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-   -   International travel for convicted felons (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=37557)

  • Oct 17, 2006, 12:07 AM
    starjay
    International travel for convicted felons
    My friend is a convicted felon. I know he can't travel to canada until five years past the date of his crime or the end of his sentence (whichever is later)...

    But what about other countries? In particular europe? France, uk, etc.

    Will be denied entry? At the border? He already has a passport.
  • Oct 17, 2006, 05:05 AM
    RickJ
    I don't know the answer, but since so many countries' policies/laws will vary, I would have him ask a local travel agent - or local AAA office. I'd think either of them would have some info on this subject for various locations.
  • Nov 20, 2006, 01:31 PM
    velvetjones
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by starjay
    my friend is a convicted felon. i know he can't travel to canada until five years past the date of his crime or the end of his sentence (whichever is later)...

    but what about other countries? in particular europe? france, uk, etc.

    will be be denied entry? at the border? he already has a passport.

    Contact the consulate for each of the countries he wants to visit before buying those tickets, that's for sure.
  • Mar 13, 2007, 09:41 PM
    alderwood
    My wife was convicted of sexual abuse of a minor. She served her time and probation flawless. She has been off probation 2 years. Can she get a passport?
  • Feb 7, 2008, 01:44 PM
    misslang1950
    I've tried everyone from embassies to consulates to home offices and this is the best I could find to travel to the UK for convicted felons:

    I have been trying to find out if my past felony conviction would pose a problem for my traveling to England with my wife this fall. This morning I received the following response from Public Enquiries [K], UKvisas, London SW1A 2AH (Home UKvisas)

    * * * * *
    Paragraph 320(18) of the Immigration Rules requires that admission to the UK should normally be refused if the traveller has been convicted of an offence in any country which, if committed in the UK, would be punishable by imprisonment of 12 months or more.
    The Home Office may exercise discretion if there are compassionate or exceptional circumstances involved. Some offences may also be considered to be 'spent', after a period, under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (see http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Fr...708466&to=true for details). A visa application will not be refused under this paragraph of the Immigration Rules if the applicant's conviction is so considered 'spent'.
    To pursue this matter further, the person concerned should contact their nearest UK visa-issuing office (address at www.ukvisas.gov.uk/missions).
    * * * * *
    I went to the website for the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and found the following explanation:
    SENTENCE: An order of conditional discharge, bound over to keep the peace, be of good behaviour or a probation order
    REHABILITATION PERIOD: One year or when the order ceased to have effect, whichever is the longer.

    ************************************************** **********************

    The long website listed above has a chart for a range of circumstances.

    I'm also trying to get information on travel to Italy, with even worse luck; I was told to contact the Italian Border Police, but my inability to speak/read Italian has been an obstacle there.

    Anyone know anything definitive about either Britain or Italy?
  • Feb 19, 2008, 09:20 AM
    nicki143
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by alderwood
    My wife was convicted of sexual abuse of a minor. She served her time and probation flawless. She has been off probation 2 years. Can she get a passport?

    Your wife should still be locked up
  • Feb 19, 2008, 09:21 AM
    nicki143
    I thought anyone could get in the uk
  • Feb 20, 2008, 10:37 PM
    bjjfighter
    I'm on first offender felony probation so I'm not sure if my situation is different because technically I have no conviction on my record other than a misdemeanor from years ago. I got my ETA to go to Australia approved.
  • Mar 17, 2008, 08:58 PM
    Doubleday
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by nicki143
    your wife should still be locked up

    Shut the up . Where do you get off passing judgment on someone that has already served their time? You don't know one damn thing about the circumstances or even how long this person spent locked up and you want to act liked you are judge and jury. Go yourself.
  • Mar 18, 2008, 07:54 AM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by bjjfighter
    I'm on first offender felony probation so I'm not sure if my situation is different b/c technically I have no conviction on my record other than a misdemeanor from years ago.

