Canadian Travel with Criminal History

Usually I drive by the border building at 60 MPH while flashing my passport at the agents. They are too polite to say anything.

Farmboy666 wrote:

MDKMDK wrote:

Fizz wrote:

Jim@HiTek wrote:
Just cross over at a small town. They'll barely even look at you other than asking where you're coming from, where you're going, and how long you'll stay.

Don't worry about it.

Every crossing has computers and check your plates.

Some will even ask you what your plate number is ("my camera missed your plate, what is it, please?"), to see if you know your own license number.

If knowing your own license plate number is a requirement I hope they have a uturn lane. I have 1 car, 3 trucks, and RV and 3 motorcycles. I know my zipcode.

As long as you're not driving all of them when you cross, you should be OK. If you are driving them all, that might arouse suspicion.

Someone suggested contacting CDN Border Services. That is THE best answer, right there.

Having said that..have a plan B. If you are determined to get to Alasksa and you have been turned back you could a) drive to the west coast and arrange for a ferry from Bellingham, Wa. to Alaska and return. b) have someone drive your RV to Anchorage and you fly up..and back when you are done. c) Fly you and your party to Alaska, rent an RV..do the thing, return same way.

Those that say they have no interest in visiting Canada? Why do people have to be rude like that? It can't be about guns..you can ship them to Alaska. It is just..rude. You have no idea what you are missing, and that's too bad. Great people..just like in the US. Great geographical things to see..just like in US. Lots of critters..just like US. Better beer tho.


Gary Haupt

MDKMDK wrote:

Fizz wrote:

Jim@HiTek wrote:
Just cross over at a small town. They'll barely even look at you other than asking where you're coming from, where you're going, and how long you'll stay.

Don't worry about it.

Every crossing has computers and check your plates.

Some will even ask you what your plate number is ("my camera missed your plate, what is it, please?"), to see if you know your own license number.

If knowing your own license plate number is a requirement I hope they have a uturn lane. I have 1 car, 3 trucks, and RV and 3 motorcycles. I know my zipcode.

Fizz wrote:

Jim@HiTek wrote:
Just cross over at a small town. They'll barely even look at you other than asking where you're coming from, where you're going, and how long you'll stay.

Don't worry about it.

Every crossing has computers and check your plates.

Some will even ask you what your plate number is ("my camera missed your plate, what is it, please?"), to see if you know your own license number.

Jim@HiTek wrote:
Just cross over at a small town. They'll barely even look at you other than asking where you're coming from, where you're going, and how long you'll stay.

Don't worry about it.

Every crossing has computers and check your plates.

allen8106 wrote:
I've been reading posts about not being permitted entry in to Canada if you've ever been arrested, especially with a DUI convction. Unfortunatey I've had the experience of being arrested more than once back in my younger stupid days and one was in fact a DUI conviction more than 35 years ago. I've traveled in and out of Canada several times over the last 5 years on business without even a hiccup. I'm planning a Canadian/Alaskan trip upon retirement. Is there any reason to expect issues entering into Canada for this retirement trip?

Just another thought.
Do you have now, or have you considered getting, membership in the NEXUS trusted traveler program? It might make border crossings less worrisome, because it vets you pretty thoroughly on both sides of the border. If you do get accepted and get your NEXUS card, it tells the border agents you've been checked out by just about every major law enforcement agency in the US and Canada. Makes border crossing much faster, because you've been pre-approved for entry. Cost per person is US$50 for 5 years. Caveat: Everyone in the vehicle has to have one, if you use the NEXUS lane at the port of entry. No other id documents allowed, including passports.
However, as some others have said, if you haven't had any issues to date, probably not needed. They may have already decided that you're admissible.

Life is so unfair. Some people want to go to Canada, but they have a criminal history. Others, like me, have no criminal history and no desire to go to Canada. I wish I could gift you my Canada credits.

Farmboy666 wrote:
If it hasn’t come up when you’ve crossed in the last five yrs what makes you think it would. They have all the records of your travels and as much information as they need and let you cross. I think they have some common sense.

The wife had a DUI conviction that was about 20 years old, when she first crossed, in the early 2000s. That would make her event 37 Y.O, at this point. In the 12-15 crossing since, it continues to be a non-event. If the OP has several crossings in the last few years, IMHO, his past is a non-event, and those of you who advise that he go looking for problems by contacting the CBSA, are heading in the wrong direction. Chances are a 35 Y.O offense, (possibly handled exclusively at a county level in the states) was done completely on paper, (no computer generated paper trail) and sent to records storage, decades ago.

Just cross over at a small town. They'll barely even look at you other than asking where you're coming from, where you're going, and how long you'll stay.

Don't worry about it.