This post is intended as a place for discussions about International Travel ONLY.
For more information and previous discussions on the topic, please see International Travel 2020 and International Travel 2019.
In this International Travel 2021 post, the information is identical to the International Travel 2020 post. We added a new post for 2021 in order to keep the discussion manageable. Please help us by sticking to the topic of International Travel only.
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From 2020: We have updated our main International Travel section. It features:
- List of Schengen Nations (allowing entry to registrants);
- Resources (including a CA DOJ Travel Notification Form); and
- User Submitted Travel Reports.
This post is linked from the Main Menu at the top of the site.
1. The 26 Schengen Nations (which allow registrants to visit)
As an agreement, Schengen was signed among the five out of ten countries of the European Union members back then, on the 14th June 1985. Under the Schengen agreement, travelling from one Schengen country to another is done without any passport and immigration controls or any other formalities previously required.
Austria
Belgium
Czech republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Note: US Citizens are visa exempt when visiting the Schengen area for up to 90 days in a 180 day period (List of Countries, Section B or map). The European Commission is proposing creating a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) for such travelers, beginning sometime in 2021 – which may or may not take criminal convictions into account. ETIAS Fact Sheet April 2018 – July 2018
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2. Resources
Forms
Publications
- RTAG Travel Matrix
- IML Dispatch (SMART Office, Feb 2016)
- ETIAS
Older Posts
- International Travel 2020 (2020)
- International Travel 2019 (2019)
- International Travel after IML (2016)
- International Travel – Mexico (2014)
- International Travel (2013)
Passport Update
As mentioned months ago, I got the dreaded passport revocation letter from the State Department back in October. I finally made contact with someone in the passport office where my passport was issued just 2 years ago to find out what went wrong when my previous passport was issued and why it didn’t have the required IML marking. I was told that the Angel Watch Office simply hasn’t caught up and that yes, I’d have to pay full cost to get a replacement with the marking now.
I applied in October 2020 for a new passport with the IML marking. After a minor kerfuffle about my photo not being current, I received my new passport this week. Given that all passports processing is slow right now due to Covid things took about as long as expected. The only difference is the notification on pg. 27. Yes, it’s obnoxious that it’s there, but at least the notification is not in bold red letters on the main page.
My new passport came with the usual notification that my ID documents and current passport would be returned in a separate mailing in about 10 days, so I don’t know at this time if I’ll actually get my old passport returned to me. I applied for this new one before my visa fastened in my passport expired, so hopefully I will get it back. But, since the visa in my passport expired during the time they were processing it, perhaps not. Even though it’s expired, having the old one will make it easier to renew. We’ll see how that goes.
A couple of things I learned along the way which may be helpful to others. I am not an attorney and all this is based on what I learned talking with passport office staff so please do your own research.
1) If you have any type of visa or entry permit in your current passport which has not expired, and you know that you will be required to have the IML stamp, you should consider applying for a new passport BEFORE you get the revocation letter. According to the passport office website FAQs, if you apply for a new passport while your passport is valid and before it’s revoked, you should get your current passport returned to you once it’s cancelled. This will enable you to still have the visa to use on future trips.
2) If you are sending your passport for early renewal because you know that you’ll eventually be revoked, you MUST include a letter specifically stating that you need the IML marking to get it in your passport. Otherwise, it’s likely that you’ll just get another regular passport issued like I did and have to go through this all over again. Don’t assume that your name is on the list for the IML marking until you get the letter. Angel Watch is going through the list very slowly and if you need a marked passport you should consider just getting it now so you don’t get stuck with a revoked passport in the future.
3) If you have a ‘live’ visa or other type of entry permit in your passport right now and want to get it back after you renewed your passport, you MUST specifically request it. Apparently it’s possible to make this request even if you receive the revocation letter but there is no guarantee. I know that they make it sound like you won’t get your passport returned to you, but after speaking to the staff that actually processes them it appears that they have a mechanism for returning the passport if it contains a live visa. They couldn’t guarantee it will happen in every case, but I was told that for there to be a chance you must request it.
4) The revocation letter instructs you to immediately return your passport to the address they provide and then to make an in-person appointment to apply for a new passport. After speaking with the passport office I was told to return my current passport with the application for a new one along with a letter about needing the passport returned to me due to the live visa in it. If you don’t have a visa or other document inside your passport that you need back, then this wouldn’t apply to you.
