I’ve tried the online Canadian Govt. site, and tried to email the embasey in Wash DC but have not found what I need. I have an opportunity to work in Halifax this winter, and since my current contract expires soon, this is a great opportunity. Problem is, I need to find out if Canada will let me in on a work visa! I hear they are strict about certain criminal things, and I have a ‘drunk in public’ from a few years ago. Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks, Tom.
I’m unsure how the Canadian government would view a “drunk in public” conviction–to them, it may not be a criminal conviction, it may be more like a speeding ticket. However, I’ll add that I simply don’t know off the top of my head how the government would view it.
But this Canadian government page might be able to tell you more, or at least serve as a starting point for this question. Note that according to the linked page, factors such as time since the conviction can also come into play. At any rate, start with the linked page (note especially Question 11), and see what you can find out from there.
Halifax (and most of the maritimes) has a strict REQUIREMENT for previous drunk and disorderly experience, so welcome!
Regards,
Canada
Spoons, I have looked at that site, and it sure isn’t user friendly. I’ve tried for quite a while to locate the rehabilitation form with no luck either… guess I haven’t looked hard enough. I’ve also checked out the Canadian Penal Code to see if there was any similar law and it didn’t seem so… I guess if I finally fine the rehab form, and check the “For Information Only” box, I’ll see if that will do the trick. I just hope it won’t cos that $200 or $500 non refundable fee!!!
later, Tom.
Yes phreesh, I understand that IS the case in the area! Guess that’s why I want to know if it’s going to be a big deal for me to work there.
Doesn’t seem too easy to get inot Canada if you have ANY type of record.
According to Wikipedia, public intoxication laws in Canada are determined by provincial law, now federal law. As far as I can tell, criminal inadmissibility to Canada is determined by whether the offense is a crime under the Criminal Code of Canada, the federal code of laws. So if I had to guess (FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON’T RELY ON THIS GUESS AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION), I would guess that you’d be OK. If you’ve got time to spare, I’d fill out the rehabilitation form “for information only” (as linked to by Spoons above) and see what they say.
Nine out of ten of the stories you hear about Americans being caught unawares by their inadmissibility to Canada, by the way, involve prior drunk driving convictions. DUI is an offense under the Criminal Code of Canada and so is grounds for inadmissibility.
Upon further examination, the only offense I could find (after a quick scan) in the Criminal Code of Canada that might apply to you would be “causing a disturbance”.
If we’re likely going to let kleptocracy moghul Baron von Black back into Canada after he renounced his citizenship, and was convited on multiple charges (at least one stuck) and done time in Club Fed, why would we keep someone out for a misdemeanor?
Seriously, AFAIK it’s only the USA that is so anal about who comes in that they look at 40 year old minor crimes. (A fellow here I work was denied entry over a 40-year old juvenile conviction, but then he was somewhat inebriated after the flight and did not show sufficient respect to the customs guards).
OTOH, work visa may be different from a tourist visa. My guess however is that you will have no problem. We let murders out of prison after less than 10 years. Why would we keep someone out for being drunk once upon a time?
I suppose all you can do is apply for the visa and see what happens. Just because you get a visa does not mean you have to use it.
Many good points in your post, Mike, especially about the federal/provincial split. Convictions under the Criminal Code get a criminal record; convictions under a piece of provincial legislation don’t.
The problem is that the OP hasn’t told us quite enough to determine exactly what he was convicted of. “Drunk in public”–is that under a state criminal code, such that the OP has a record? Or did he simply receive a ticket, and/or go to court; much like somebody who gets a speeding ticket, which doesn’t result in a criminal record? Some alcohol-related offenses are in the Criminal Code, such as impaired driving and driving over 0.08%; with little information, we have no way of knowing whether one of the Criminal Code’s alcohol offenses would match up to with the OP’s offense.
But I was able to find the form, and instructions for its completion for the OP. Here you go, panman_1960, a link to the form and so on are at the bottom of this page.
Thanks all for the info.
Looks like I missed scrolling down far enough on that page :smack:! It was almost 3 years ago in California, and there was no disorderly involved. Adjudicated, fine paid. I’m hoping this will not be a factor, and it looks as if I can fill out the form for info only and there will not be a fee.
Thanks again!
later, Tom.