Can You Go to Canada with a DUI as a Tourist? The Shocking Answer That Ruins Thousands of Vacations Every Year
No, you cannot enter Canada as a tourist with a DUI conviction on your record—you’re criminally inadmissible under Canadian immigration law. However, you can overcome this inadmissibility through deemed rehabilitation (automatic after 10 years from sentence completion for pre-2018 single DUIs), a Temporary Resident Permit (for short tourist trips), or Criminal Rehabilitation (permanent solution after 5 years from sentence completion). Without one of these solutions, Canadian border officers will deny your entry and turn you away.
Here’s the devastating reality thousands of American tourists face every year: you’ve planned a ski trip to Whistler, booked a Niagara Falls vacation, or arranged a Canadian cruise—only to be pulled into secondary inspection at the border and sent home because of a DUI from years ago. Even if that DUI happened 20 years ago and you’ve never had another issue, Canada can still deny your entry without the proper documentation. Your tourist plans? Canceled. Your money? Often non-refundable.
Why Canada Treats Tourists with DUIs Like Criminals
Canada doesn’t care that you’re “just a tourist.” Under Canadian immigration law, a DUI conviction makes you criminally inadmissible—period. It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting for business, tourism, or family reasons.
Canadian law treats impaired driving as a hybrid offense that can be prosecuted as either a summary offense (similar to a US misdemeanor) or an indictable offense (similar to a US felony). At the border, immigration officials treat ALL hybrid offenses as indictable—meaning your misdemeanor DUI is treated like a serious crime.
Before December 18, 2018, DUI carried a maximum penalty of 5 years in Canada. After Bill C-46 passed, that jumped to 10 years, reclassifying DUI as “serious criminality.” This single law change eliminated automatic forgiveness for most DUI convictions and affects everyone—tourists, business travelers, and transit passengers alike.
What Happens at the Border When You’re a Tourist with a DUI
Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers have instant access to FBI criminal databases. The moment you hand over your passport, they see your entire criminal history—including DUI convictions from decades ago.
Here’s what typically happens:
1. Initial Screening Border officer scans your passport and sees the DUI conviction in their system.
2. Secondary Inspection You’re pulled aside for additional questioning. Your travel companions may have to wait or proceed without you.
3. Questioning Officers ask about your conviction, when it happened, what your sentence was, whether you completed everything, and whether you have any documentation proving you’re eligible to enter Canada.
4. Admissibility Decision If you don’t have proper documentation (deemed rehabilitation proof, TRP approval, or Criminal Rehabilitation certificate), you’re denied entry.
5. Return to US You’re turned back. A formal denial is entered into Canadian immigration systems, making future entry even harder.
6. Vacation Ruined Your hotel reservations, event tickets, cruise departure—everything is lost, often with no refunds.
Your Three Paths to Tourist Travel in Canada with a DUI
Path 1: Deemed Rehabilitation (Wait 10 Years, Pay Nothing)
What It Is: Automatic eligibility to enter Canada after 10 years from completing your entire sentence. No application required—it’s free.
Who Qualifies:
- One DUI only (no other criminal convictions)
- DUI occurred before December 18, 2018
- At least 10 years since completing ALL sentence requirements (probation, fines, license suspension, DUI classes)
- DUI didn’t involve injury, death, or weapons
The Critical Timeline: The 10-year clock starts when you finished the LAST element of your sentence—usually probation. If your DUI was in 2012 but probation ended in 2015, you’re not eligible until 2025.
For Tourist Travel: This is the ideal solution if you can wait. Once you’re deemed rehabilitated, you can vacation in Canada freely without applications, fees, or restrictions.
The Catch: Even if you technically qualify, border officers may not recognize your eligibility without proof. Bring court documents showing your sentence completion date, or obtain a Legal Opinion Letter from a Canadian immigration attorney ($1,500-$3,000).
Learn more: I had a DUI 10 years ago—can I finally go to Canada?
For much older convictions: I had a DUI 30 years ago—can I go to Canada?
Path 2: Temporary Resident Permit (For Short Tourist Trips)
What It Is: Temporary permission to enter Canada despite your DUI. Valid for a single trip or multiple entries for up to 3 years.