5) The visa that I have for entry overseas was issued with full disclosure of my registration status. I went through a lengthy legal process to get the visa so that they couldn’t later on claim that I’d hidden my status. For this reason, I don’t foresee any difficulty arising from having the IML stamp on pg. 27. Had I not disclosed this, things would likely be different. If I ever try to gain entry into another country, I also don’t foresee the IML marking making any real difference – countries that care about it already have the information and will likely make the same decision based on what I’ve experienced.
Hope this helps someone else. If I left anything out, let me know. And no, I won’t go into any detail on the specific visa/entry permit which I obtained other than to say you’re much better off hiring an attorney in the country you are asking to issue you a visa.
I get off probation in 5 months. Will apply for my passport then. My charge. State felony 3rd sexual exploitation of a minor. Well $1500 later and another court hearing, Just got clarification from a 2nd federal judge and have an order that states “this offense is not an offense against a minor.” The order says that word for word and is signed by a superior court judge(two judges agree). Gonna try and apply for the passport and see if I get the stamp or not. Hoping with that order I might actually get to avoid it. I’ll update again come early July.
@M C
I had traveled overseas four times in a three year period of time with no problems. The last two times I arrived at the immigration desk on the other end though it was apparent that my passport was on their watch list, apparently as a result of the notification sent over by the USA.
From my conversations with the Passport Office it seems that the revocation is not triggered solely by using your passport for international travel. That may start the process sooner for some, but it’s not until the Angel Watch Office actually does the leg work to confirm you meet their qualifications do you get added to the list. What it sounded like to me is that they are slowly working through all the names on the various state registries one by one inspecting each to determine if an IML passport is in order.
After each of my trips overseas I fully expected to get a letter from the State Department, but mine was almost nine months after my most recent return to the USA.
Perhaps at the beginning of the IML process the revocation letters were more closely connected with an overseas trip, but it didn’t seem to be the case for me.
My suggestion for anyone that qualifies for an IML passport who intends to travel out of the USA is to get your passport renewed early with a letter specifically asking for the IML passport. Lots easier to do this as a normal renewal on your own schedule than to have it revoked and have to apply for a new passport. When you apply for a new passport you cannot use your passport as proof of citizenship since it’s been revoked and is no longer valid, and you have to obtain original/certified document(s). Plus, doing it on your own means you are unlikely to get revoked at a time that interferes with your travel plans.
Has anyone been able to travel for vacation to Mexico?
Received the second mailing from the US Passport Office today with the proof of citizenship they were returning to me.
Not in the envelop? My old passport – the one with the expired visa and entry permit for overseas.
This is not totally surprising, as I was told the only circumstance under which they normally return a revoked passport is if it contains a live visa. Since mine expired before my new one was issued I was only mildly hopeful I’d get it back. Good thing I have a copy of the visa and entry permit, as they might come in handy when I return to get them renewed.
Now the work begins having my attorney overseas file the necessary paperwork to get my new passport number linked to my file there, and once the borders open up after Covid I hope to be able to make arrangements to go back and have my visa/permit renewed. Will probably take a while, as there are certainly thousands of others who also got stuck on the wrong side of the border when things shut down due to Covid. At least this is a ‘normal’ immigration problem shared by many and not one due to my status as a RSO.
Lesson to anyone else holding a visa – apply for a new IML passport before revocation if you want any hope of getting the old one returned.
All good stuff. But until someone tries we really don’t know what Hitler watch will do in each situation. Im curious as to if you get off the registry.. while having a iml passport, can you get a new on without the stamp? Because if it’s based off conviction… Than it seems like that the stamp would remain.
“Green Notice” vs. IML Passport Marking
I believe that you guys are correct – out of my four recent trips overseas, all were made with no marking on my passport. On one of those trips (before I had the entry visa) they clearly had a red flag on my passport in their system and nearly didn’t let me in.
I’m not sure, but it’s my understanding that the Green Notices will be sent for everyone on their list, not just those who qualify for an IML passport.
Does anyone have specifics on who they send a Green Notice out for?
@Notorious D.I.K.ennerly
What are you talking about with regard to the EU? Do you have a specific link with information or policy change?
Western Europe is regularly mentioned as wide open and easy to enter, but does anyone know of a situation where someone was refused entry into countries like Germany, France, Italy, or others in the area?
I have been planning a big trip over there for the summer of 2022 and I know I overthink things, but wonder if it matters which country I fly into. Everyone mentions Germany, but it would be easier based on some of the loose plans I have to enter France, Spain, or Italy. For any of these countries, does it make sense to contact them in advance about my upcoming entry? Thanks for any feedback.
