Photo credit to CityNews
Yesterday, CityNews interviewed our Canadian Immigration and Refugee Lawyer Will Tao in the news: American Swifties with DUI convictions may not be allowed into Canada for Vancouver concerts
“Heron Law immigration lawyer Will Tao explains that entry into Canada is on a case-by-case basis. Depending on when the crime or DUI charge occurred, it could be the deciding factor after the crime was reclassified as a heavier offense five years ago.”
Quote from the News
In the interview with CityNews 1130, Will Tao explained that Canadian immigration handles DUI convictions on a case-by-case basis, especially since DUIs were reclassified as “serious criminality” in 2019. Border officials weigh the risk posed by the individual against the benefits of their visit, such as attending a significant event like Taylor Swift’s concert. Those denied entry can apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) with proper documentation, but recent DUIs are more complex and face stricter scrutiny. Additionally, individuals with older convictions may qualify for deemed rehabilitation if over 10 years have passed since completing their sentence.
Tao emphasized the need for thorough preparation when navigating these processes.
In addition, the Daily Mail News quoted Will Tao regarding the potential issues Swifties may face crossing the Canadian border due to a past DUI: Taylor Swift fans discover they may not be able to cross Canadian border to attend the Eras Tour for surprising reason
