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)
I traveled to Europe in 2019 and have never received a letter with revocation although I fall within the rules for it. Now, I live in Illinois a non-SORNA state where our police will not accept 21 day notices. But, I’m worried that somehow my passport passport has been revoked because of my travel and I didn’t get the letter. I’m planning another trip to Europe this summer, now that things are opening upon, and I’m afraid I may arrive and be told by customs that my passport is not valid. Does anyone know how I can check the current validity of my passport — a website or phone number?
Warpath posted this Travel-Matrix link in General Comments so he gets credit for finding it:
https://justfactsnotfear.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Travel-Matrix.xlsx.html
It appears to be a bit more comprehensive than Rtag.
Makes you wonder if this docu-film (2011) isn’t what started IML (2016).
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1837689/
I have a federal felony conviction and recently renewed my passport in August of last year. It came in with no markings of any kind and I’m wondering about travelling to Mexico later this year. I keep seeing mixed information about this. Should I contact the Angel’s watch? Mexican Consulate?
For reference: I have successfully travelled to Mexico back in 2009. I know IML took effect after this but again: my passport is unmarked and I’ve never been on a public registry. Not sure if that makes a difference or not. I’d certainly appreciate any kind of feedback. Thanks so much in advance…
Hi all,
Was wondering what is the environment like for SO in Arizona? We’re currently in MN and it’s ok, but I have a potential job in Arizona that I’m interviewing for. Not sure if AZ is a good state to SO to move to? thank you so much for your inputs as I don’t know where to find these information to consult? If you could share the infor to find these kind of information also, so I don’t ask about all 50 states, I’d also appreciate your help
This is a comprehensive explanation of both domestic and international travel rules and restrictions
https://oncefallen.com/the-traveling-registrant-once-fallen/
updated 11/20, so should currently apply to all states
I am a level one SO. I have successfully opened a business in Ukraine and obtained my work permit. I well be flying to Turkey yo apply for my visa d and then flying into Ukraine. I will be giving my notice of not returning and moving permanently. I had money put up and hired an immigration lawyer in Ukraine that helped me through the process of opening my business and getting my work permit and health insurance. I know people say “Ukraine” why Ukraine. I have my reasons and one of them reasons is that Ukraine does not ask for a criminal history check when applying for temporary residence permit, but they do for a permanent one. The TRP is renewable every 3 years, so I will be fine until I’m established in the country for at least 5 years.
Has anyone had any trouble entering Spain. Specifically Valencia? I am seriously considering moving there to retire.
Ok, I’d like to take the dead horse (IML) and beat it some more. Maybe no one knows the correct answers. But maybe someone can clarify. My real concern is with Satan Watch, but I think the IML marker issue may be easier to tackle for now.
My confusion comes from the role of SORNA. I didn’t realize, and I’m still not convinced, that SORNA has anything to do with the IML marking. Now I realize that in a SORNA compliant state, that SORNA and the state registry are the same thing. But in California, I believe that SORNA (at least right now) is just a suggestion of how to do registration. I believe that IML requires the passport marker for everyone who is required to register by any jurisdiction, and the offense for which that registration is required involves a victim (or maybe an assumed victim or could have been victim) under the age of 18.
First off, I don’t think SORNA is a jurisdiction. I don’t think you can register with SORNA. Though SORNA suggests (or maybe requires in SORNA states) that any offense involving said minor is a tier 3 offense, and I think further suggests that tier 3 offenses require lifetime registration. Therefore, if the IML marker is based on SORNA, Then anyone in the United States and its territories who has ever committed a sexual offense involving a minor would be stuck with the IML passport marker for their lifetime.
There are around 40,000 of us in California who were convicted of the infamous penal code section 288(a) (not to be confused with section 288a). California has decided that 288(a) will be a tier 2 offense, meaning possible relief from registering after 20 years (and a bunch of legal hassles). I (we) fully expect that if we are relieved from registering in California, that we are no longer subject to the provisions of IML. But if IML is based on SORNA, then we are all screwed for life.
I welcome any comments that might shed light on this situation.
Thanks.
Hi, I am moving to Pennsylvania from California because I am not required to register because it will be 15 years since my conviction. I was wondering if I still have to notify authorities when I travel internationally since I will not have to register
Anyone know what I can expect? I got off the registry for a misdemeanor sex offense against a minor in my state. I previously had a stamped passport but emailed angel watch with the court order and was able to apply for and receive a new passport with no marker.
Through the start of 2019 I had been traveling fine with an unmarked passport to many countries on the do not go to list without issue. In 2019 I had my passport revoked and had to get a new marked one which still gave me no issues traveling though after that I didn’t go anywhere other than europe.
Now that I’m off the registry both in state and am clear with sorna, have a regular passport, the fact it was only a misdemeanor, does anyone know if I’ll have any issues traveling again, to the uk, japan, etc.
