if I had a DUI 10 years ago they will hold that against me ?

 

I rode to Alaska with a bunch of friends this past June, one guy had a 25 year old DUI. They let him cross into Canada at Portal, ND without issue.

On our return from Alaska, we tried to cross back into Canada on the Alcan at Beaver Creek - it was midnight, no traffic and 1 bored guard and yep, this Canadian guard found the DUI and refused our friend re-entry, even though he had ridden across Canada to get into AK in the first place. Interestingly, this guard told our friend to return during busier daylight hours and MAYBE the next guard wouldn't dig so deep.

He did, and made it through. Seems a luck of the draw thing.

FWIW, I lived/worked in Toronto for 5 years and the US will refuse entry to Canadians with even minor arrests (I understand Canada considers DUI the equivalent of a felony). Had a Canadian buddy with a 20 year old arrest for a bar fight when he was 18 - no entry to the US for him.

 

Interesting read. So what happens if they don't catch a DUI or felony going into Canada, but they do on the way back? They can refuse a U.S. citizen entry in to his own country? What happens then? You would be forced to stay in a country that didn't want you in the first place?

 

On the way out of Canada and into the States, you will deal with US officers. They aren't going to deny you entry if your a citizen of the US

 

I just went through all this last year, so perhaps I can clear up some misinformation.

These days, to get into Canada with any type of criminal history, regardless of how minor an offense, or how long ago it was, you will need to get approved for a 'Rehabilitation Waiver' prior to your crossing into Canada.

It takes approximately 12-15 months from the time you apply, to the time you get approved or denied. Cost is $200 USD. Details for what you need to apply can be found at the Canadian Customs web site. It's a pretty involved process. Pay close attention to the application details, as some of the required documents are time sensitive (such as the FBI fingerprint clearance certificate).

And yes, along with your Rehabilitation Waiver, you will need a valid passport to get both in & out of Canada.

As others have mentioned, admission into Canada is at the discretion of the Border agent you just happen to get when you try to cross. It's his/her decision to admit/deny you, regardless of any criminal history, Rehabilitation Waiver or not, etc.

Yea, yea, I've heard all the stories about 'this guy' or 'my friend' who was let in with no problem, even though they had a DUI from 20 years ago, etc. If you want to chance it, best of luck.

 

General Comment:

Post 911 reality , changed the border security on both sides forever and both sides can sometimes draw a hard line, shame of it is that most traffic crossing each day is simple travel and cross border business. Think there are some contingencies(pardons or record cleaning) to have old records (DUI and such) after an extended period of years, removed but not 100% sure on that. Each country has it own consideration of what constitutes criminal records (DUI being one potential), and pretty sure former drug offences no matter how old are considered real bad news but again worth asking the question before heading to the border, and perhaps this was a significant number of years past. Both sides are pretty damn serious these days even with some professional types on duty. just my 0.2 worth.

 

you need to apply for a pardon if you have a record before you get a passport. You can apply for a waiver to travel across the border as long as you only have one DUI when you were young and dumb then you shouldn't have a problem, unless of course you get some pisant custom officer who has it out for bikers then you best get that passport. Canadians are great people and we get better the further away you get from southern Ontario, that is once you get in the country. Good luck to you.

 

Not true. Passports are regularly issued to people with past criminal histories (not active/open cases, however).

Also false. Canadian Rehabilitation Waivers are regularly issued to people with more than one criminal offense, including multiple DUI's (see Canadian Customs web site for criteria).

 

I've read every response so far and while some are spot on and others are "Friday Night Drinkin' Experts"... the one thing I can tell you for sure is they can make it hard on you! Remember it's their country and ultimately it's their rules .... I've sat for longer than I cared to a couple of times over the years, just because some "Over Zealous" ( Canadian Border Agent ) and some "In A Hurry" ( me ) jerk didn't see eye to eye ... just my.02 cents worth.

 

It really doesn't seem like a place I have any desire to visit if they treat everyone crossing as a terrorist. I guess they will lock you up for possession of a folding knife which many bikers carry??

I've heard the horror stories before about the Canadian Crossing Guards and you guys just enforced everything I heard. Guess I'll stay on the US side and look at the falls.....