A DUI (driving under the influence) conviction on your criminal record can negatively affect your travel plans due to DUI travel restrictions around the world. Attitudes toward DUI convictions vary throughout the world, as do the accompanying DUI travel restrictions. There is no doubt that drinking and driving are dangerous. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says that 28 Americans are killed in crashes involving impaired drivers every single day. MADD Canada says that on average 4 Canadians per day are killed. If you have a DUI record, you probably realized how serious it was after the fact.
Fortunately for those charged with a DUI, the majority of countries do not consider impaired driving to be a ‘criminal’ or ‘felony’ offence. Unless a DUI offence is severe enough to warrant jail/prison time, most countries have no problem admitting those with a single DUI conviction. Unlike the United States, Canada, on the other hand, is one of the few countries in the world that considers a DUI to be an inadmissible offence and may deny entry to those convicted. As is the case in Canada, this is also true in other countries.
Now that it has happened, you are moving on with your life and probably have considered how your conviction will affect your ability to travel. This depends on where you want to travel. DUI tis dui a felony in canada may be possible depending on the situation.
Are there countries you can’t travel to with a criminal record?
In some countries, DUI is considered a misdemeanour. In others, it is a serious criminal offence no matter how it was prosecuted in your country. Some countries will consider whether or not you did jail time and for how long. Some will look at whether there were aggravating factors such as multiple incidents or accidents causing injury. The amount of time since the offence will also be a factor in your travel plans.
Whenever you are asked by a foreign official if you have a criminal record, you should be honest. Otherwise, you could be arrested and detained or banned for life. If you are not admissible, sometimes one-time exceptions are made and other times they aren’t. Explain your situation plainly and hope for the best. You might consider bringing court documents to show the nature of the offence. If you have not received advance permission to enter with a record, the ultimate decision will be up to the border official you encounter.
Rules involving admissibility to countries change a lot. Check with the consulate before travelling.
Places where DUI travel is possible
United States: A single DUI conviction will not prevent you from entering the United States. However, if it is combined with other charges or if there are multiple charges, you could be denied entry and their DUI travel restrictions are stronger than many other nations.
Due to Covid-19, travel restrictions have been extended and will remain in place across the Canada and US border until December 21st, 2020 as they work closely and collaboratively, to stop the spread of the virus (COVID-19). Several restrictions are in place for travellers from Canada who are going into the United States, including those who have obtained a US Entry Waiver.
Though travel restrictions have hindered travel to the US, now is the best time to start get started on your US Entry Waiver application, as it can take approximately 6 – 18 months to compile the application. There are currently no delays in processing US Entry Waivers. To find out more about your travel options to the US during this time, visit our resources page.
