Canada Entrance Restrictions
 

Hope my Fodorites can help - I've heard horror stories about U.S. citizens traveling to Canada being denied entrance due to past legal problems. My hubby had a DUI when he was in college and he's 52 now - family man with a good career. I heard from a travel agent that just such a person wasn't allowed to depart on his 50th birthday cruise from Vancouver because of a 30 year old DUI charge. One can apply for a permit that "deems you are rehabilitated" but it costs $200 and takes up to 6 months. We have a cruise out of Vancouver booked and are concerned. Multiple calls to the Canadian consulate in L.A. have not been returned. Advice much appreciated!

This is the government website on the topic, http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/f...issibility.asp

Note the new one time fee waiver policy effective March 1, 2012 and the deemed rehabilitated rules.

You should still try to make contact with the Consulate and you always have to remember that the Border Officials can always make arbitrary decisions.

It is true they are very particular about DUI from long ago if not handled will prohibit entry. www.travel.state.gov Canada for details procedure. Handle this before you go. Trip Cover always wise. If it is not handled change your plans.

Good luck!

US and Canada has similar regualtions that they will not let in travellers with criminal records. I know of people who is not allowed to board a plane becasue of a "possession" charge from years ago, even if it is in transit. Get that permit done and over with.

As a Canadian, I'm a little disenheartened to know that there are such unreasonable restrictions re entry. I know things on our mutual border have tightened up considerably since 9/11, due in part to the mistaken belief that the terrorists entered the US through Canada. The new requirement that US citizens must have a passport to reenter the States has had a dampening effect on tourism here; many Americans just don't want to go to the trouble of getting one for a short trip. Apparently the same is not true for Canadians travelling south, as a much higher percentage of us have passports.