Two years back I was caught by the police for drunken driving and they slapped a fine on me. I paid the fine in the court after getting summons from the court. Now I have got a chance to go abroad for higher studies. Will this case affect my passport and visa verifications?
DUI Case & Study Visa: Will It Affect Approval?
A past drunken driving (DUI) offense with a fine paid in court may impact your visa approval, depending on the country and severity of the case. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Impact on Passport Issuance
• If the case was closed with just a fine, it generally does not affect passport issuance.
• If there was a criminal conviction, it may lead to delays or rejection in passport processing.
2. Impact on Visa Approval
• USA & Canada: A DUI may affect visa approval, especially for countries that consider it a serious offense. Canada is strict about DUI offenses, but you may be eligible for rehabilitation.
• UK & Schengen: If there was no imprisonment, a minor DUI typically won’t affect the visa process.
• Australia & New Zealand: You might need to declare it, but a single minor offense usually doesn’t lead to rejection.
3. Visa Background Checks & Police Clearance
• Some countries require a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC). If your case is closed and doesn’t reflect on your criminal record, you may not face issues.
• If the visa application asks about past offenses, always disclose the incident truthfully.
4. What You Should Do
• Check your criminal record: Get a PCC from local authorities to see if the case appears in records.
• Consult the embassy of the country you’re applying to for specific visa rules on DUI offenses.
• Be honest in your application: Failure to disclose may lead to a ban.
Sharing is caring, show love and share the thread with your friends.
Please Login to reply this topic. If you do not have account, please Register.