You Might be Banned from Canada
Though President Bush made an official visit to Canada back in 2004, his D.U.I. (above) technically bars him from entering the country.
Photo: drunkdrivingdefense.com
Ever done something really stupid, like drinking and driving? Your friends and family might have forgiven you, but Canada hasn't. As I learned from my new friends up in Montana, who live just 3 miles from the border, anyone who has been convicted of a crime isn't allowed to enter Canada. And we're not talking assault, but also D.U.I., shoplifting, possession of illegal substances, and the like. According to Ed Perkins over at SmarterTravel.com, the law isn't new, but the border officials' ability to search U.S. records is.
If the skeletons in your closet are blocking your way into the north country, there is hope: rehab.
You can download an "Application for Criminal Rehabilitation" and instructions from Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Office. In most cases, you'll have to wait 5 years after the conviction to apply, and the process can take several months. Not every official and every border crossing or airport will do a background check, but they all now have the ability to dig up those dirty secrets from your past.
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