Seems like the theme of this particular discussion is Americans vs Europeans. So, my inquiry is that why are Americans this oppressive, racist
In the words of another member: Not to beat a dead horse but… I just received my new passport after submitting for a name change due to marriage. I wholly expected to have the unique identifier on the back as I have been on the California registry for a felony conviction since 2010. 11 years ago to be exact. Not only did it not come marked, I also have not been notified of a tier assignment. I am curious as to why? I am a travel enthusiast but have not tried going international other than Mexico on a cruise and that went fine (other than the person who escorted us off the ship to have our bags scrutinized”. Appreciated skipping the line. But what makes a registrant more “uniquely identified”? Crime? State? Gender? Thoughts?
Recent travel to Baja California (Mexico).
Submitted travel paperwork (21-day notice) to local LE and then emailed a request a few days later asking they reply to confirm receipt of the form. LE is so casual about something that if lost could send you to federal prison.
Traveled to Mexico by car (don’t forget to purchase Mexican insurance!) and had no problems driving south. There were cameras and tag readers on the US side but no scrutiny by Mexican authorities. I have heard from friends, however, that the “walk-though” gate does now require showing your passport and, of course, so does flying. Cruises seem to be hit or miss.
No issues in Mexico, didn’t travel that far south. Never even needed my passport. Was there on family vacation for a week.
The border wait was horrible! Three hours in line for everyone just to get to the booth (San Ysidro). Handed over all our passports (mine is unmarked but I was actually using my passport card this trip). The agent scanned them all, wrapped mine in a yellow piece of paper (which he wrote “S/O” on), clipped it under the windshield, gave me the rest back, and sent us to “secondary inspection.” Drove through a big x-ray machine and was directed to a parking space, where we waited an hour and then were sent home.
There was a causal and brief inspection under the hood and in the trunk.
Is there any evidence that an RSO is more likely to attempt to smuggle items into the US? My thinking is that this is purely punitive. Are individuals with non-sex offense felonies also routinely subjected to additional inspection? EVERY time I’ve traveled internationally, I’ve been sent to some form of “secondary” for 1-2 hours.
My offense was single count possession of CP, Federal, 2003.
✈️ Montreal Question ✈️
✈️Montreal layover/plane change?✈️
Hello all. Has anyone had either a layover or a plane change in Montreal? And do you have a marked passport? And were there any problems? God forbid, were you sent back to the US and not allowed to continue on to your destination??
I’ve been trying to find non US citizens that are on the registry, but live in the US. Green Card basically. How has international travel been for you? As a foreign citizen, you do not get any markings in your passport. Have you been stopped thanks to the Satan Watch? Experiences?
I just want to know what I’ll be in for when I leave the US for good in the next couple of years.
This is an experience post for people who have gotten off the registry and gotten a new unstamped passport. I decided to go to a safe European country as a trial. I didn’t give the 21 day warning as it was no longer required of me. Boarding the plane went find, the customs went fine, not even a second glance before they stamped the passport and likewise leaving the country.
Entering the US I filled out the customs form but to my disappointment was taken back for secondary screening still. So despite being off the registry under every jurisdiction and only have a misdemeanor, I still got pulled. They still went through my bag as well. Maybe customs will enter it in their system that I don’t have register anymore and I won’t have to go through next time? No idea, I just know I still did this time, which now makes me wonder if I’m still having green notices sent out.
International travel
How many people have been SUCCESSFUL in filling out the application for criminally rehabilitation to enter Canada? Those that have been successful, did you use a Canadian lawyer? I plan to submit this application and need a lawyer. Can someone recommend a Canadian lawyer who has been successful with clients who filled out the application and was allowed to enter Canada? Thanks. Would appreciate a reply.
What countries can sex offenders travel to
my charge was a misdemeanor. of course i have to register. does not involve children. can i still travel to other countries ?
Anyone know if it’s possible to gain Mexican citizenship if you’re a registrant? I was born in the US but qualify to get Mexican citizenship because of my Mexican born parents. I was at the consulate and the requirements seem simple enough, just have to prove my parent’s were born there and my relationship to them.
But has anyone actually done it?
Might be one way to be able to travel to Mexico if you have citizenship there. Admittedly, there’s less of a reason now for me to do so, my father had retired to Mazatlan but passed last year due to Covid.
Just curious.
And page 51 of the IML “unique identifier” passport looks like this. (See pic).
This is the notification that NO ONE has ever bothered to look at! 🤗😄
🤔 Interesting. There is a post on. Florida Action Committee’s website about a Registrant being turned away from entering Greece….. yet the list of Schengen Countries includes Greece. 🤨 (Maybe he didn’t provide the 21-day travel notification? Who knows? 🤷🏻♂️)
I went to Europe twice in 2019 Loved it ,Spain,Portugal,France & Belgium.Plan to retire early in nov 2022 and travel thru Europe and try to get residency somewhere if possible.My 2nd degree felony conviction in Fla. for L&L Mol was in dec 2002(served 18 months ). My passport has the stamp and I’ve had no issues going overseas.When ETIAS is in effect I hope I can get the visa to go to Europe collect my SS checks and never return to USA.How realistic is my plan ? Thanks.