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 2024, International Travel 2023, International Travel 2022, International Travel 2021, International Travel 2020 and International Travel 2019.
In this International Travel 2025 post, the information is identical to the International Travel 2024 post. We added a new post for 2025 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 activation of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) for such travelers, beginning sometime in 2025 – which may or may not take criminal convictions into account. ETIAS Fact Sheet April 2018 – July 2018 – update Nov-2024
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2. Resources
Forms
- California Notification of Intended International Travel (CA DOJ – Form – 2016) – Submit this at least 21 days in advance
Publications
- RTAG Travel Matrix
- IML Dispatch (SMART Office, Feb 2016)
- ETIAS
Older Posts
- International Travel 2024 (2024)
- International Travel 2023 (2023)
- International Travel 2022 (2022)
- International Travel 2021 (2021)
- International Travel 2020 (2020)
- International Travel 2019 (2019)
- International Travel after IML (2016)
- International Travel – Mexico (2014)
- International Travel 2013 (2013)
Just flew phnom phen to bangkok, AW endorsed passport. No problems
ARUBA: just got back!
TRIP RECAP
Status: No longer registered in any jurisdiction. No longer have a marked passport. My conviction is 30yrs old (I still maintain that it wasn’t a crime), involved a minor, spent 30 days in jail, 170 days with an ankle monitor, and 5 years’ probation. SORNA II classifies it as a tier 3 lifetime registration, but fortunately California made it a tier 2, allowing me to petition for relief from registration.
We flew direct to London (Heathrow), had an 8-hour layover, then flew direct to Delhi, India. We did have the new UK ETA, but when our passports were scanned, they said nothing about it.
Spent 5 days touring India (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur). Our main objective was the Taj Mahal, but we saw many other interesting sites and experienced the total insanity of driving in India.
Flew from Delhi to Mauritius with a stop-over in Mumbai. On a 14-day NCL cruise, visited Mauritius, Reunion, Seychelles, and Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, and then UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi), and Qatar in the Middle East. Flew from Doha, Qatar, to Casablanca, Morocco, with a short layover in Bahrain.
Toured Morocco for 12 days, visiting Tangiers, Chefchaouen (the blue city), Rabat (the capital), Meknes, Fez, Ifrane, Erfoud, Ouarzazate (the Moroccan movie capital), AÏt Benhaddou –Tizi-N-Tichka Pass (also popular filming locations), Marrakesh (the most fascinating Moroccan city), and finally back to Casablanca. We ended our trip with dinner at Rick’s Cafe, a classy tourist spot taken from the movie, Casablanca.
After a crazy schedule of 4 flights on TAP airlines, and a terrible overnight stay in Paris, we finally made it back to San Francisco. The Customs officer scanned my passport and said, “did you report your passport stolen?”, and I said, “yeah, I had some passport issues a few years ago.” He nodded his head, like that explained what he was seeing on his screen and told us to have a safe trip home. That makes 6 times in a row with no Secondary.
Anyone have any success with Chile? That’s one country that is never talked about, despite it being reasonably safe, affordable and developed. Also, I haven’t heard anything said about Bolivia. Are those countries off limits for people on the registry?
Update: Was in Bangkok 7 days, Not Vacation trip. Can not expound on it here but the importance of the trip was enormous, many Thai people in important positions related to the USA handled my AW endorsed passport, no issues. Flew back to Phnom Phen Cambodia, thru immigration in 1 min.(Literally) Back home.
Has anyone had any experience with Mediterranean cruises? Contemplating a cruise this year with Norwegian. Any travel reports positive or negative?
Maybe this has been asked and answered, but has anyone had experience traveling to Philippines after being removed from registry? I would like to visit some friends in Palawan. I understand that the Philippines is more closely tied to AW than other countries and worry about entry. My friends are willing to travel and meet in another country, but I would rather not inconvenience them.
As I get closer to my petition date ( now 37 days away ) I find that many people that I know overseas are contacting me to visit. I have been fortunate in that I traveled extensively before my conviction and made lasting relationships. Unfortunately that can’t be said for those I knew in the U.S.. Anyway, I’m touched that these people have offered to put me up, but am finding it challenging to get info as to any issues gaining entry. I am looking into Costa Rica, Greece, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Thailand, Philippines. My latest plan ( I seem to change with my mood ) is to spend 30- 90 days in each location and then I can get a feel for the one that is best for settling. I know the Schengen area won’t be too much of a problem from what I have read here. When I say best I mean cheapest and friendliest, although after 10 yrs living in Bay Area, multiple rejections for employment as well as alienation of close friends and family, I think anything would be cheaper AND definitely friendlier!
Never had to register, my misdemeanor charge was dismissed. Why is HSI sending a letter to the Phillipines telling them I was charged but acquitted? I was denied entry and now out over 8k. I’ve never been registered or convicted of anything. Does anyone have any idea what authority gives HSI the ability to send emails ahead of my travel?
what up dudes, gonna be traveling again this time instead of Netherlands/norway or Germany, I’m headed to France. Anyone gotta any tips or success there?
I keep getting the feeling that once off registry I should initiate my travels via a Schengen country like Germany or France. Seems it will make other countries much more “comfortable” to enter without any possibility of some random notice. Any opinions?
Question regarding Ireland sex offense laws and their registry
Good evening all.
So, I am an Irish citizen on the sex offense registry here in the US. I am not a US citizen. I was planning of leaving the country due to the current political climate, traveling to Europe, staying in a country for a while, then returning to Ireland. Now, I am an Irish citizen, have an Irish passport, so that is not a problem. But researching the Irish laws, they say that you have to report when you get into the country. Can someone tell me how they’d know? Is the 21 day notice going out to every country? I know it goes to the destination of my flight from the US. But if I then go to Ireland, will I get flagged on entry?
Thanks in advance, I know this is a very specific question, and probably open to all of us guessing or interpreting the laws our own way.
Question regarding Ireland sex offense laws and their registry
Good morning all. I am an Irish citizen on the sex offense registry here in the US. I was planning on leaving the country due to the current political climate, traveling to Europe, staying in a country for a while, then returning to Ireland. Now, I am a citizen, have an Irish passport, so that is not a problem. But researching the Irish laws, they say that you have to report when you get into the country. Can someone tell me how they’d know? Is the 21 day notice going out to every country? I know it goes to the destination of my flight from the US. But if I then return home to Ireland, will I get flagged on entry?
Thanks in advance, I know this is a very specific question, and probably open to all of us guessing or interpreting the laws our own way.