Entering Canada with a DUI: what the rules actually say.

If you are a U.S. visitor with a DUI on your record and you are planning a trip to Canada, this is the question you need answered before you drive to the border — not at it.

Why a DUI can make you inadmissible

In December 2018, Canada raised the maximum penalty for impaired driving. That change pushed impaired-driving offences into the category of serious criminality for immigration purposes. The practical effect: a single DUI conviction can make a non-Canadian criminally inadmissible to Canada, even for a weekend visit.

This surprises a lot of people, because a DUI is often treated as a minor matter at home. Canadian immigration law does not see it that way.

The three routes back in

There are three established ways to overcome criminal inadmissibility. They are not interchangeable — the right one depends on your situation and your timing.

• Temporary resident permit (TRP). Permission to enter for a specific purpose and period, despite being inadmissible. This is the route when you need to travel soon.
• Criminal rehabilitation. A permanent fix you apply for: once approved, the past offence no longer makes you inadmissible. You generally must wait a set period after completing your sentence before you can apply.
• Deemed rehabilitation. For some offences, you may be considered rehabilitated automatically once enough time has passed since you completed your full sentence — no application required.

The timing math

The key variable is how long ago you completed your entire sentence — including any fine, probation, or licence condition. If enough time has passed, deemed rehabilitation may already apply and you may not need to pay for anything. If not enough time has passed, you are looking at a TRP for near-term travel and criminal rehabilitation for a permanent solution.

Because the thresholds turn on the specific offence and dates, always confirm your status before you travel rather than assuming.

What it costs today

Each route has its own government fee, set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and paid directly to the government. The official fees and forms are published by IRCC — we link to them in the sources below.

Start with the official process

A DUI-and-Canada situation is a maze of forms and timing rules. Start with IRCC's own process — the official overview, forms, and fees are linked in the sources below.