Urgent Clarification regarding DWI and its implications

[dblooos]

Hello Seniors,
I am under a lot of stress. Actually, on Sep1, 2010 I got arrested for Driving while Intoxicated (DWI) in USA. I have applied for Permanent Immigration to Canada under Skilled Professional category. I have already sent my documents to Buffalo Visa office including the FBI clearance certificate on July 12th, 2010. My concern is would this arrest any way affect me getting my PR in Canada. Do they ask for another clearance at the time of Interview. I have no clue what are the options, I have in my hand. One of my friend was telling me that DWI in Canada is considered as a very serious offence. However, in USA it is considered as a misdemeanor. I am already very regretful of the stupid mistake that I have done. But can any body help me in figuring out what are the implications of this incident on my application. I am on F1(student visa) in USA and I am from India. Please reply what should I do and what are the impacts..

Thanks in Advance.

[PMM]

Hi

Hello Seniors,
I am under a lot of stress. Actually, on Sep1, 2010 I got arrested for Driving while Intoxicated (DWI) in USA. I have applied for Permanent Immigration to Canada under Skilled Professional category. I have already sent my documents to Buffalo Visa office including the FBI clearance certificate on July 12th, 2010. My concern is would this arrest any way affect me getting my PR in Canada. Do they ask for another clearance at the time of Interview. I have no clue what are the options, I have in my hand. One of my friend was telling me that DWI in Canada is considered as a very serious offence. However, in USA it is considered as a misdemeanor. I am already very regretful of the stupid mistake that I have done. But can any body help me in figuring out what are the implications of this incident on my application. I am on F1(student visa) in USA and I am from India. Please reply what should I do and what are the impacts..

Thanks in Advance.

You get convicted of DWI, it makes you inadmissible to Canada as a visitor or permanent resident.

[saichandra]

Hi

Am not aware of DWI or certain rulz, but i heard that application received under FSW under the IT category after June 2010 are gonna simply get rejected...contact ur consultant for more info

Good Luck

[dblooos]

PMM,
I have not yet been convicted of DWI. The hearing is on Jan 15 2011. I am not sure what would happen there. But, I have already sent all the Police and FBI clearance certificates to Buffalo Visa Office. Do they check it at the interview stage too.

[jes_ON]

They do their own background investigation, it doesn't end with the PCCs.  And even if by some miracle your PR is finalized before your court case, you can still lose your PR status with a conviction (doesn't matter that it's a misdemeanor in the US, it is a criminal offense in Canada and is therefore treated as such even if the incident was in the USA). 

So, yes, your PR status is in jeopardy, sooner or later...

You will have to decide how important this is to you - because if you want to avoid the conviction, you will probably need a good lawyer on each side of the border.  Read here for a start...

http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?faq_id=4000676