puckinbuff said:
I'm trying to help out a hobbiest visiting from New Hampshire. (Yes, people actually do live there.) He has a DUI on his record, not a felony, and didn't think of asking if it is a Misdemeanor.
Will he be allowed over the border?
He is not legally allowed to enter Canada. It doesn't matter whether it's a misdemeanor or a felony--what matters is what a DUI would mean if he had been convicted in Canada--and the answer is that he's inadmissible.
They might not ask him at the border--they probably won't--in which case he could cross. However if they do ask he MUST tell the truth--lying to an immigration official is a big deal, and as far as Canada is concerned, much worse than what he has on his record.
If they find out they will refuse him entry. If it's been more then ten years since his conviction, and especially if he has a pardon from the state that convicted him, then he can appeal the refusal by asking to be considered "rehabilitated". He would have to show that since his conviction ten years have passed, that he has had no further convictions, and probably get some letters of reference from upstanding people saying what a great guy he is.
For a misdemeanor that's ten years old and especially if he can get a pardon from his home state I would think the rehabilitation would be straight forward. It would take a few months though, to go through.
He ought to at least get the pardon from his home state if he can--Canada is not the only country with such entry rules. If he ever wants to travel he ought to deal with this.