    Hello b:

    I don't know... You're on felony probation but you've never been convicted??

    Something ain't right, Dude... Really. You've been convicted. Of that, I am sure.

    excon
  • Mar 19, 2008, 07:10 AM
    tf7426
    You can travel round europe no problem.
    I know this as I'm still on conditional discharge and went to spain and egypt for holiday as soon as I got out.

    Its only going to USA, Canada and Australia that's a problem as they're boring and won't let you in even if you have something like shoplifting or D&D lol
  • Mar 25, 2008, 01:58 AM
    nicki143
    Sexual abuse of a minor and you lot think that this is OK.
  • Mar 26, 2008, 02:13 AM
    nicki143
    Go be religious somewhere else I have never been religious in my life. I do not believe in any religion never have and never will.
    But sexual abuse of a minor come on if it was my child I would hang the b~~~~~d
  • Mar 29, 2008, 12:17 PM
    N0help4u
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by nicki143
    Go be religious somewhere else i have never been religious in my life. I do not believe in any religion never have and never will.
    But sexual abuse of a minor come on if it was my child i would hang the b~~~~~d

    I suppose you would hang the school teacher that went to jail twice and then married the student and had his baby too?
    I am not for it either but you can't make blanket statements against things.
  • Mar 31, 2008, 08:25 PM
    starbuck8
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tf7426
    you can travel round europe no problem.
    i know this as im still on conditional discharge and went to spain and egypt for holiday as soon as i got out.

    its only going to USA, Canada and Australia thats a problem as theyre boring and wont let you in even if you have something like shoplifting or D&D lol

    We're not "boring"... just trying to keep out the criminals like you. We have enough of them here and don't need more. "even if you have something like shoplifting or D&D" Are you comparing "drink driving" (as I believe they call it in europe) to shoplifting? Shoplifting doesn't kill people.
  • May 2, 2008, 09:29 AM
    samsonikoiko
    I have recently been released from incarceration with the FED system. Yes I am a convicted felon and always will be. There simply is no such thing as an "ex-con", lol. I had never been arrested in my life until I was 36 years old. It seems like many folks on here are simply tossing around their opinions. These are the restrictions and procedures that I know of and they are strait from the horses mouth, my probation officer.
    As a federally convicted felon you are restricted to no travel outside of your district for the first six months. Once you have made it past the six month mark, you do not need any permission to move about the U.S. If you desire to travel outside of the U.S for travel you must petition the federal judge that did your original sentencing.
    Now as far as a passport well I had to surrender my passport to the U.S. Marshal's when I had posted bond at my bond hearing, they gave me 24 hours to do so. When I was released from prison, I simply went to the U.S. Marshal office where I had surrendered the passport and they simply gave it right back to me.
    Some of you people on here seem to really have some bitter stigma towards felons. Maybe like myself, you really had no idea of what the federal government is charging tax paying, business owning, U.S. citizens with now a days. Maybe you do not realize what the true definition of "conspiracy" really does entail. It is actually quite scary to say the least.
    So, with that said, I will see you folks in southern France next winter where I have always liked to spend my hard earned U.S. dollars on vacation!! :cool:
  • Jul 13, 2008, 01:17 AM
    kloid
    Ok so what about at the border if you are from USA going to France, Poland, etc. Do they ask you questions about a criminal record or what? If they do and you tell them are you turned away? If you say no does it matter. I am talking about 2 misdemeanors, trying to go for less than 90 days. I just want to know if I am going to be asked, if I never can go anywhere in the world again. I don't want to lie, but I don't want my world to be small again.
  • Aug 20, 2008, 05:44 AM
    cajoler
    If you have a passport you can go anywhere in the world with your passport and a felony conviction with the exception of Canada and maybe Australia As far as Europe goes You can fly into Schipol Airport in the Netherlands and go wherever you want. The EU no longer has border checkpoints between the member nations its just like driving from one state to another in the U.S. They do not have the Militarty mentality of law enforcement like the united states does and they actually are curteous and they don't try to intimidate like so many of our law inforcement "professionals" do here. You will not be asked "Papers Please" they still remember the Nazi occupation. One exception to that rule is if your are of Middle eastern descent you may be asked to identify yourself. But just show that U.S. passport and it should stop there. So all in all it's a don't ask don't tell policyyou should have no problems.
  • Nov 12, 2008, 12:52 PM
    bobloblaw
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by cajoler View Post
    If you have a passport you can go anywhere in the world with your passport and a felony conviction with the exception of Canada and maybe Australia As far as Europe goes You can fly into Schipol Airport in the Netherlands and go wherever you want. The EU no longer has border checkpoints between the member nations its just like driving from one state to another in the U.S. They do not have the Militarty mentality of law enforcement like the united states does and they actually are curteous and they don't try to intimidate like so many of our law inforcement "professionals" do here. You will not be asked "Papers Please" they still remember the Nazi occupation. One exception to that rule is if your are of Middle eastern descent you may be asked to identify yourself. But just show that U.S. passport and it should stop there. So all in all its a don't ask don't tell policyyou should have no problems.