This news report suggests that ETIAS will not actually go into effect until early 2023:
EU Reporter: #ETIAS visa waiver postponed until 2022.
https://www.eureporter.co/frontpage/2020/04/08/etias-visa-waiver-postponed-until-2022/
@ pnwso: One more thing: I strongly recommend that you take direct flights to wherever you’re going. If you have to have switch flights or switch planes in a foreign country or even just briefly stop over in a foreign country, be absolutely certain that that country will not turn you back. (I lost a cost of a round trip ticket to France because I could not get confirmation from Irish authorities that I would not be turned back on a brief layover at Dublin Airport. Personally, I avoid the national airlines of countries where you’re likely to be turned back, such as Aer Lingus [Ireland] and Air Canada because many of them have stopovers in their home countries where you could be turned back.)
Good luck and enjoy wonderful Europe!!
(P. S.: I do have an IML-marked passport, but no one has ever bothered to look at that IML notification in it.)
Do I have to give the IML 21 day notice when not living in US. If I am able to find a way to successfully live outside the US, even if I can’t find a permanent residency situation, but do successfully move around from country to country to comply with tourist visa requirements, what happens when I return to the US for a short stay? If I am still required to register if residing in the US, but don’t currently appear on any registries because I live outside the US, what is required if I return to visit people in a few different locations and don’t trigger any visitor registration thresholds? For my return trip back to wherever (outside the US) I can only notify a state if I am currently registered. Most likely, I would have scheduled my return trip while outside the US for my planned 2-week stay. What happens when I am boarding a plane to depart the US, but haven’t notified anyone, as there is no one to notify?
Example: Depart state A for France having notified state A 21 days in advance of my planned departure and intention to not return to the US. State A takes me off the registry since they don’t keep registrants on permanently. 1 year later, buy round trip ticket from France to NY and back to France (or wherever) for a 2-week stay. I fly into NY, drive to various states and don’t trigger any visitor registrations, then drive back to NY to depart.
Has anyone on here attempted to get a criminal rehabilitation from the Canadian government to allow entry to their country? I spoke with a Canadian Attorney this afternoon to see if its possible. just looking for some input before I put out $3,000 for their services as well as the $770 to the Canadian government.
Thank you for your comments, I’ll definitely be doing more investigation into the possibility of travel north before I actually hire an Attorney. Travel to Canada is a two fold mission for me. One: I promised my wife and kids before my arrest that We would make the drive through Canada to Alaska to show them the beauty of it all.
Two: I advocate for R.C.’s rights at a local level, and am looking to establish other precedence such as getting permission to enter Canada. Back before I had learned of the existence of Janice and ACSOL, I worked with a local Attorney recommended by my S.O.T.P. Councilor to convince probation and the courts that Residency restrictions applied to parolees, not probationers. That got me back home with my family after 3 years of supporting two households. After that I worked out a plan with my son’s school Superintendent to be able to attend parent teacher conferences, concerts, and even allowed my Wife and I to help teach a parenting for young adults workshop on the school campus.
Currently, I am working on a training program to help people in the local S.O.T.P Learn a trade to help them make it through Treatment and then life post treatment. I watched too many people trying to make it through this being kicked out for lack of payment.. almost myself before I started getting accepted back into the community after I was released. We all do what we can do to help each other keep going.
Leroy:
I am originally from Detroit just a couple of miles from the bridge and have traveled to Canada for more than 50 years. Any criminal conviction, including a DUI, is a no go. You have made the first step by contacting an attorney in Canada. Make sure you have an attorney that specializes in immigration because Canada is difficult but not impossible for registrants.
If you travel to Canada prior to your attorney telling you so, you will be turned away and make obtaining residency more difficult. Wait until your attorney tells you to travel to Canada before you go.
The upside to Canada is that they have already granted political asylum to some registrants. This has been done for several registrants who have had consensual sex with 16 or 17 year olds because the age of consent in Canada is 16 and canadiens don’t view this as a crime. Under 16 is a totally different ball game. As a general rule if your conviction is more than 10 years past, you stand a chance.
Green Card and worried
I’m a RSO, currently on supervised release. I was convicted of posession of CP, got 5 years, but was never deported. I never gave up my passport(Irish) and when I was released, I renewed it by mail. So I have a new foreign passport. Can I travel on it without any problems? I’m planning on leaving the US for good, and don’t want to have any trouble with getting stopped when traveling.
