A DUI can get you turned away at the Canadian border
This is the one that surprises people, so it's worth knowing well before you book.
Why a DUI matters at the Canadian border
Canada treats impaired driving (DUI/DWI) as a serious criminal offence. Under Canadian law, a conviction from outside the country can make you "criminally inadmissible" — meaning you can be refused entry. This can apply to a single, decades-old DUI, and U.S. and Canadian record systems are shared, so the border officer can see it.
Where it catches people out:
- Alaska cruises — many sail through or stop in Canada (Vancouver, Victoria, Prince Rupert)
- New England & Canada cruises — Halifax, Saint John, Quebec
- Road trips and even flights connecting through a Canadian airport
The two ways to enter anyway
If a past offence could affect you, you generally have two routes — and both are best sorted well in advance, not at the border:
- Temporary Resident Permit (TRP): permission to enter for a specific reason and period. A strong application can be valid for multiple visits, up to three years.
- Criminal Rehabilitation: the permanent fix. You're typically eligible to apply five years after completing your full sentence (fines, probation, the lot). Once approved, the inadmissibility is resolved for good.
In some cases — a single, non-serious offence and enough time elapsed (often around 10 years) — you may be "deemed rehabilitated" automatically. Whether you qualify is a judgment call, so it's worth confirming rather than assuming.
The official rules are on the Government of Canada's inadmissibility pages.
If there's any chance this applies to you, tell us early — ideally before you put money down on a cruise that touches Canada. We'll help you understand your options and the timelines so a great trip doesn't end at the gangway.
Entry rules change often, and the details above reflect what we knew on May 25, 2026. Always confirm with the official source before you book or travel — or let us check it for your specific trip.