 20+ years ago and he can not go there.
I think there is a process where you can get special dispensation from the Pope to be allowed in, but IDK what that process is. Google is your friend.
I think there is a process where you can get special dispensation from the Pope to be allowed in, but IDK what that process is. Google is your friend.
They don't have the ability to do consistent, thorough checks at the border crossings. If it's something that predates the digital age you are likely okay. Even outside of that they may not check very hard if you look like the typical tourist.
Flying in is a different story and I've seen all kinds of stories with people being "nabbed" at customs with decades only OWI convictions. Staying in Seattle and driving up for a day or two? I'd take that risk (just turn around and go back). But if you are flying in or have significant plans/dollars on a border crossing I'm not sure I would.
Have your wife go to Canada legally. You cross the border via a field or forest. She picks you up along the road. Enjoy your vacation.
This. If you watch Handmaid's Tale closely you can see maps with crossing spots marked.
First time I went up there, they took like a dozen of us and put in this line. We each had to get interigated. I was in a room and was listening to the guy in the room next to me. He was asked if he had anything on his record they should be worried about, he said no. After a little while, they came back and said, " we found you have a DUI on your record and you will be on the first plane back to the US in the morning." I don't know how long ago he had gotten that. Scared the crap out of me though when they asked me the same question as I thought even a speeding ticket may get you sent back. They told me that speeding tickets were no issue.
Another guy I know tried to cross with with a gun he forgot he had in his truck. He got sent back. He tried going back a couple years later and was told he was banned from ever going into Canada. Pretty serious stuff!!
Another guy I know tried to cross with with a gun he forgot he had in his truck. He got sent back. He tried going back a couple years later and was told he was banned from ever going into Canada. Pretty serious stuff!!
And who doesn’t love a hike?
Well that’s unfortunate. I thought after 7-10 years(can’t remember which I heard) that they let you in after owi.
Guess I will be looking for a lawyer that can help me apply for this clearance. Appreciate the replies confirming you know of people who have had this issue.
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Tell them you’ve been chasing a moose and squirrel. Use a Russian accent also.
If it's been over 10 years, Canadian immigration may allow you in because you have been deemed as rehabilitated. From what I understand, they also may not let you in.
I've had to put together paperwork to get a couple of our techs into Canada lately. You really need to put together a good entrance packet if you are going to conduct any kind of business in Canada and you need an in-country sponsor that is willing to state that they couldn't find anybody from Canada that could do the work. We wanted to send one of our techs that had a DWI 13 years ago but we didn't want to risk it because we could not get a definitive answer from the Canadian government. Unless you are from Ukraine or Hong Kong, it is pretty much impossible to move to Canada if you don't have a job offer. If you are a seasonal employee, you will get deported at the end of the season. Canada is very, very protective of its labor force. I don't mean to make this political but if Canada was bordered by a country like Mexico, Canada would have probably built a huge wall by now.
Your OWI is probably expunged. I got an OWI back in the 90's (partied a little too hard back then). I've been to Canada 3 times since 2010. Never had an issue.
I went across the border in August and had an OWI back in 1991. It never came up. And I didn't have a valid passport. It came 2 days after we left. I used a birth certificate and my "Real ID" license. But I would just call the border agency where you are crossing. I did that prior to entering Saskatchewan and they were SOOO friendly and helpful. (No, this isn't sarcastic, they really were, it was almost crazy how they chatted with me.)