    Sorry I happen to come across this post - are you serious? When was the last time you were in europe? I was last there 2003 and this was not true at all - I can imagine its gotten that much more open with the security situation these days - anyone more recent travel bettwen european countries?
  • Jun 12, 2009, 10:39 AM
    Debbie in OH
    My son who is a convicted felon was stopped by the Canadian customs arriving via a ferry from Maine in 9/2007. He was traveling with his parents. It took $200 for problem to go away. The U.S. Border crossing was just as bad. They stopped us. They exerted lots of attitude but never search our vehicle. Both were cases of state approved harassment.
  • Jul 31, 2009, 07:48 PM
    imagineclever
    Yo EXcon. I know this post is kind of old, but it's the best info I have found so far about this.. I've read your posts bruh. Thx for being here for us. "BJFIGHTER" was on the same thing as me. Actually what it is, is " A first-time felony waiver".. YES it's a conviction. But if you get in anymore trouble, that felony is'nt included or "held" against you, to give you more time... MY question is it's been 10 yrs since my case, and probation ended. I really want to go to Australia what do I need to know? I know I can get a passport.. but do I need a visa just to vist for 2 weeks? I can't find out any info on Google or anywhere else... help?
  • Jul 31, 2009, 08:41 PM
    excon

    Hello I:

    I don't know anything about going to Australia. Sorry dude.

    excon
  • Aug 2, 2009, 01:07 AM
    Chey5782
    Repost this as a question on it's own. I think someone can answer you. I can't about the felony part because I am not completely sure.

    As far as needing an actual visa, here's the site for Australia. http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/visa-options.
  • Aug 16, 2009, 07:52 PM
    MR3343
    Nicki you really should not be so judgemental. Passport issuance is only one problem--the other is the visa to get in the country you're visiting.
  • Aug 16, 2009, 07:52 PM
    MR3343
    Nicki you really should not be so judgemental. Passport issuance is only one problem--the other is the visa to get in the country you're visiting.
  • Aug 16, 2009, 07:52 PM
    MR3343
    Nicki you really should not be so judgemental. Passport issuance is only one problem--the other is the visa to get in the country you're visiting.
  • Sep 20, 2009, 11:51 AM
    Jobs4Felons
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by excon View Post
    Hello i:

    I dunno anything about going to Australia. Sorry dude.

    excon

    Hi ExCon (or anyone else who may know the answer)...

    So, here it the situation. My sister is on probation and pays restitution. We have family in a border town in Mexico - literally like 10 miles from the US border. We want to go visit family but since she has this felony conviction, we haven't even tried to get her passport since the laws changed.

