A DUI conviction can affect your life in many ways. It can cause you to lose your driver’s license and spend time in jail. Even if you avoid jail time, you may be placed on probation. You may also have to pay a fine and be ordered to take alcohol education classes. In addition, you may lose your job, and your DUI conviction may even affect your relationship with friends and family members.
One thing you might not have considered, however, is how a DUI conviction might affect your travel plans. If you engage in frequent foreign travel, a DUI could put a wrench in your next vacation. This is certainly something to think about before booking a ticket across the border.
Not all countries treat a DUI conviction the same. Some don’t care. Some are very strict. Some are in between and treat crimes on a case-by-case basis.
In any case, if you’re planning to leave the country in the near future, it’s a good idea to know which countries you can travel to and which ones you’ll have to avoid. To be sure, according to USA Today, the following is a short list of the countries that treat foreign DUIs in various ways; of course, the limitations may depend on the visa regime of the country, as well, and whether or not you need to apply for a visa beforehand or can simply travel to the country with only your passport.
Ultimately, it also is important to remember that international law may be constantly changing or applied differently than at home. As such, don’t hesitate to reach out to a local lawyer for more information.
Mexico
Mexico’s immigration laws are strict on those who have committed certain crimes. The country considers a DUI a felony offense. Indeed, if you have been convicted of a DUI within the past 10 years, you may not be allowed to enter Mexico pursuant to the law.
Canada
Our neighbor to the north is notorious for being strict with DUIs. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is considered a felony there, so if you have been convicted of a DUI at home, you may not be able to enter the country.
However, there are some exceptions. If you were convicted of a DUI but never spent time in jail and have an otherwise clean record, you may be able to get around the ban for a $200 fine. Also, you can enter Canada once it’s been 10 years since your DUI conviction if the crime has been expunged from your record. However, note that if your DUI has been diverted or deferred, you may not be able to enter Canada until you complete the program.
New Zealand
If you have been convicted of a DUI, you likely will still be able to travel to New Zealand unless the charges were serious. For example, if you served a prison sentence of five years or longer or served a sentence of 12 months or longer in the past 10 months, then you may face difficulties getting into the country.
China/Japan/Malaysia
These countries often ask about misdemeanor charges and will likely run background checks in order to obtain more information.
Dubai/Persian Gulf
DUI convictions are not necessarily condemned, but alcohol-related crimes are looked at negatively, especially within the country. Entry may be on a case-by-case basis.
Contact an Orlando Attorney for More Information
As is now clear, a DUI conviction in Florida can even affect your ability to travel. This can ruin your future vacation plans, especially if you have friends or family members you want to visit in a specific country.
This is why if you are ever pulled over for suspected DUI in Orlando, you should seek legal help right away. Contact the aggressive Orlando, Florida criminal defense lawyers at Moses & Rooth. We can assess the situation and reduce your charges. We might even be able to have your DUI charge dropped altogether. Schedule a consultation with our office today by calling (407) 377-0150. You can also contact us online.