OMVI

OMVI (Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated) is a criminal offence involving the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which poses a risk to traffic safety.

In Canada, this offence is considered a serious violation and often leads to a finding of criminal inadmissibility, which may result in an individual being refused entry at the border, regardless of whether they arrive by land or air. Under Canadian law, OMVI is similar to offences such as DUI, DWI, or OWI, and its severity is assessed based on conduct equivalent to an offence with a maximum sentence of at least ten years.

If a person has been convicted of OMVI abroad and has completed their sentence at least five years ago, they may apply for criminal rehabilitation to resolve their inadmissibility to Canada. This process requires providing a criminal record, court documents, and paying a processing fee of CAD$1,148.87 if the offence is considered serious.

Processing times for applications are typically between 6 and 12 months. While waiting, they may apply for a temporary resident permit if there is a compelling reason for entry, such as work or family reunification.