    From what I am reading here, it sounds like she can get a passport and, since it is a Mexican border town, we know she won't need a Mexico visa if we travel by car. Do you know, or does anyone know, if the US border crossing is going to question us if she tries to RETURN to the US since she is on probation? We haven't even bothered with the passport because we were concerned that the US border patrol may stop us and wonder why she left the US in the first place. Since I've never experienced this, I was just wondering if anyone knows what the situation would be for a US felon, with a US passport, would encounter when coming by land across the US border back into the US from Mexico.

    I assume it happens everyday but wasn't sure if anyone had experienced this.
  • Sep 20, 2009, 12:02 PM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Jobs4Felons View Post
    I was just wondering if anyone knows what the situation would be for a US felon, with a US passport, would encounter when coming by land across the US border back into the US from Mexico.

    Hello Jobs:

    They'll probably just wave the car through... But, they check some. I have no idea what the criteria is. If they run the names on their computers, I don't know that it WON'T show that she's on probation. Certainly, they COULD have that information on their computers... I don't know why they WOULDN'T. They ARE cops, after all. The DO want to bust people.

    excon
  • Sep 23, 2009, 08:30 PM
    ryan1120
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by samsonikoiko View Post
    I have recently been released from incarceration with the FED system. Yes I am a convicted felon and always will be. There simply is no such thing as an "ex-con", lol. I had never been arrested in my life until I was 36 years old. It seems like many folks on here are simply tossing around their opinions. These are the restrictions and procedures that I know of and they are strait from the horses mouth, my probation officer.
    As a federally convicted felon you are restricted to no travel outside of your district for the first six months. Once you have made it past the six month mark, you do not need any permission to move about the U.S. If you desire to travel outside of the U.S for travel you must petition the federal judge that did your original sentencing.
    Now as far as a passport well I had to surrender my passport to the U.S. Marshal's when I had posted bond at my bond hearing, they gave me 24 hours to do so. When I was released from prison, I simply went to the U.S. Marshal office where I had surrendered the passport and they simply gave it right back to me.
    Some of you people on here seem to really have some bitter stigma towards felons. Maybe like myself, you really had no idea of what the federal government is charging tax paying, business owning, U.S. citizens with now a days. Maybe you do not realize what the true definition of "conspiracy" really does entail. It is actually quite scary to say the least.
    So, with that said, I will see you folks in southern France next winter where I have always liked to spend my hard earned U.S. dollars on vacation!!!!! :cool:

    That's what Im talking about!! Funny thing about those stigmatic people is I bet money that some, maybe not all, have done things worthy of a felony conviction/arrest at least. I don't think its fair for felons to have a public record for longer than their sentence. I didn't do anything worth life. Now I am going to college and paying my child support and becoming a productive member of society and that damn charge rears its ugly face every time I turn around. I just want to visit England and Germany, yes parts of the Netherlands as well, without having to worry. But its words like yours that provide hope.
  • Jan 1, 2010, 07:49 PM
    convictfelon

    So, Ex-Con, or anyone else... In the original post, there was a comment that no passport was obtained. Well, my situation is a little different. I, too, want to visit family in the "free zone" of Mexico so I won't need a travel permit since you can go to the free zone without a concern. I have a felony conviction for which I am on probation but it is a non-violent felony and it is NOT a federal felony. It is a state jail felony (Texas). Anyway, I was thinking about going to visit family and I plan to ask my probation officer if I can go to south Texas to visit family because I'm not sure if we will actually go across the border. If I get permission to travel to south Texas, and then we go to the Mexico town for one day and come back across border control, I would think there wouldn't be an issue if I have a travel voucher that gives me permission to be in south Texas, right? I mean, wouldn't border patrol just confirm that I have permission to be in that area of south Texas and that I have a passport card verifiying my citizenship?

    Anyone experience this?
  • Jan 1, 2010, 08:18 PM
    Clough
    Just so people know, who might continue to post here.

    This is now a really old and archived thread that's not generally visible, unless someone happens to visit the forum topic area.

    If you have a new question, I would suggest that you start a new thread.

