OWI

OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) is a criminal offence involving the operation of a vehicle while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, posing a risk to public safety.

In Canada, this offence is considered a serious violation and can lead to an individual being determined as criminally inadmissible, resulting in them being refused entry at the border, whether by land or air. Under Canadian law, OWI is similar to offences such as DUI or DWI, and its severity is assessed based on the equivalent offence in Canada, typically one with a maximum sentence of at least ten years.

A person convicted of OWI abroad, after completing their sentence at least five years ago, may apply for criminal rehabilitation to resolve their inadmissibility to Canada. This process requires submitting documents such as 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.