Travel has become increasingly restricted as we are all painfully aware.  Many of us in the United States travel frequently to visit our friendly neighbor, Canada, and may not think much about entry requirements (other than the now-required passport).  A little-known barrier to entry to Canada is a prior criminal conviction, even if a minor offense.  For example, Canadian law may deny entry if you have been convicted of a minor offense such as theft, shoplifting, assault, or illegal substance possession.  Other more serious offenses are also reason to deny entry and these would include DWI convictions.  Additional details are available from the Canada Border Services Agency website.

Travel into the United States from Canada is slightly less restrictive but does not allow entry if you have a communicable disease or have been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude (among other restrictions).  U.S. Customs and Border Protection offers further detail of such crimes and the process for applying for temporary waivers of inadmissibility on its website. It also states, “At this time, driving under the influence, breaking and entering, disorderly conduct and simple assault are not considered crimes that make a person inadmissible.”

When traveling to or from our neighboring country, keep this in mind, and if you have any questions or doubts, check the U.S. or Canadian government websites.  Better to be prepared, than to have a trip aborted at the airport.