    Thanks!
  • Jan 2, 2010, 07:38 AM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by convictfelon View Post
    I would think there wouldn't be an issue if I have a travel voucher that gives me permission to be in south Texas, right?

    Hello felon:

    WRONG! Northern Mexico is NOT southern Texas. That doesn't mean they'll catch you, but stop fooling yourself.

    excon
  • Feb 12, 2010, 05:12 PM
    KAT2316

    I have the same question I have a felony and so does my husband we are both of probation and its been over 5 years. I am leaving soon and don't know what is going to happen. Anyone have any recent feedback
  • Feb 12, 2010, 06:49 PM
    Clough
    I've written it previously, and perhaps it needs to be repeated.

    Just so people know, who might continue to post here...

    This is now a really old and archived thread that's not generally visible, unless someone happens to visit the forum topic area.

    If you have a new question, I would suggest that you start a new thread.

    Thanks!
  • Jul 5, 2010, 02:53 PM
    cccp_gals_4me
    I have a felony from 1987 (indecent exposure involving a minor) Yeah, yeah, I know,. but thanks to the anonomous internet, we can all share information. My probation ended in 1989, and all civil rights restored by 1992.

    I have since entered Russia (4 times), Philippines (3 times), Spain, (2 times), and Poland (1 time). I have never had ANY issues entering any of these countries, and no one at the border has even batted an eyelash. Prior to entering Russia, I had to obtain a visa for each entry.

    I didn't even know that traveling to Canada or maybe the U.K. could even be a problem with a felony on my record. Therefore, I have to wonder,. is it possible that my passport does not contain any information regarding my past?

    Upon entering the U.S. on each return, I was only detained once by Customs, to search my luggage upon returning from the Philippines. The agent was nice about the whole matter, and did tell me that there had been some drug activity in the Philippines recently. Also, I traveled there on company business, and was my third trip to the Philippines within 6 months. I suspect that's what raised a red flag, as opposed to anything in my background.

    So, that's my history with foreign travel, and I've had no incidents to speak of. I'm contemplating going to Italy in the fall, and would hope that this long-past incident does not cause me any future problems.
  • Oct 5, 2010, 10:59 AM
    montrealvisitor
    I have a passport and traveled to Canada many times (dozens), then one day my wife and kids and I were asked to park and I was asked to go inside. Now I had been stopped before and the Canadian Customs said that after reviewing my record that the crime I had a felonies for in the US was NOT a felony in Canada. I continued to cross the border without incident. In August while taking the family to Canada to go to the museums in Montreal I was again stopped and asked to come inside. My wife knowing of my felony stayed with the kids in the car. Two hours later I was told that I was no longer admissible into canada not because of my felony (which happened nine years ago) but because my violation of probation after my first felony WAS an indictable offense in Canada and made me no longer admissible. Now I have to send my records to the Canadian Consulate to see if I am rehabilitated. We'll see how that goes. Bottom line... It all depends on the officer you talk to.
  • Oct 13, 2010, 07:52 PM
    Clough
    Very old and now archived thread. It's no longer visible on the list of currently active threads.

    Anyone posting on it who want's what they post to really get noticed the most should really start a new thread about the subject.

    Thanks!
  • Jan 28, 2011, 07:21 AM
    soldiers_angel
    If my boyfriend is a convicted criminal is he able to travel to croatia in europe? And mexico
  • Apr 4, 2011, 05:47 PM
    fordf150
    There is is no such thing as a women raping a man or a boy
  • Jan 30, 2012, 11:56 AM
    bradyro
    Something ain't right, Dude... Really. You've been convicted. Of that, I am sure.

    excon

    Actually, you're dead wrong... My first time on felony probation, I was never convicted... it's called deferred adjudication... meaning your given a probationary period to pay your restitution, and the judgement in your case is delayed during this period... if you successfully complete the terms of this probation, you will not be convicted of a felony, but rather a lesser offense...

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