If you have ever been convicted or fined for an offence you committed in the past, there is a high chance that you can be denied entry into Canada. Entry into Canada is denied for felony convictions, as well as misdemeanour ones such as driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated (DWI), driving while ability impaired (DWAI), and other forms of DUI all over the world. However, you can even with a DUI or any other criminal record, you can still be able to access Canada by overcoming your criminal inadmissibility.
Hiring a Canadian immigration lawyer for access to Canada
Criminal inadmissibility Canada can be overcome by applying for a Temporary Resident Permit that allows you to enter the country on a temporary basis. You can also remove the inadmissibility permanently by applying for Criminal Rehabilitation, or having your past criminal record suspended. When applying for any of these means, it is not required that you use a lawyer. However, since all of these applications involve long and complex legal processes, it is advisable to hire a lawyer, especially one who specializes in Canadian immigration law.
Why do you need an Immigration Lawyer when Applying to Enter Canada
1. To improve the approval chances of your application
One of the benefits of hiring a Canadian immigration lawyer such as FW Canada when seeking to enter Canada with a DUI is that they help to improve the chances of your application being approved. This is because they handle applications for several other clients, and are thus very familiar with tactics they can use to increase the chances of your application being approved.
2. To simplify the application process
As already stated, applying for access to Canada after being denied entry is a long process that requires you to file several documents. Some applications also require you to make legal arguments as to why you should be granted entry into the country. In addition, the application can take very long to be reviewed, which might be a problem if you need to travel on a short notice. Hiring a Canadian immigration lawyer helps to simplify the process for you, as the lawyer can be able to help you with the filing of the documents and preparation of persuasive legal arguments. In addition, since the lawyers have past experience with applying for entry into Canada, they can be able to advise you on ways to fast-track your application.
3. To receive advice and support during the application process
Having a lawyer when you are applying for entry into Canada provides you with a great source of advice on how to proceed with your application. For example, when you are hiring a Canadian immigration lawyer, most of the lawyers you come across will ask you to fill an online assessment form to determine your chances of success. Based on the information you provide, the lawyer will then be able to advise you on how to best proceed with the application. In addition, having a lawyer during the application process provides you with invaluable support that makes the long process bearable.
4. To prevent making of mistakes during the application process
Before you submit your application, the lawyer you hired will go through your application and be able to spot any errors that you may have made. This allows you to correct them beforehand, thus saving from having to repeat the process all over again (applications that are submitted with errors are declined and applicants have to apply again).
Tips on how to choose an Immigration Lawyer
Applying to have your Canada criminal inadmissibility removed is a very important process, and as thus should only be handled by the best legal professionals. Therefore, when you are hiring an immigration lawyer, you should make sure that you only hire the best. Below is a look at how you can choose a qualified lawyer to help you with your application.
1. Research the lawyer/law company before hiring them
Before you hire an immigration lawyer, you should talk to several lawyers and see what they can offer you. After identifying a list of lawyers with good deals, you should then embark on a thorough research to find about their reputation, and if they are reliable enough to help you with your application. This will help you to avoid hiring unreliable lawyers who are only interested in making money and not helping you.
2. Ensure the lawyer you hire is licensed
Ensuring that a lawyer is licensed to practice law is one of the most important checklist that you should confirm before you practice law. In the past, there have been cases of people who are not licensed or lawyers who have been disbarred practicing law. Hiring such a lawyer can greatly undermine your chances of your application being approved, and thus you should avoid that kind of a situation.
3. Check references
Before hiring a lawyer, you should to for references and follow up on them to ensure that the lawyer you are hiring has a good reputation. You should also check online reviews and testimonials that the lawyer has received on various online databases. This will help you to find out if the lawyer is trustworthy or not.
4. Avoid lawyers who practices too many areas
When you are hiring a lawyer to help you with applying to enter Canada, you should only choose one who specializes in immigration law. This is because the Canadian immigration law is quite complex, and thus you will need a dedicated professional who can be able to easily navigate the process.
5. Agree on the services to be provided and the fees to be charged before signing
Fees are a major issue when it comes to hiring a lawyer. A good lawyer will be honest with you about his/her fees, and the services to be provided will be clearly stated. To ensure that you get the best from the agreement, you should always discuss the fees you are required to provide before signing the contract. The contract should also clearly indicate the services that the lawyer will offer you.
Summary
A DUI conviction can result in you being denied entry into Canada, but it is possible to overcome this inadmissibility, either on a temporary or a permanent basis. The only shortcoming is that the methods of overcoming criminal inadmissibility are long and complex. However, with the help of a good Canadian immigration lawyer, you can submit a great application and receive approval to enter the country.