Senneth

Hi everyone,

My fiancé and I have flights booked to Greece in just under 3 months and we have a 1 hour and 10 minute layover in Canada on our way there. I received an OVI 4 years ago (traffic violation in the states, but it is considered a criminal charge in Canada) so I have learned that I am technically inadmissible. I have done a lot of research and have determined that my options are:

1. Show up at the border and hope that the Border Guard is not in a bad mood that day and grants me an OB 389(?)
2. Apply for a TRP (Temporary Resident Permit) on my own which there is no guarantee it would be processed in time (in fact it is likely to NOT process anywhere near in time)
3. Pay an Immigration Attorney $1,300+ to prepare the paperwork for me and get it in my hands to present at the border

We are unable to cancel our flights as they are through Air Canada and all have layovers in Toronto - so then we would have $2,100 in useless flight credits (not to mention the straight loss of $400 in change fees).

What I am WONDERING is how many people in my situation (1 time OVI, no other charges before or since, only "entering" the country for a quick layover) have actually been sent BACK to the states when showing up without the TRP paperwork in hand??? I am really trying to understand how often this happens.

I really appreciate everyone's POV =)

eliztravels2

Will you actually have to go through immigration and enter Canada? I think it more likely you will just be able to stay in the transit zone.

And what is an OVI? Many of us here are non Americans and don't know your acronyms.

Senneth

Hi there! Yes, it does seem as though I would actually be going through the immigration center. I would go through customs and then enter the international holding terminal (or something to that effect).

My apologies - OVI is a DUI, or Driving Under Influence.

It is pretty much 100% that I will be faced with the possibility - I am just trying to find out how many people have actually gotten through or rather were turned back to the States instead of their next booked flight out of Canada anyways....

eliztravels2

DUI I understand. Although in Canada it is Impaired Driving. I hope you are able to get some reliable and reassuring ;responses. It is nonsensical in my mind to have go through immigration and customs while in transit, but we have to do the same travelling though LAX enroute to Australia.

Sue_xx_yy

I have little experience with these things, but here is a link that may be helpful.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resourc...2012/ob389.asp


By the way, while US to International minimum connection time in most Cdn airports is around 60 minutes and you have 70, it is a bit tight nonetheless especially for someone in your situation who may need extra time with Canada Border Agency. So I would not advise relying on number 1 solely on grounds of time. You will need all your ducks lined up in a row to make your onward flight.

kgsneds

First, I think you need to confirm that you will be going through immigrations. Customs are not the people who check your passport - they are the ones who deal with goods being imported/brought into the country. As far as I know, the US is the only country requiring persons transiting to go through customs. Often if you are only transiting, you don't go through immigrations - they simply keep you in a separate area for in-transit persons. However, that's not always the case.

I would agree that 1 is not a realistic option. With a DUI on your record, you will have to go through extra questioning at immigrations (customs deals with goods being imported). Even if you were permitted through, the chances of missing your connecting flight would be very high. Even without questioning, if there are weather or other delays, you could still find that connection time too tight.
I think #3 is probably the only option of #2 isn't going to be done in time.

Unfortunately this is a situation where doing a little research before booking tickets would have said a huge amount of hassle. There certainly must be direct flights from the US to Greece or connections via European countries where your record would not be an issue.

Senneth

Thank you all so much for your help!

We have adjusted our flights to allow enough time to do the proper paperwork with the Border Guard when we arrive.

Fingers crossed!!! lol

grads16

Senneth,

Could you give an update as to how this all worked out for you??

jerseyy16

My wife had a similar situation and unfortunately yes, even if you have one dui, you are what they call "inadmissible" even if it's just to fly through Canada. The only time when one dui would be ok is if it happened over 10 years ago and you're done with probation etc. We had to get her a TRP which is the temporary permit you mentioned and would let you go to Canada for the time needed, in our case she was given 2 years. I had a lawyer prepare it for her, it's expensive but at least was approved, I know some people do it on their own but are often denied cause the consulate is strict over this stuff...read some stuff here to give you more info: www.jtmimmigration.com/enter-canada-dui/

dvonwieg

Senneth,

What ended up happening? I have a similar situation.

Thanks