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| I just found out I may not be allowed into Canada due to a dui I recieved about 6 years ago even though I got court supervision for it. I was told that I'm inadmissable by a guy from the governmnet office, but then he said
that the border patrolman may allow me in after a bunch of paperwork and some extra money? Can anybody help clarify this matter. I'm suppose to go Aug 14-20. I need to know
if I should cancel my trip. |
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| I have gone through Warroad the past 4 years and NEVER been asked by the border guard if I had a DUI.
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Location: The Yahara Chain | I have a friend who wasn't allowed in due to a DUI on his record. I don't think anybody asked him, they found it on the internet.
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| thanks ballcap, that is good to know. i've never been to Canada and my friend is going to kill me if they don't let me enter. I keep reading conflicting information.
We would enter around Baudette. Any other experiences or advice would be greatly appreciated. I didn't know if they ask you questions or just check your driver's license. |
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| I had never been asked either... until THIS YEAR. This year the 4 of us (all Canada Regulars) had to go "park", had I.D's scanned and checked. After a 45 minute wait we finally got back on the road. We were not the only ones. There was probably 15 people waiting like us and more coming in the whole time. This was the first major check I had ever experienced and was told that they are just being more careful.
If others are going with you I recommend you not risk ruining there trip. There is paper work you can file in canada for dui, and I hear its a $200 deal but you will need to do some searching on this one. |
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| I just went through Warroad and got "thrown " in a room at Canadian Customs,,all because I clipped one corner of my license to get it to fit in my new wallet,,,Not knowing what they wanted they kept asking me do you have a "DWI",,"one more time do you have a dwi on your record"????...Never had one and they confirned that by looking at my record but learned dont ever clip your license I guess this is done to some Drivers licenses when you have had a DWI,,,From what I understand you can by a One time" crossing permit" for around $200 but its only good for once in your life,,Its a 50/50 chance you might get checked if you just want to try,,ballcaps never been checked Ive been checked the last 3 times in a row and thats been in other peoples vehicles too,, |
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| Hey guys, thanks for the responses. It's just me and my friend going up to Lake of the Woods. I guess I was stupid for not checking into this a long time ago.
I have no problem paying the extra money. I am worried my situation will ruin our annual musky fishing trip. The last thing I want is to drive 13+ hours only to be
denied access to Canada. |
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Posts: 1310
Location: Washington, PA | You can definately be denied, I know a lot of those stories. I've never been checked, but in my opinion you should contact them (not sure who, there are people here who know), and do the restitution paperwork/fee. |
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| If they do an ID search you will get denied, if they don't you won't. If you have a RABC they won't be as likely to do that search, but I don't believe you can get one if you have a dui. |
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | At the end of June we had one guy in our group who got caught at the border in Fort Frances. His DUI was two years old- they gave him a resident alien permit good for the 7 day duration of our trip & told him that once he left Canada he could not come back for three more years and that They consider +5 years with no violation to be rehabilitated. So it seems there is some descretion/latitude on the custom's individual's part. Yes, it cost him $200 Canadian (~$180US) and about 1 1/2 hours time at the custom's office....
Personally, I'd go but be ready to spend the time and part with the extra cash. Of course it also helps if you don't act like a criminal or give them an ugly American attitude. Answer all questions with yes /no truthfully, but don't volunteer any information or ad lib anything, and don't answer questions they are asking your buddy or vice versa.
Good luck!
Al
Edited by ESOX Maniac 7/25/2005 8:42 PM
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Posts: 699
Location: Hugo, MN | I talked with a Border official at the NW Sports Show this spring he said less than 5 years you are not admissable in to Canada, 5-10 Years you have to fill out paperwork to show that you are "rehabilitated", 10 Years + you are admissable again.
Here's the website with the information http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/guides/5312ETOC.html |
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| Just got back from LOTW (lake of the wind). We went through Warroad, the 4 guy's with the RABC permits had no problems going through, just the normal questions about beer and what we are up to, the two guy's who didn't get the pass were asked to pull over and the licences were ran through the computer. 3 or 4 other cars were pulled over waiting for people as well. |
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | pleasehelp- Just read the website link- obviously the Canadian Custom's Officer's have some latitude, i.e., they make the final decision. They can let you in, and they did for my buddy. I'm guessing the folks that get turned back were copping an attitude. My advice is to be polite and respectful and don't make any wave's/stupid comments, after all it's their country. Also keep in mind in most custom's offices you are also being video taped, so don't be stupid and whisper or make any comments to your buddy, or anyone else who's in line for the same problem.