Hello! Does anyone know about current rules/laws for Portugal? Seems like a great place to move to but I’m having trouble getting current info about SO laws.
Just read that Belize is now the first Caribbean county accepting US visitors who have had the vaccine, which my wife and I have. The RTAG matrix says Y/N on admission and has this puzzling note “May be turned away, expect to be interrogated.” Anyone know what that means or have any recent personal experience? Thanks.
If anyone thinks our government or any government doesn’t know where you go or private information about you, watch some of Snowdens videos:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFCtCySYzCTd7PyOVVo2oiQ/videos
I love this place. So many good people and great ideas and there is always something to learn. I just went back and reread this entire thread and sometimes it is just overwhelming. My conviction was 8.5 years ago and I served 6 and now have 6 months left on probation. Some of the posts mention that if you served more than 2 years there could be problems with entry, even into Europe. Also not quite 10 years has passed, although currently my international travel plans will be next year – almost 10 years since my conviction. So many questions: Do I apply for my passport now and just request the mark? No need to rehash the details of the IML stamp since it is covered so well at the top of this page. My plans are very uncertain and I may try to go over to western Europe and travel around for 90 days and then go to low cost countries in the region (Albania, Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania, and others) on a new tourist visa. I won’t make any return plans, but if I don’t get the IML stamp there is the chance that at some point I get notice that my passport has been revoked and I have to return to the US immediately without notice and I don’t want that to happen.
Now I am once again entertaining the idea of a ‘test’ trip 6 months before my open ended trip in the summer of 2022. If my test trip goes well,, then I would just plan to fly back there – Amsterdam or Paris. I don’t want anything to impact my summer trip and have lots of anxiety thinking ahead to that.
Hi,
I am helping a friend in CA to research countries where we might be able to get a second passport / residency. I have not tried to travel yet on my unmarked passport but recently, my friend was turned away from Costa Rica. He had been there numerous times without trouble but a new person in the police department took his information. She claimed to have to notify the FBI. I thought the locals just submitted info to CA department of Justice. Either way, he was held in detention for several days until he could buy a second return ticket, as the first was several weeks away.
Are there any success stories that I can share with my friend or resources or suggestions?
Thanks.
JD
Wasn’t sure if this was posted previously, so I apologize if it was. I was researching the ETIAS that is supposed to go into affect in Europe in a couple of years. I came across this page which clearly states that one would have report their conviction ONLY if it occurred in the last 10 years. Their may be something in Europe believing in second chances, and the ability for one to get their life back. I keep hearing it, but have a hard time getting my head around it after dealing with this country’s hate for so long.
https://www.etias.us/security-questions-in-the-etias-form/
UPDATE/FYI: Europe’s ETIAS System will not be mandatory until 2023:
https://www.afar.com/magazine/us-citizens-will-need-a-visa-to-travel-to-europe-starting-in-2021
https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/council-presidency-european-parliament-provisionally-agree-on-rules-connecting-etias-central-system-to-relevant-eu-databases/
To all those asking all the redundant questions concerning , what country allows, who responds to notices, and what about after my removal. You need to realize that these are all questions that have variables based on your offense, how long since your conviction, and ultimately YOU as a person.
I have a relative in Thailand that has spoken to people about my return. With letters of reference from a nationals and people stateside, a formal request for a hearing by immigration services there, and a good Thai Lawyer who understands the national customs,Thai law and can articulate my situation, I have been told I will not have an issue.
My offense is a tier 1 internet misdemeanor and I will be able to petition in a couple of yrs. This is the only offense I have ever incurred. I lived in Thailand for many yrs. without so much as a traffic violation. I speak the language well. I have family and made friends, both professionally and personally. This seems to carry weight with their justice system.
I am feeling good about my chances of returning “home”. I am simply waiting for my time on registry to terminate so that I have nothing hanging over me from a legal standpoint.
Where ever you intend to go, especially if you are looking to reside there, show the country that you are serious. Learn the language, learn the laws and customs. Do your research and hire an in country attorney. Don’t just go knocking on the door and say, “Hi, mind if I hang here, because I hate my country”. These places have their own problems and aren’t looking to have America’s metaphorical trash thrown on their door step.
I yield my time……….
Is there anyone here that is a RSO and a Green Card holder? Trying to figure out about deportations and travel on a non US passport