Best For Tourists:
- Short vacation trips (1-2 weeks)
- Specific events (weddings, concerts, sporting events)
- Cruise itineraries that include Canadian ports
- Travel before you’re eligible for deemed rehabilitation or Criminal Rehabilitation
Cost:
- Government fee: $200 CAD (~$145 USD)
- Immigration attorney assistance: $1,000-$3,500
- Total: $1,145-$3,645
Processing Time:
- Through consulate: 3-8 months
- Emergency TRP at border: Same day (extremely risky—high denial rate)
Required Documentation:
- Certified court records (conviction, sentencing)
- Proof of sentence completion (probation completion letter, fine receipts, license reinstatement)
- Detailed travel itinerary (hotel reservations, event tickets, return flights)
- Letter explaining why your tourist trip is important
- Character references
- FBI background check
Validity Period: Can be issued for a single entry or up to 3 years for multiple tourist trips. If you vacation in Canada annually, a multi-entry TRP saves money over applying repeatedly.
The Tourist Strategy: Apply 4-6 months before your planned trip. Don’t book non-refundable travel until you have TRP approval in hand.
Path 3: Criminal Rehabilitation (Permanent Tourist Access)
What It Is: A formal application that permanently removes your DUI inadmissibility. Once approved, you can vacation in Canada anytime, forever, without restrictions.
Eligibility:
- At least 5 years since completing ALL sentence requirements
- Available regardless of how old your DUI is
Best For Tourists:
- Frequent Canadian vacationers
- Canadians with cottages or property in Canada
- Snowbirds who winter in Canada
- Anyone who wants permanent peace of mind
Cost:
- Government fee: $246-$1,231 CAD depending on offense classification
- Immigration attorney assistance: $2,500-$5,000+
- Total: $2,700-$6,200+
Processing Time: 12-18 months through Canadian consulates
Why It Beats Repeated TRPs: If you vacation in Canada regularly, one Criminal Rehabilitation application ($2,700+) is cheaper than multiple TRPs ($1,145+ each trip) over the years.
The Tourist Calculation:
- 1-2 trips total: Get TRP as needed
- 3+ trips over lifetime: Criminal Rehabilitation pays for itself
- Annual Canadian vacations: Criminal Rehabilitation is essential
Learn more: Can I go to Canada with a DUI? Why 2018 changed everything
If you’re at the 5-year mark: I had a DUI 5 years ago—can I go to Canada?
How to Calculate When You Can Vacation in Canada
Your sentence completion date determines everything. The clock starts when you finished the LAST of these requirements:
- Jail time served
- Probation completed
- All fines paid in full
- Court costs paid
- Community service finished
- DUI programs/classes completed
- License fully reinstated (not just eligible—actually reinstated)
- Ignition interlock device removed
- Restitution paid
- Any other court-ordered requirements satisfied
Tourist Travel Timeline Example:
DUI Conviction: June 2017
Sentenced: 3 days jail (time served), $1,800 fine, 3 years probation, 1-year license suspension, 12-week DUI program
Completion Dates:
- Jail: June 2017 (time served at conviction)
- Fine: August 2017 (paid in installments)
- License: June 2018 (reinstated after 1 year)
- DUI program: September 2017 (12 weeks)
- Probation: June 2020 (last element completed)
Eligibility Dates:
- Criminal Rehabilitation eligible: June 2025 (5 years after probation)
- Deemed rehabilitation eligible: June 2030 (10 years after probation)
If you want to vacation in Canada before June 2030, you need either a TRP (available now) or Criminal Rehabilitation (available after June 2025).
Special Tourist Scenarios
Cruise Passengers: If your cruise stops in Canadian ports (Vancouver, Victoria, Halifax, Montreal), you’re entering Canada and need to be admissible. Many cruisers are shocked to be denied boarding or turned away at ports. Apply for a TRP 4-6 months before departure.
Driving Through Canada to Alaska: Even if you’re just transiting through Canada to reach Alaska, you’re entering Canadian territory and need to be admissible. Get a TRP or Criminal Rehabilitation before attempting the drive.
Last-Minute Tourist Trips: Emergency TRPs at the border are extremely risky for tourists. Officers have discretion to deny, and denial creates a permanent record. Apply through consulates well in advance.
Multiple DUIs: Two or more DUI convictions permanently disqualify you from deemed rehabilitation. Your only options are TRP (temporary) or Criminal Rehabilitation (permanent). Time alone never fixes multiple DUIs.
Expunged Tourist Records: Canada doesn’t recognize US expungement. Even if your DUI was expunged or sealed, border officers can see it in FBI databases and will deny entry without proper documentation.
