Multiple DUI

[kheale01]

My wife has more than one DUI/DWI (two, or maybe three, although the third might have been pleaded down to a lesser charge). These all happened before we even dated - I know, even one speaks to a certain disregard for societal norms and for the safety of herself and others, but that's all in the past, and she is a great mom to our two kids. All of the offenses occurred more than 10 years ago. There have been no other offenses of any kind in the intervening years. I know that, for the purposes of being allowed in to Canada, an individual can be considered to be rehabilitated by time if there was only one offense, but will the presence of more than one prevent us from even considering moving to Canada from the US? Does anyone have direct/personal experience with something like this? I have looked at the Canadian visa websites and I know that one can petition the Canadian government, but I was just wondering whether the attempt is usually met with success or if the government usually shoots down the application.

Thanks for any insight...

 

[taffy7]

I hope some one can shed more light on this, but i think that with more than one DUI your wife is not admissible to Canada even with 10 years that has passed .

 

[zardoz]

This may be helpful reading. http://immigrationcanada.pro/criminal-issues/

 

[mpottier]

Yes your wife would have to apply for individual rehabilitation. There is no automatic 10 year deemed rehabilitation in her case, this is only for single offence cases. From what you have told us it would be matter of filling out the application (it's pretty short) and supplying all the documents showing the fines have been paid, FBI checks, court docs etc etc. Since you say 10 years have passed since the completion of the sentence then it should be ok. My wife recently got rehabilitation and supplied all kinds of character references etc. but they didn't really care all they wanted to see was that 5 or more years had passed since the incident(s). Then she got rehabilitation no problem. We actually did ours at a border crossing at New Brunswick/Maine, because my wife and I live near the border. Only took a few days to get. It is a big money grab, and even if you are refused you can apply again and again, their is no limit. While's DUI's are no laughing matter, they are not international inadmissibility caliber. People with driving convictions should not have the exact same restrictions placed on them as war criminals and mob bosses. A little perspective is needed. I have yet to see a crime that appears on an individuals record that does not make them inadmissible.

 

[ninahaddad]

I hope some one can shed more light on this, but i think that with more than one DUI your wife is not admissible to Canada even with 10 years that has passed .

What ever happened with your application? I am in the same boat. I am Canadian living in the US applying for PR my American husband had 3 SUIs 201y years ago. Curious to find out what they told you...