You may also want to read this MF thread.
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=21...
Good luck!
Al |
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| If you're coming up to Mylie's Place in Morson, email me at [email protected]
I'll give you some advice and let you know who to talk to about the problem. We've had a few guests in the past go through this and there are things you can do to make it easier. Be prepared to pay the bond (about $200) though. It's too late to get a permanent waiver for this trip.
Justin Gaudry
Mylie's Place Resort |
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| Thanks to everybody who replied. This is an awesome website with great information. I am definitely still going. It's my first trip to Canada and I've done too much
preparation not to go on this trip. I've already read Dick Pearson's book and watched the video and spent more money on lures just for Lake of the Woods, so what's
an extra $180. It sucks but I can't imagine not going at this point. I am very polite and I will give the border officers my utmost repect so hopefully they'll let me
into their fine country so I can break this long dry spell of not catching big toothy fish.
Thank You!
Troy from Illinois
Justin, I will shoot you an email. I will be there Aug 14 as long as they let me cross the border. |
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| i just spent the last 6 months going through the process.
if/when you have the time to do so (6 months beforehand) you should apply via the Consulate for consideration of being rehabilitated. it's a pain in the butt, and costs about $200 but it will save you the risk of any hassles at the border.
and it's permanent. do it once and don't worry about it ever again.
i had one part of mine not yet completed but "ran the gauntlet" 2 weeks ago and didn't get checked.
if you don't have the leadtime (and you don't before august) and it's been more than 5 years since DUI, you are eligible to fill out application paperwork at the border...it'll cost you $200 and a big chunk of time.
of course they also might not ask you...especially if you're in your buddy's vehicle and he's driving...
check out this site for info on the application process...it's the official Canadian immigration site.
i do suggest calling/writing them and asking for an application packet, as all the info on the website isn't totally up to date...but it'll give you a good idea of what it involves.
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/can-am/detroit/rightnav/admissible-en....
the basic lowdown on DUI is:
- under 5 years ago = no entry
- over 5 years ago = need paperwork for rehabilitated status
- over 10 years ago = considered rehabilitated w/out paperwork
though the border guards have discretion on this and might let you if under 5 years or without making you do the paperwork/payment stuff. |
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Posts: 484
Location: St. Louis, MO., Marco Is., FL, Nestor Falls, ON | Here is some advice I might offer. Baudette is a good place to cross (less traffic), but I have had my I.D. checked there as well as I. Falls. If you have a passport, use that for your I.D. It might be better if you were not driving and it were not your car. Have your driver side windows front and rear open for inspection when you pull in. Remove your sunglasses, turn off your radio, be clean shaven, look the border agent directly in the eye the whole time you are talking with him/her. Answer all questions directly, without elaboration, keep smiling and always be polite. The odds are high that you won't have your info run unless you fit some profile. Be relaxed, friendly but not a clown. The problem is that DUI is a felony offense here in Canada. Another tip, when you get up here, don't drink in the boat. There are big fines and could get you tossed out. |
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| Yeah, I think owi, dui, dwi, is by far one of the most dangerous things around. I can understand why they would not want a person who cares little for the life of others in their country. I work in the bar business and have seen much. People have a few beers, think they are okay and go out kill someone, such as what happened here to a little 7 year old girl last week, while the mom craddled the girls head waiting for police to arrive....Drinking and Driving is the worst...Ben |
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| I took part in a police office train session for dui. They allowed the officers to drink enough in one hour to get to .08...All of these guys were unable to perform tasks that they would have been able to prior to. I happen to be in NYC and people don't drive for the most part. Too easy not too, but at .08 you are impaired and putting others at risk. You are right though, it is a part of the way we live and it will continue to happen. It is really a serious thing though and should be on the minds of all of us before we choose to do it....Ben |
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| What happened? I am facing a similiar situation. |
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Posts: 23
Location: vermilion bay,ontario | check out www.andymyerslodge.com at the top of his forums he explains a lot of things. |
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canadian border question