What to Pack for Canadian Tourist Travel with a DUI
If You’re Deemed Rehabilitated (10+ Years, Pre-2018 DUI):
- Court records showing conviction and sentencing dates
- Proof of sentence completion (probation completion, fine receipts)
- Legal Opinion Letter from Canadian attorney (recommended)
- FBI background check showing clean record
If You Have TRP Approval:
- Original TRP approval letter from IRCC
- Copy of your TRP application
- Passport and travel documents
- Travel itinerary matching your TRP application
If You Have Criminal Rehabilitation Certificate:
- Original Criminal Rehabilitation certificate
- Passport and travel documents
Never Bring:
- Assumptions that “it’s been so long, they won’t care”
- Hope that border officers won’t check
- Non-refundable cruise tickets or hotel bookings without TRP approval first
The Cost of Ruined Vacations
Here’s what Americans with DUIs lose when denied entry as tourists:
- Non-refundable hotel reservations: $500-$3,000+
- Event tickets: $200-$1,000+ (concerts, sporting events, theater)
- Cruise fares: $1,500-$8,000+ per person
- Airline tickets: $300-$1,500+
- Rental car deposits: $200-$800
- Lost vacation time: Priceless
- Humiliation and stress: Priceless
Total potential losses: $2,700-$14,300+ per denied trip.
Compare that to getting proper documentation:
- TRP: $1,145-$3,645 (covers multiple trips if multi-entry)
- Criminal Rehabilitation: $2,700-$6,200+ (permanent solution)
The investment in legal entry far outweighs the cost of ruined vacations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I enter Canada as a tourist if my DUI was 15 years ago?
If it was before December 2018, you have only one DUI, and you completed your sentence at least 10 years ago, you likely qualify for deemed rehabilitation. Bring documentation proving sentence completion.
Q: What if I just want to visit Niagara Falls for a day trip?
You’re still entering Canada and need to be admissible. Day trips, short vacations, and extended stays all require the same entry eligibility.
Q: Can I apply for a TRP at the border for my vacation?
Technically yes, but it’s extremely risky. Officers can deny on the spot, and you’ll lose all your vacation plans. Apply through consulates 3-8 months in advance.
Q: How much does a TRP cost for a 1-week tourist trip?
$200 CAD government fee + $1,000-$3,500 legal fees = approximately $1,145-$3,645 total. A multi-entry TRP (valid up to 3 years) costs the same but covers multiple vacations.
Q: What if my cruise is in 2 months and I just learned about this?
Contact a Canadian immigration attorney immediately. Emergency TRP processing may be possible, but there’s no guarantee. You may need to cancel and rebook for a later date after obtaining TRP approval.
Q: Do I need Criminal Rehabilitation if I only vacation in Canada once every few years?
Not necessarily. TRPs work for occasional trips. Criminal Rehabilitation makes sense for frequent vacationers (3+ trips total) or anyone who wants permanent access without repeated applications.
Q: What happens if I’m denied at the border during a vacation?
You’re turned back to the US. Any travel arrangements in Canada (hotels, events, tours) are lost, usually with no refunds. A denial record is created, making future entry harder without TRP or Criminal Rehabilitation.
Q: Can I hire a Canadian immigration attorney to help with my tourist TRP?
Yes, and it’s highly recommended. Immigration attorneys significantly increase approval rates and help avoid costly mistakes that lead to denials.
The Bottom Line for US Tourists
Can you go to Canada with a DUI as a tourist? Not without one of three things:
- Deemed rehabilitation eligibility (10+ years since sentence completion, pre-2018 single DUI)
- Temporary Resident Permit (temporary access for specific trips)
- Criminal Rehabilitation approval (permanent access for all future vacations)
Don’t risk ruining your Canadian vacation by showing up unprepared. Calculate your eligibility, gather your documentation, and either wait for deemed rehabilitation or apply for a TRP/Criminal Rehabilitation well before your planned trip.
The cost of proper documentation ($1,145-$6,200) is far less than the cost of canceled vacations, lost deposits, and the humiliation of being denied entry at the border.
Consult with a Canadian immigration attorney to determine the best path for your specific situation, timeline, and tourist travel needs.
Official Resources:
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship
- Canadian Border Services Agency: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
- Temporary Resident Permits: canada.ca/temporary-resident-permit
- Criminal Rehabilitation: canada.ca/criminal-rehabilitation
- US State Department Canada Travel: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Canada.html
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Canadian immigration law is complex and highly fact-specific. Entry decisions are made by Canadian Border Services Agency officers on a case-by-case basis. Consult with a qualified Canadian immigration attorney for personalized guidance regarding your specific tourist travel situation before attempting to enter Canada with a DUI conviction.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a former criminal defense attorney with hands-on experience in cases involving DUIs, petty theft, assault, and false accusations. Through All About Lawyer, she now helps readers understand their legal rights, the criminal justice process, and how to protect themselves when facing charges.
Read more about Sarah